When the Islamic State group began their blitzkrieg-like invasion of Iraq, the American-trained and equipped Iraqi Army dropped its weapons, abandoned its equipment, and fled in the face of the terror army.
Fortunately, through the determined perseverance of the Kurds and a variety of militia groups that have sprung up throughout Iraq numbering over 100,000 fighters strong, the advance of the Islamic State group was more or less halted.
One of those many militias opposing the Islamist militants is one composed wholly of Iraqi Christians. It’s known as the Babylon Brigade and led by a man named Rayan al-Kildani, according to the BBC.
Kildani said that the Islamic State group jihadists are “the devil” for the atrocities they have committed against Christians and other minorities in Iraq and Syria.
You'll be hearing a lot more about these guys: #BabylonBrigade is Christian militia group defending the persecuted https://t.co/E8lZaCtXDO
— Faithkeepers (@faithkeepersmov) April 13, 2016
He went on to call his group of fighters the “first Christian power in Iraqi history,” and proudly pointed out that “We fight side by side with the Muslim militias,” most of which are composed of Shi’ite and non-extremist Sunnis opposed to the tyrannically devout Islamic State group.
https://youtu.be/5gYvcj09yTM
Kildani justified his group’s taking up of arms by stating: “I know the Bible says that if you get hit on one cheek you should offer the other. But we have really good defense forces now. No one is going to do anything bad to the Christians.”
“Some Christians had their homes taken over,” he continued. “I have personally been to those houses to tell the new people living there to get out. Christian suffering is over.”
When pressed about the Biblical commandant that “Thou shalt not kill,” Kildani merely replied, “We have to fight. We have to defend ourselves.”
He proceeded to reference a passage from Luke 22, saying, “Jesus himself told us that if you don’t have a sword you should go out and buy one.”
Though there may be a theological debate over whether Jesus telling his disciples to sell their cloak to buy a sword was simply a methaphor, Kildani and his men have taken the Scripture quite literally, as their very existence seemingly depends upon them doing so.
In truth, this Christian militia seems to be more in line with the Old Testament passage from Leviticus which called for “an eye for an eye” as punishment for those who have done wrong, a sentiment recently endorsed by billionaire businessman and GOP presidential front-runner Donald Trump.
If Trump ultimately wins the election and becomes President Trump, it is a fairly safe bet that this Christian militia, along with the others scattered about the country, will receive the full backing and support of the U.S. government and military in their efforts to defeat the radical jihadists threatening their country, if not the entire globe.
H/T Christian Daily
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