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Syria

• Further Assyrian Hostages Released by ISIS

  
  Some of the 43 hostages released
  after their year-long captivity.

  Islamic militants released a group of 43 Assyrian Christians on February 23rd, after holding the men, women and children hostage for a year. Those released, many of whom are under 10 years of age, are now reunited with their families. Although there are still hostages in the southwestern region of Syria, this final release of the Hasakah province hostages is an immense blessing to the Assyrian Christians who have been tormented by their loved ones' kidnappings.

  In February of 2015, ISIS overran dozens of villages along the Khabur River, taking 253 Christians hostage and demanding ransom payments in exchange for their release. Thankfully, the Islamic State-affiliated group in Hasakah has been working through negotiations with the Assyrian Church of the East to secure the hostage release.

  Another large group of Assyrian Christians from Qaryatain was abducted last August, and while some have been released, 179 are still in captivity. During the fall of last year, ISIS militants released a video showing the execution of three Assyrian Christian men, while making high ransom demands for the release of the remaining hostages. Previous reports on the critical situation in Syria are available here.

  In addition to praising God for His intervention on behalf of the newly released hostages, we can also rejoice with the many families that have been joyfully reunited after their year-long separation. May they receive the Lord's healing and restoration after such a lengthy ordeal. Please continue to pray for all the hostages remaining in captivity, that they will also be protected, strengthened and eventually freed from the control of their captors. Let's also remember the numerous Syrians who have been displaced due to last year's ISIS attacks on their villages. May they receive His clear direction and miraculous provision for their every need.

• More Christian Hostages Freed from Captivity

  After months of negotiations with the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group, small groups of Assyrian Christian hostages have been released. One of the most recent of those released consisted of ten Assyrian Christians, including five women, who were freed from captivity on the night of November 24th in Tel Temir town, Hasakah province. These Assyrians were part of a mass abduction that took place in February, numbering more than 200 captured victims, when the Islamic militants attacked various villages along the Khabur river valley. The February raids had also driven another 3,000 Assyrians from the villages. To date, most of them have not returned home.

  "The total number of those released since the start of negotiations has reached 98, mostly the sick and elderly," claims the Assyrian Network for Human Rights. The Assyrian International News Agency reports that 158 Assyrians from Khabur are still in captivity. Other Assyrian hostages are in the custody of ISIS elsewhere, including the 185 hostages who were seized from Qaryatain.

  Unfortunately, many Assyrians have been unable to pay the hefty ransoms demanded by ISIS. In October, when negotiators failed to secure a $12 million settlement, the terrorists threatened to kill all the hostages. Further negotiations to release the hostages are in progress, but details are being withheld due to the "gravity and sensitivity of the situation," according to Osama Edward, director of the Assyrian Network for Human Rights. Concerns for the lives of the remaining hostages persist, as members of ISIS have expressed a willingness to follow through on their threats. More information on the crisis in Syria is available at the Syria Country Report.

  While we can thank the Lord for the safe return of the hostages who have been released thus far, please join us in praying for the protection of those still being held in captivity. Also pray for God's wisdom and guidance to be granted to the negotiators who are carefully mediating on behalf of the remaining victims. May these negotiators be blessed with further success. In the midst of this terrible crisis, where so many innocent lives are on the line, ask the Lord to provide continued comfort, strength and encouragement to all the hostages and their distraught loved ones. Last, but not least, intercede for the members of ISIS who themselves are in bondage spiritually. In addition to the diminished expansion and influence of this terrorist group, may a great number of them experience the salvation and freedom that take place when encountering the Risen Saviour.

• Additional Assyrian Christians Released!

  Assyrian hostages freed by ISIS arrive in Tel Tamar, Syria. Photo: AINA

  Members of the Islamic State (ISIS) terrorist group have released another 37 Assyrian Christians who had been kidnapped nine months ago. Those freed on November 7th -- including men and women in their 60s and 70s -- were among the 253 Christians snatched during ISIS attacks on Assyrian villages in Syria's northeastern Hasaka province. Thankfully, the newly released hostages arrived safely at the local town of Tel Tamar.

  Negotiations to release the captives had taken place between the Assyrian Church of the East and ISIS. The terrorist group had previously demanded about $100,000 for each hostage. Further negotiations are understood to be "underway," sources report.

