Iraq (MNN) — United States forces finished their withdrawal from Iraq on September 30th, ending a mission that began in 2014 to fight the Islamic State, or ISIS. 

Although ISIS is not at the same level it was in 2014 in Iraq, there are warning signs of its presence. Samuel with Redemptive Stories says ISIS has been gaining strength again, not only militarily but also by positioning itself as an advocate for Sunni Muslims.

“From the assessments of [others], the Sunni Muslim population is seeking more representation, justice, security, reconstruction, even compensation for families that lost their homes and their livelihoods back during that period of time,” says Samuel, referring to the years of divisions in Iraq since the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003.

Iraq (Photo courtesy of Jonathan Ramalho via Unsplash)

He continues, “The people that are advocating for that are actually ISIS. They’re beginning more and more of a foothold, particularly in areas that were once considered more Kurdish regional aspects.”

For example, Samuel says that the majority of the recent terrorist cells that have been broken up were in areas that historically were much more connected with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), the Peshmerga, and other Kurdish groups.

Iraq’s next generation is at stake. 

“[ISIS is] doing a better job of recruiting youth and giving them hope and a future and a vision for education and community belonging that was not there and is not there by the community at large,” Samuel says.

Because of the social justice thrust, he believes it will be difficult to eradicate or remove ISIS from the roots of Iraqi society. Yet the gospel remains the first mission of the Church. Although many Christians have left Iraq to live elsewhere, says Samuel, others remain. 

“[Emigration] has long-term effects on the Iraqi Christian population more so than I would say [its] ministry population, because I think that those [who] have a passion for seeing God’s kingdom built across the region will stay and they will fight the good fight,” Samuel says. 

Pray for strength and wisdom for Christians in Iraq. Pray that they would have the opportunity to connect with youth, many of whom “are disillusioned by the current government. They’re angry at the high levels of corruption that exist in the country,” says Samuel. 

“We really need ministries to build trust with those that look different than them, especially as ISIS is becoming more of a social organization — not to be afraid, but to walk in faithfulness, to model reconciliation.”

 

Header photo: A house destroyed by war with ISIS in Sinjar, Iraq. (Photo courtesy of Levi Meir Clancy/Unsplash)