‘We just want a normal life’ – dark skies over Iraq

The conflict endured by the Iranian people is also having a significant impact beyond its borders, with citizens in Iraq amongst those bearing the brunt of the war. Please lift them in your prayers.

Since Saturday 28 February, the Middle East has been shaken by airstrikes from Israel and the US with return fire from Iran. Caught in the crossfire are many citizens in Iraq and elsewhere, nations that were very quickly drawn into the conflict currently shaking the region.  

Much of the disruption is concentrated around the city of Erbil and drones have been intercepted as they flew over its streets. Repeated blasts have resounded across the city, coming from the airport and north east of Erbil where a military airbase resides. Authorities are urging residents to stay inside, away from potential falling debris. Several reports have detailed fragments falling onto the streets and buildings in Erbil.  

Fear is mounting with rapidity amongst families. One Christian woman, Rozy, says, “We jump at every bang now, and my kids run to me when the windows shake. We don’t know how long this will take.” 

Reopening old wounds 

Iraq is no stranger to war and nor is its small population of believers, who make up 0.4% of the population. Time and again, Christians have either been specifically targeted or left especially vulnerable in the wake of other crises. Many have felt forced to flee their homeland to find safer dwellings in the past – now, even more Christians are considering leaving Iraq because of the conflict. Believers have historically been targeted in times of insecurity because of their faith, sometimes being perceived as ‘allies of the West’. Many feel exposed, fearful of the damage the unrest could do to both their homes and their freedom. 

Since previous conflicts, the nation has been making progress on ensuring consistent electrical power for its inhabitants. However, there have been major setbacks in this progress, especially in the Kurdistan region. Residents are reporting more than 12 hours of electricity cut in the daytime, whilst schools and universities have been closed. 

“We don’t have electricity for hours and hours. It makes everything worse,” one believer says. “I keep the phone at 100% because I don’t know when the lights will go.” 

Omta, a Christian, shares his observations as fear increasingly sways the actions of neighbours and citizens. “People are buying in bulk. We don’t want to run out. The gas lines are long. We wait and worry it will run out,” he says. “This is déjà vu for us older people. It brings back old memories we want to forget. We lived through war, and now our children and grandchildren are also going through it.” 

Prayers for silent skies 

The unrest continues to press on the relative safety and peace of Iraq’s inhabitants, as well as other countries across the region. Iraqi militias have also joined in the conflict, compounding the insecurity felt by many. Elsewhere, the effects bear on Iraq’s travel and trade, stranding travellers and delaying shipments. 

“I don’t want to raise my family in a place where the sky is always dangerous. We’re really frightened, especially the children,” one believer, Lina, says. 

Another woman, Yohana, expresses her hopes and fears: “Every time we think we have calm, a new wave begins. We just want normal life. We want our kids to sleep without fear. We want the lights on, the shops open, and the sky silent.” 

Please continue to stand with our brothers and sisters in prayer, as well as with all those affected by the conflict in Iraq, Iran and across the Middle East.