Taliban conquests could embolden other extremist groups

Afghanistan (MNN) — The Taliban has nearly completed its conquest of Afghanistan after seizing Kabul. Only small parts of the country remain free from Taliban control. The former vice president of the country has declared himself the “legitimate caretaker president” and vowed to continue fighting the Taliban.

But Tom Atema of Heart for Lebanon worries this violence could embolden even more terrorist groups around the world to try the same thing, even in Lebanon. “With the Taliban crushing the government in Afghanistan without a shot being fired, now they are in total control of the country, and that’s given legitimacy to every terrorist group in the world.”

Christians in Afghanistan

Many Christian communities especially feel a threat from the Taliban. Atema has a lot of past experience with some of these churches. Unfortunately, he hasn’t heard from any of them recently. “I can’t contact them. Their email doesn’t get kicked back, it just kind of goes into a dark hole. They were very prominent. In that culture, we would call them outspoken. They were for their version of democracy. They were against the Taliban and the way they treated people.”

Pray for the safety of these believers. Most of all, pray Jesus would change hearts among the Taliban.

Refugees

Pray also for the safety of those fleeing the Taliban into surrounding countries. Several countries have vowed to house refugees from Afghanistan. Read more here.

Heart for Lebanon stands ready to do the same, but Atema says it will be a difficult journey for any to make it that far. “As of today, the Lebanese government will not accept Afghans directly. They need to go to Iran, then Iraq, or Syria, then to Lebanon.”

The header photo shows Taliban fighters in Afghanistan. (Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain)