The Seven Year War

It was in September 1980 that Iraq invaded neighbouring Iran, and seven years of conflict have left half a million soldiers killed in battle - 300,000 Iranians and 200,000 Iraqis. The tide of war has ebbed and flowed. Periods of relative inactivity have been followed by fresh initiatives on battle fronts or by air strikes. There has been immense loss of life because of fanatical religious zeal among Iranian Shi'ite Muslims, willing to die in what they see as a sacred crusade. This has made possible the Iranian strategy of launching "human waves" against fortified enemy positions, regardless of the human cost. Although enfeebled by illness at 87 years of age the Ayatollah Khomeini still casts a spell over his devotees, "speaking in fierce whispers over nationwide radio". Masses of young zealots passionately respond to Khomeini's boast that the Iranians will "march to Jerusalem by way of Baghdad".

This boast illustrates two basic motives underlying Iran's dogged determination to pursue such a costly war - hatred of Israel and hatred of the Sunni Muslims. The former attitude is of course shared by many Middle East governments, but it is expressed with bitter vehemence by Iran's aged ruler.

As to hatred of the Sunni Muslims, this has its roots far back in the history of Islam. Following Muhammed's death in AD 632 there was a fierce struggle for recognition as his successor. His son-in-law, Ali, claimed this right, but was assassinated. His son, Hussein, was in turn tortured and killed. But their followers venerated these leaders as martyrs and emerged as the Shi'ite sect of Islam, distinguished from the mainstream "Sunnis". Today there are 700 million Sunnis who dominate most Islamic areas, as against 90 million Shi'ites who rule Iran and are in a majority among the Muslims of Lebanon, Bairain and Iraq. Khomeini heads the fundamentalist Shi'ite cause, and his ambition is to see other fundamentalist Islam states established in Iraq and the Gulf States. The Sunni rulers of these countries are obviously opposing this ambition by all means in their power. Kuwait and Saudi Arabia have been especially supportive of Iraq during the seven-year war.

1987 has seen a deepening involvement of other nations in problems associated with the Iran-Iraq conflict. World dependence on oil supplies from the area has prompted naval protection for ships plying to and from the Persian Gulf. Russian, French, British and American naval vessels have been sent to the Gulf. Ostensibly they are protecting ships flying their respective flags, but there is also the vital strategic importance of the Gulf area very much in view. The Soviet Union recognizes the value of cultivating relations with Iran, a country which could provide the Soviets with a direct land route to the Gulf. The United States is apprehensive of any increased Soviet influence in the area. The whole situation is therefore charged with potential for widening conflict.

For the scripturally informed onlooker this drawing of major world powers towards fuller involvement in the Middle East holds special interest. The prophetic Word focuses attention on the Middle East scene at the time of the end. Israel will of course be central to the whole Situation, but the attitude of neighbouring countries and the involvement of great world powers will also be highly significant. Jeremiah was on one occasion sent by the Lord to the potter's house. He watched the potter at work and records that "when the vessel that he made of the clay was marred in the hand of the potter, he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it". From this illustration the Lord impressed on Jeremiah His sovereign dealings with all nations. The outcome of the Iraq-Iran war remains inconclusive, but the divine Potter is moulding the situation according to His own purposes in relation to the coming again of the Lord Jesus Christ. Only His personal advent will bring abiding peace in the Middle East or world-wide. Meantime as we feel saddened by the wastage of life and all other tragic accompaniments of war, we may fulfil our role of earnest prayer as enjoined in 1 Tim. 2:1-2.

"Then come, 0 Lord, to earth again,

Come, take Thy mighty power and reign;

Bid tumults, wars and conflicts cease,

Rule far and wide, Thou Prince of Peace".

unknown | Dec 1987
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