A campaign of mass arrests initiated by Eritrean authorities in late November has now reached the capital city of Asmara, leading to the detention of approximately 100 Christians including men, women and children from a variety of denominations, according to a December 18 report from Christian Solidarity Worldwide. The wave of house arrests began in northern Eritrean cities and moved to southern regions before reaching the capital on December 12. Some of the detained Christians were reportedly transferred to a military facility and were severely mistreated. Local sources indicate that an unspecified number may have died due to untreated injuries sustained in detention.
Pray for the release of those detained. Ask God to comfort those who have lost loved ones. Pray that Eritrean Christians will continue to follow Christ's example of faithfulness at great cost (1 Peter 2:21). Pray that Eritrea's leaders will repent and come to faith in Christ.
For more information on the continuing persecution of Christians in Eritrea, go to the Eritrea Country Report.
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