[Field Story] 30 bodies found in former IS mass grave site in northern Syria… FBI search

Qatari authorities announced on the 12th that 30 bodies, presumed to have been killed by the extremist group 'Islamic State (IS)' militants, were found by a Qatari search team and the US FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) in a remote area of ​​Syria.

Qatari security agencies said that the FBI requested the search and that DNA genetic testing is underway to identify the bodies.

(omitted)

During IS's activities in eastern Syria and northwestern Iraq from 2013 to 2018 under the name of the caliphate, dozens of foreigners, including aid workers and journalists, were killed by IS. IS was driven out of almost all of its occupied territories by the end of 2017, and the coalition forces that defeated it declared its defeat in 2019.

Since then, graveyards and mass grave sites have been discovered in several places in northern Syria, containing the bodies of people kidnapped by IS.

(omitted)

In Syria, not only ISIS but also the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, who fled after 14 years of civil war at the end of last year, created many mass graves. Al-Assad mobilized notorious security and intelligence agencies to identify, kidnap, kill, and bury critics.

(omitted)

The UN estimated that 130,000 Syrians were kidnapped and disappeared by the Al-Assad regime in 2021.

Source: Newsis

“How long will you assault me? Would all of you throw me down— this leaning wall, this tottering fence? Surely they intend to topple me from my lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.” (Psalm 62:3-6)

In Syria, which has been in a dark period due to civil war and the tyranny of ISIS, we hear news that a mass grave has been discovered and that the identities of 30 bodies, presumed to have been killed, including foreigners, are being identified.

Please let the Syrian people know that neither ISIS nor the Al-Assad regime, which has been attacking people to kill them and falsely harassing the Syrian people in order to stand in high positions, will ultimately have eternal power.

In addition to the kidnappings by ISIS, may the Syrian people, who were fearful of being kidnapped or killed by those who criticized the regime of President Bashar al-Assad, be the rock, salvation, and fortress of the Lord.

May Jesus Christ, the eternal rock, take responsibility for the safety of the Syrian people and rule them with unshakable faith and peace.

In times like these, may the local Syrian church rise up and preach the gospel, proclaiming that they have been called as citizens of the eternal kingdom of God, and may every Syrian soul who hears quietly look to God alone and confess that hope comes from Christ.

May the global church also comfort the painful history of the Syrian people with the Lord’s love, help rebuild Syria, and pray and cooperate to see the revival of Syria again.

In this way, may the Syrian people restore the vision of the Arab high priest and fulfill the mission of turning Arabs and the nations to the Lord!