[Today's Prayer] Clashes between government forces and Kurdish forces in northern Syria... casualties surge as both sides agree to a ceasefire

On the 22nd (local time), AFP and Reuters reported that at least three people were killed and dozens injured in clashes between government forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Aleppo, northern Syria.

After the clashes, both sides agreed to a ceasefire, but tensions remain over the integration of the SDF into the government forces, which Turkey accuses the SDF of refusing to do.

(Excerpt)

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Çavuşoğlu said at a press conference after meeting with Syrian Interim President Ahmed Jarba in Damascus on the same day that "it is important for the SDF to be integrated into the Syrian government through transparent dialogue and reconciliation," adding that "they should not become an obstacle to the integration of Syrian territory and long-term stability."

However, he also accused the SDF of not having the intention to integrate into the government forces, as they announced their agreement to do so in March last year.

Since the overthrow of the dictatorial regime of Bashar al-Assad and the establishment of a new government in Syria in December last year, the SDF and the government forces have been engaged in continuous clashes.

(End)

Source: Yonhap News

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid. (John 14:27)

We hear news that on the 22nd, armed clashes broke out in Aleppo, northern Syria, between government forces and the Kurdish armed group Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), resulting in at least three deaths and dozens of injuries, with casualties continuing to rise.

We also hear that on that day, two civilians were killed and eight were injured due to shelling, and among the injured were two children and two civil defense personnel.

God, please bring a swift end to this conflict that causes countless casualties and leads even innocent children, who have nothing to do with it, to their deaths. In this situation of conflict that seems as though it will never end, please comfort the Kurdish people who tremble in fear and suffer in pain.

Lord, they are unable to forgive one another or reconcile, and instead raise their voices, claiming that the cause of this clash lies with the other side. Even though an agreement was signed last March to integrate the Syrian Democratic Forces into the government forces, the ongoing conflict in this land does not cease. The only one who can put an end to this conflict and grant eternal peace is Jesus Christ alone. May the peace that the world cannot give come upon both peoples, and may they become peoples who are united in the name of Jesus Christ.

Even now, among the Kurdish people who tremble in fear at the thought that they may lose their lives at any moment, please raise up harvest workers from the global Church who will proclaim the name of Jesus Christ, our eternal peace.And thus, may the Kurdish people rise up as God’s holy army, not anxious and not afraid even in the face of death!