  On October 7th, ISIS had released a video of its militants killing three Assyrian hostages, while threatening to kill more if demands were not met. The terrorist group is still holding captive an estimated 168 other Hasaka Christians, as well as 185 Assyrians who were abducted from the town of Qaryatain in western Syria's Homs province during the first week of August. Islamic State's countless acts of violence have particularly targeted religious minorities. Reported abuses include murders and sexual enslavement. For previous reports and informative video footage, go to the Syria Country Report.

  Thank the Lord for delivering these believers from their captors, asking Him to make a way for many more victims to safely escape or be released. Pray that He will also minister complete physical, emotional and spiritual healing to each of the abducted Christians. May they have the grace and supernatural enabling to forgive and intercede on behalf of the terrorists who had restrained and possibly abused them. Ask the Lord to continue the great outpouring of His Spirit upon the inhabitants of both beleaguered nations -- Syria and Iraq -- so that there may be unprecedented church growth in the Middle East.

• Crisis Continues for Persecuted Christians

  Pray for the protection and provision of refugees from the Middle East. Photo: Flickr / Bengin Ahmad (cc)

  A mass migration is still underway as Syrians stream into Europe via Turkey. The crisis is lessening Syria's prospects for reconstruction and devastating its church. While multitudes of Christian youths and families are understandably desperate to leave the Middle East, their pastors and priests are longing for them to stay -- something they will understandably not do without security.

  In any conflict, the wealthy are the first to flee. Then, as life becomes intolerable, the middle class flee across borders into camps where they wait, in hopes that the fighting will end and they will be able to return to their homes and businesses. When the fighting doesn't end, they seek alternatives, including the services of people smugglers. Lacking resources, the poor have little choice but to stay and watch their children grow up traumatized, brutalized, and without stable education.

  Several of the refugee camps are much too dangerous for religious minorities. Consequently, most Christians hope to obtain refuge in monasteries, churches, Christian schools and other suitable buildings. Thus the local church carries the burden, explains Elizabeth Kendall in her informative report for RLPB. The global church needs to share this load and send necessary aid to those caring for refugees, she further informs, but only through recognized Christian agencies.

  The crisis facing followers of Christianity in the Middle East is existential. Of course, Christian families should be rescued. Yet, ideally, a safe haven needs to be established in the historic Christian heartland where believers can preserve their heritage and culture, worship freely and educate their children with liberty and security. The Assyrian hope for this to eventually be fulfilled lives on... fuelled by faith and rooted in the promise of God as found in Isaiah 19:23-25. May the Lord intervene for the persecuted people of the Middle East while continuing to build His persevering church. Additional reports on the crisis in Syria can be found at our Syria Country Report.

  Pray specifically that the 'Lord of Hosts' will intervene mightily on behalf of each imperilled believer in Syria and all surrounding Middle Eastern countries. Request that He secure justice and liberty for His precious people, provide those requiring rescue the assistance and means to do so, while also making it possible for others who want to stay in their homeland the option of having a safe sanctuary within their own country. Ask Him to provide for each church, monastery and organization that's tirelessly sheltering and caring for the multitudes of Christian refugees, enabling them to raise the necessary funds and give a voice to the voiceless. May the Holy Spirit flood the hearts of all pastors, priests and Christian workers across the Middle East with His love, grace and comfort -- so their faith would remain strong and their hope will not fade.

  Do not miss the opportunity to pray on behalf of the persecuted church with fellow believers around the world on Sunday, November 8th. For more information on this year's International Day of Prayer and how you can participate, please go to this page. Be sure to share this information with others of your church and prayer group.

• Abducted Christian Leader Released from Captivity!

  Pray for peace in Syria. Flickr / Freedom House (cc)

  We are pleased to report that Father Jacques Mourad was safely released on October 10th. The Syrian priest had been abducted by members of Islamic State (ISIS) on May 21st during a raid on the Mar Elian monastery in Qaryatain, Homs. Although the circumstances leading to his release are not yet known, contacts in Damascus have confirmed that he is in good health and expected to travel to Syria's capital soon. Following his release, Fr. Mourad attended a worship service in a town close to Homs.

