 Photo: CIA World Factbook |
France has taken decisive action by launching a military campaign against Islamist rebels that aggressively seized control of northern Mali last year. More recently, the militants have been trying to advance further into the south, posing danger to the Christians who were forced to flee to this area. With links to al-Qaeda, the rebels are also imposing a harsh version of sharia law in the territory.
Their attempted progression into southern Mali has sparked alarm. Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced: "Obviously we are very concerned about the situation, and the development of essentially an entire terrorist region is of grave concern to everybody in the international community." French foreign minister Laurent Fabius further explains that had France not intervened, there was a risk that the advance could result in "appalling consequences."
The Islamist takeover of northern Mali has already had a devastating impact on the Church in the region. Christians have been driven from their homes, and all church buildings in Gao and Timbuktu were destroyed. Many of the believers affected by the attacks fled to Bamako, where they have been living in refugee camps. There is added concern that if the militants were to advance further south, these refugees would be left with absolutely no safe haven in their homeland.
Let's uphold the estimated 330 Christian refugee families who are in need of food, shelter and medical care. May the Lord also minister His peace and comfort to these displaced believers, many of whom are anxious because they don't know whether some of their family members are alive or dead. Ask that His protection shield the innocent victims who may, through circumstances, be caught in the crossfire and that there will soon be a positive resolution to the conflict.
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