Syria (MNN) — Integrate or separate? The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) control much of northeast Syria. Back in March, they signed a tentative deal with Syria’s president about one day integrating into the national army. But talks have since stalled. 

In the bigger picture, Kurds are a stateless people. Millions live across parts of Turkiye, Syria, Iran, and Iraq alone, with many more across Europe. 

“They’ve always longed for their own state, but it has not been allowed by the governments that own those lands,” Samuel* with Redemptive Stories explains. “I think their end goal is to create a state for themselves, to live freely as a people, to not be oppressed as a minority.” 

He continues: “The northern swath of Iraq — which is one of probably the most recognized Kurdish bases, Iraqi Kurdistan — still is not its own state. It’s just basically [a governorate] within the context of Iraq.” 

Politics aside, Samuel says many churches have been planted in the Kurdish-controlled region of Syria, called the Rojava.

“Kurdistan” means “the land of Kurds”. Originally this designated a region of Western Iran. This map extends the concept to cover the greater region with any significant Kurdish population and encompasses parts of Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.
(Wikimedia Commons)

“During the Syrian crisis in particular, there’s been a huge movement of the gospel among Syrian Kurds,” he said. 

While Iraqi Kurds strongly identify as Muslims, it’s not the same for Syrian Kurds. “That identity of Islam is far less than their identity as Kurds, and so for them to abandon Islam in order to follow Jesus, it’s less of a huge step,” he said. “Many are coming to faith. That’s happening online. It’s happening in person.”

If Kurdish armed forces integrate with Syria’s new government forces, Syria could see greater stability. But the new government has a track record of persecuting minorities. This could prove to be devastating to Kurds in the region, including Christians.

“If they are forced to lay control back to Damascus, then there [are] deep concerns that persecution will increase —  persecution that could be just ethnic in nature, but then also spiritual persecution,” said Samuel. 

Please pray for God’s peace and mercy in this unfolding situation. Pray for bold gospel witness from Kurdish believers in Christ no matter what happens. 

“Pray for God’s peace in the midst of that, pray that His faithfulness will continue to go forth. Pray for our brothers and sisters that are from a Muslim background [who] are working in that space [in Syria],” said Samuel.

 

*Pseudonym

Header photo: Sipan Hamo (Sîpan Hemo), general commander of the People’s Defense Units (YPG) and a member of the general command of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). (Photo courtesy of YPG Press Office – “Nirxandinên endamê fermandariya QSDê Sîpan Hemo li ser Şehîd Nûreddîn Sofî”, YouTube, CC BY 3.0)