  In early August, ISIS seized control of Qaryatain and took additional Christian hostages. (More about this can be found at this page.) Evidence emerged on August 20th that the Mar Elian monastery had been destroyed. On October 1st, a separate ISIS video emerged, purportedly showing a gathering in August of more than 50 Christian men in Qaryatain. The video shows the men signing a contract undertaking to pay the 'jizya' subjugation tax to ISIS and refrain from all public expressions of non-Islamic worship. According to separate reports, an Assyrian Christian, Fahid Khazaal, was executed by ISIS in September for refusing to accept their conditions.

  Additional atrocities, including the recent execution of three other Assyrian Christians, have led to heightened concerns for the approximately 200 remaining believers still being detained by ISIS. (Last week's report on the execution of the three men can be found at this page.) Syrian Christians are requesting renewed prayer for peace in their land and for all who are affected by the ongoing violence.

  In accordance to Psalm 100, let us enter God's gates with thanksgiving and into His courts with praise, for He alone is worthy of our worship. We specifically thank Him for the safe release of Fr. Mourad and others who were once held captive by the ISIS terrorists. May they experience the Lord's restoration, guidance and wisdom after such a trying ordeal, while acknowledging Him for their newly regained freedom. We pray that their release will precipitate the freedom of the many others who were abducted and, at this very moment, in need of His presence and protection. Ask the Lord to also minister encouragement and comfort to their loved ones, and to ultimately reveal His sovereignty and majesty among the suffering people of Syria -- not to mention those who are instigating the terror so they, too, can acknowledge Him as Lord over all!

• Islamic State Executes Three Christians

  Pray for the grieving families of these three men. Photo: AINA

  The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reports that three Christians, who were part of a large group held captive by Islamic State (ISIS) earlier this year, have been executed. The terrorist group released a video about a week ago showing Dr. Abdelmassih Enwiya, Bassam Issa Michael and Assur Rustam Abraham wearing orange jumpsuits. A Syrian evangelical leader paid tribute to the three martyred Christians, describing the doctor as "a great man of God who took a risk by staying in his village to take care of his people and encourage them in the Lord."

  The men had been held since February when ISIS abducted over 230 Christians following dawn raids on their settlements in the northeast of Syria. While the group has periodically released elderly prisoners, more than 200 people are remaining in captivity. According to news reports, ISIS is demanding ransoms of around $50,000 per hostage for the release of each prisoner, threatening to execute remaining hostages if their ransoms are not paid.

  Syrian Christians have been targeted by militant Islamist jihadi groups since the outbreak of the civil war in 2011, resulting in numerous believers being killed or forced to flee their homes. In many cases, those who have remained -- often the elderly and disabled -- have been ordered to either convert to Islam or pay a religious tax (referred to as "jizya"). In March, a total of 23 Christians were released after paying the religious tax. For additional reports revealing the extremely trying conditions facing believers in this part of the world, go to the Syria Country Report.

  Please uphold those who have tragically lost loved ones at the hands of ISIS, asking that they be greatly comforted and filled with joy at the prospect of seeing them again at the coming of our Lord Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:15-18). Pray for an end to the violence perpetrated by members of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. Ask God to also minister comfort and protection to the remaining hostages, in response to their pleas for help and deliverance from their captors. May the militants responsible for the murder and abduction of multitudes of innocent civilians be convicted of their sin, turning to the Lord for mercy, forgiveness and salvation.

• Islamic State Abducts Hundreds Following Capture of Town

  Islamic State (IS/ISIS) militants have recently captured hundreds of unsuspecting Syrians after seizing the strategically located town of Qaryatain -- located in the central Syrian province of Homs -- on Friday, August 7th. At least 230 people were kidnapped or detained, including dozens of Christians, some of whom were taken from the Dar Alyan monastery.

  Among those seized were 45 women and 19 children, including 11 families. A number of the abducted victims were on a list of persons suspected by the militant group of "collaborating with the regime." The families of hundreds of Christian and Muslim residents from Qaryatain have lost contact with their abducted loved ones since ISIS militants captured the area. There are concerns that the militant group may also target other Christian population centres in Hawwarin and Sadad.

  Towns like Qaryatain are susceptible because they are located along the Damascus-Homs Highway, a route used to ferry supplies and fighters. The Syrian army launched a large-scale counter offensive to recapture the city, which lies in a region where some of Syria's largest gas fields are located, but so far has made no significant advances.

