Middle East (MNN) — In a recent turn of the ongoing U.S.-Iran war, the United States worked together with Saudi Arabia to strike Iran-backed extremist forces in Iraq. Saudi Arabia is reportedly gearing up for a major assault on the Houthis, an Iran-supported terror group in control of much of Yemen. Yet dialogue from Saudi Arabia to the United States suggests that the Gulf kingdom wants to avoid further escalation. Will Saudi Arabia take further significant action in the war? And why would Saudi Arabia help the U.S. attack one of its neighbors in the first place? 

Part of the reason goes back hundreds of years. Islam is primarily split into two sects: Sunni and Shia. After Muhammad died, there were disagreements about who should take his place as leader of the new Islamic community.

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One group argued that the community should elect the person most fit to rule and supported Abu Bakr, Muhammad’s close friend and advisor. Another group believed that leadership needed to stay within Muhammad’s family, and they argued that Ali, Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law, was the divinely appointed leader. 

The first group won the day, and they became known as Sunni Muslims. They constitute about 85 percent of Muslims today. The second group became known as Shia Muslims. Over time, this political split hardened into differing religious beliefs as well. 

Today, that split is the reason behind many of the complicated dynamics in the Middle East. Iran is the largest Shia Muslim nation and touts itself as the champion of Shia Muslims. They use the division to create regional coalitions. 

Rob with Middle East Concern says, “This religious identity helps connect the countries together. Sometimes it’s described as the Shia arc or the Shia crescent. Iran has tried to use these religious connections with the Shia demographic in these particular countries to act as their proxies in the region and to be able to strengthen their geopolitical influence.” 

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia is the dominant Sunni Muslim nation and uses that to heavily influence the region. The ancient religious split has been politically weaponized into axes of power and influence.

“The relationship between Iran and Saudi Arabia has always been very turbulent actually,” Rob says. 

This division also helps explain why Iran supports many Shia militias in Iraq, as well as groups such as Hamas and the Houthis. Iran funds paramilitary groups that help it threaten energy exports and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. It also helps explain why Saudi Arabia aligns with the U.S. and other Gulf nations to undermine Iran. However, Rob says that we cannot oversimplify the region. 

“I’m hearing from inside Iran, for example, that more and more people are turning to Christ,” Rob says. “There is a spiritual vacuum there and people are seeking after something that is much more substantial and that gives them a hope.” 

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Pray for the Middle East

Constant war brings great suffering to the Middle East, but it also opens new doors for ministry.

“We need to be able to adapt to the situation, and we need to be able to understand the signs of the times,” Rob says. 

There are so many prayer needs all around the region. Pray for Lebanon, and the fighting and displacement crisis going on there. Also for Syria, trying to rebuild on the heels of a brutal civil war and regime change. For Yemen, stuck in perpetual poverty and civil war. For an end to war in Israel and Iran. For Jordan, stuck in the middle. Every Middle Eastern nation, even those not listed here, needs your prayer. 

God commands us to care for the orphans and widows. Pray for the needy and displaced throughout the Middle East. Find out more about how Middle East Concern works to provide practical support for Christians and all people. Rob asks that we would pray for their ministry — that they would not lose perspective but instead keep their focus on the sovereignty of God.

Header image courtesy of Kafeel Ahmed on Pexels