Syria (MNN) – While the world watches Iran, events in nearby Syria continue to shape that country’s political and religious landscape. Nuna Matar of Triumphant Mercy Lebanon says the growing influence of ISIS-affiliates cannot be ignored.
Despite the absence of a formalized, structured group, individual ISIS affiliates are a burgeoning force – many of them fleeing open prisons amidst the military’s ongoing conflict with Kurdish forces.
BACKGROUND
During his first term, President Trump helped arm Kurdish fighters opposing ISIS in Syria, which resulted in Kurdish forces taking ground and captives. Since the 2024 overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, Kurdish fighters have lost ground and seen the resurgence of ISIS affiliates.
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa has given verbal assent to the protection of minority groups and has decried the rise of ISIS, as Syrians wrestle with his recent history of conflicting courses of action.
A gathering of the people and residents of Daraa city in Al-Karama and Al-Hurriya Square after the fall of Bashar Al-Assad. Courtesy of Mahmoud Sulaiman via Unsplash.
CURRENT OUTLOOK IN SYRIA
“The reality is that on the ground, there are many pockets of ISIS people that are doing whatever they want to do,” Matar says. “So they enter into a church, and they tell people inside the church to convert to Islam. So it’s very direct and very strong.”
Matar says there’s no restraint. On the street, in schools, and in churches: people are calling anyone and everyone to convert to radical Islam.
“Many are being kidnapped. Many are being forced to close shops. Even now, there is a rule that if you eat during the fast month – the Ramadan month – if you eat on the street, you can be taken to prison for two or three months,” she points out.
In that sense, Matar sees Syria rapidly becoming more Islamic. ISIS is driving the change, striking fear into Syrian hearts.
“Whether it is humanitarian or even just normal jobs, they’re afraid that someone is going to come and close their shop or burn their shop or just come and disrupt the business,” she says.
HOW THIS AFFECTS REFUGEES
Reports of difficulty within the country discourage the world’s 3 million Syrian refugees, more than 500,000 of whom reside in Lebanon, from returning home.
“It’s very hard for them to go back to a Syria that is becoming more indoctrinated than ever,” says Matar.
On the flip side, she notes that refugees in Lebanon have seen the fruit of communities living in unity and freedom.
“They’ve seen a liberty of even expressing your feelings or expressing your ideas about politics or whatever they want to talk about. In Syria it’s not the same.”
And while the contrast is enough to squelch the number of Syrian homecomings, the mix of religious affiliation in Syria makes it hard for any one Islamic group to establish a caliphate there. Instead, the country exists in tension, as ISIS affiliates push back against the current president’s apparent move toward alliances with the US and Israel.
In the meantime, Matar says Lebanon’s infrastructure cannot support the long-term resettlement of Syrian refugees. Matar and her teammates are encouraging refugees to consider returning to the pockets of Syria that remain relatively peaceful. Ministry workers at Triumphant Mercy Lebanon point people to the Lord along the way, reminding refugees of His power and presence that transcends and transforms our circumstances.
Syrian refugees. Courtesy of Salah Darwish via Unsplash.
HOW YOU CAN PRAY
Please pray for Syrians embattled by their country’s conflict: both those at home and those abroad. Pray for wisdom and perseverance as families seek out the best courses of action during this time.
Pray for resolution amidst warring sects, religious and political, and for peace to be established in Syria.
Pray for Triumphant Mercy Lebanon and other ministries serving Syrian refugees. Ask the Lord to provide resources, personnel, and most of all opportunities to share the Gospel with those around them.
Featured photo courtesy of Salah Darwish via Unsplash.