  This past February, the hardline jihadists abducted at least 250 Assyrian Christians, the majority of whom were women and children, during raids on villages in northeastern Syria. The fate of many remains unclear, as is the outcome of numerous priests who had gone missing and are believed to still be in captivity. For a previous report on the February 2015 incident, you may click here.

  Pray for the Lord to strengthen, protect and uphold the alarming number of Syrians who are being forcefully held captive by ISIS militants. May they not despair but trust explicitly in Him during this time of urgent crisis. Pray that He will miraculously provide deliverance from their captors, reuniting them with their distraught loved ones. May the suffering that's being experienced by so many victims and their families somehow be used for ultimate good and greater blessing (Romans 8:28), also serving to open the spiritual eyes of multitudes in the Middle East and around the world who are in desperate need of our Lord's salvation -- including the members of Islamic State.

• Call to Prayer for Christian Refugees

  VOM is distributing practical and spiritual aid.

  On Saturday, July 4th, an Iraqi Franciscan priest, Fr. Dhiya Aziz, was abducted by militants in Yacoubieh, Idlib province, which is located in northwest Syria. The area is presently under the control of Jabhat al-Nusra, a terrorist group with links to al-Qaeda. Thankfully, more recent reports indicate that he has since been safely released.

  However, prior to the abduction, advances by Islamic State terrorists took place in the northeastern Syrian city of Hasaka on June 24th. This has resulted in further mass displacement of refugees, including Assyrian Christian families who had sought refuge in the city just this past February.

  Christian leaders in the Middle East are now calling for renewed and urgent prayers for peace. Some feel frustrated by what they perceive as lack of support from the church in the West. Patriarch Louis Sako of Baghdad recently stated, "We feel forgotten and isolated."

  Please uphold our Christian brothers and sisters in the Middle East who are under mounting pressure from Islamist terrorists. Ask our Almighty God to continue strengthening His dedicated servants as they provide needed relief to the tremendous number of displaced refugees in this part of the world. In keeping with our Lord's desire for all humanity, may there be an end to the violence and bloodshed so that His love and peace can reign supreme -- not only politically but, most importantly, in the hearts of those He so lovingly created.

• Christ-Followers Living in a Battle Zone

  Syrian women praying with a VOMC worker.

  Intense fighting between Islamic State (IS) militants and government forces erupted on May 4th in Damascus, prompting media outlets to warn Christians living in the area to evacuate immediately.

  Government forces have since employed air assaults and armoured tanks to fight the militants, making it extremely dangerous for those living in the immediate area. Last month, it was reported that IS had moved into a part of Damascus that is less than a mile from several Christian neighbourhoods.

  A VOM contact, whose family lives in the area, has requested prayer for the many believers residing there. "They can't go anywhere at this point," he explained. "Pray for the safety of our family and churches all over Damascus and Syria."

  Please join our brother-in-Christ by praying for the persecuted church in Syria, specifically asking God to shield each believer from resulting danger or harm. May those who have recently fled from Damascus soon find safe havens in which to live. For others who must remain in the war-torn city, pray that they will entrust themselves and their loved ones entirely to our faithful Lord. Despite the present bleakness in this beleaguered area of the world, ask that the Holy Spirit will minister daily to Syria's suffering Christians, while also moving mightily in the hearts of those who do not yet know Jesus as their Saviour and Lord.

• Concern Continues for Abducted Christians

  Nineteen Assyrian Christians who were captured recently by members of the Islamic State (ISIS) militant group have thankfully been released. The believers were freed on March 1st. According to sources, an Islamic court may have ordered their release after "tax payments" were made on their behalf.

  The released believers were seized along with more than 200 other Christians on February 23rd in Hassaka Governorate -- an area in which there are approximately 35 predominately Christian villages. During the assault, over a thousand Christians were forced to flee their homes to escape the militants. Grave concerns remain for the hundreds of Christ-followers who are still being held by ISIS.

  Let us first thank the Lord for the safe release of these 19 Christians! Pray that He will now heal and restore each one of them after experiencing this horrifying ordeal. May the others who have been kidnapped also soon be released. Until that time, ask that their hearts be shielded from fear or doubt. Pray also that the abducted believers will serve as effective witnesses of the Gospel to their captors, so that many of the militants will come to know Jesus Christ as their own Saviour and Lord.