" If Ever We Needed Your Prayer It Is Now. "

[naomi24]

So says Canon Andrew White, of Baghdad's St George's Church, the only Anglican church in Iraq. ""Over a 1000 Iraqi troops were killed by them [IS] yesterday, things are so bad. As I said all the military air strikes are doing nothing. If ever we needed your prayer it is now."

The news comes amid reports that a Syrian terror group linked to Al-Qaeda is considering an alliance with IS militants. Militant group al-Nusra warned that countries taking part in the US-led effort were engaging in a war against Islam, calling for jihadists to target those involved.

I heard this on tonight's Channel 4 News. It made me weep for this sorry, sorry, world. What on earth is to be done?

[tonyav]

Prayers probably won't save them, however military air strikes may do.

[naomi24]

Sorry, I forgot to post the link.

http://www.channel4.com/news/islamic-state-group-militants-baghdad-iraq-us-raf-al-qaeda

He says military strikes aren't helping. This link says they are a mile from Baghdad, but the latest television news said something like 200 yards.

[agchristie]

Tony, if we take the canon's comments literally, air strikes will not be sufficient in itself. I'm sure that all the countries in the coalition have discussed the strategy in minute detail. It is going to be complex but we have to hope that the finer detail is exacting and makes a huge difference. One thing is for sure, they are in it for the long haul.

[jourdain2]

I don't know what to say. I've heard this man in his dignified, heartfelt and passionate statements. I'll pray - it may be heard - it's all I can do and that's what he asks for. These poor people are being targeted, let's be honest they are being slaughtered horribly and for nothing. It makes me weep also, naomi.
It will come too late for many, but right from the start it has been obvious that war has been declared on any opposition by ISIL. Experience has shown that air-strikes need follow-up. These poor, poor people............

[naomi24]

When I heard this yesterday I couldn't help thinking he'll be dead soon - either crucified or decapitated. Hopeless - and helpless to do anything to prevent it. :o(

[Gromit]

// Over a 1000 Iraqi troops were killed by IS yesterday //

I wonder if that figure includes the over 100 Iraqi troops were killed and many more injured when they were bombed by US airstrikes, on the same day?

.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDpzpJOunic&feature=youtube_gdata_player

[naomi24]

Gromit, where did your figures come from? I have no idea who those people are - I can't understand a word they're saying.

[youngmafbog]

Typical of GRomit to attack the West.

Why dont you go and live with some people you like Gromit if the West is that bad?

As for prayer, it is religious zealots that have caused all this!

[naomi24]

I don’t want to get into the religious argument here – I just found this so awful.

[Gromit]

// Does the US have the foggiest idea who their enemy is?

The real confusion began when the campaign moved on to Syria, a necessary step. Instead of just attacking Isis, the US also bombed Jabhat al-Nusra, affiliated to al-Qaeda but which had fought against Isis and was loosely allied with the “moderate” rebels whom the West is sponsoring. //

http://www.independent.co.uk/voices/comment/syrian-airstrikes-does-the-us-have-the-foggiest-idea-of-who-their-enemy-is-9763439.html

So, we are now bombing a group who are fighting IS.
The US' steategy is plain barmy.

[naomi24]

//So, we are now bombing a group who are fighting IS. //

... but who, nevertheless, also our enemy. I'll shed no tears for them.

[Gromit]

I not saying we should shed tears for them, I'm saying we should let them kill IS fighters, and save us the job.

[naomi24]

Gromit, I thought you were all for us taking action?

[Gromit]

I am all for us eradicating IS. If Al-nusra are doing that already, it seems a a bit daft to stop them. The more Al-nusra kill, the quicker the job of stopping IS. We do not have to be allied with them, but if their objectives are the same, then also targetting them seems to be an error.

[naomi24]

Gromit, at the moment, perhaps, but in their case our enemy's enemy is not our friend. I'm beginning to think we need to wipe the lot of them out.

[Khandro]

Don't say I didn't warn you, this is a Pandora's box we are opening, and sleepwalking into a new kind of war of apocalyptic proportions, - exactly what they (IS) want us to do.
Boots on the ground? yes, but on UK soil.

[Svejk]

I cant believe Cameron is still alienating Assad. It seems like madness to me.

[naomi24]

Khandro, With the mind-set we're facing, now or later it is inevitable.

[Zacs-Master]

Naomi, I'm slightly surprised by your sympathy for Canon White. I thought you would be saying 'If he didn't believe in religion and all its stupidity, he wouldn't be in that situation'.

[naomi24]

Perhaps you don't know me very well, zacs.