Iraq's dangerous trigger line
The Economist published an article online today titled "Iraq's dangerous trigger line; too late to keep the peace?" The article describes a "fortified line" snaking across northern Iraq, separating "Kurdish forces, known as the Peshmerga, keen to relaim land taken from them by Saddam Hussein more than two decades ago", and "Iraqi regular-army troops sent by the central government in Baghdad to stop ancient cities along the Tigris river falling into what it fears may become purely Kurdish sphere."

The article goes on to describe several small skirmishes that could have "easily spark(ed) a wider conflict." The standoff between the two forces along a "trigger line", the article claims, "is now the biggest threat to Iraq's stability."



Amazingly, Jeremiah's prophecy of doom on Babylon explicitly mentions this "trigger line" -- "I am going to arouse and bring against Babylon a horde of great nations from the land of the north, and they will draw up battle lines against her; from there she will be taken captive" (Jer. 50:9).

The conflict between the two sides is inevitable, according to the prophecy: "The LORD has aroused the spirit of the kings of the Medes [modern-day Kurds], because his purpose is against Babylon [modern-day Iraq] to destroy it; for it is the vengeance of the LORD, vengeance for his (dwelling place [i.e., Israel])" Jer 51:11.

But first the cities must burn, and then the coalition forces must abandon Iraq. Then the battle can begin in earnest. And then the plundering, then the flood, then the drought. And Babylon shall become a complete desolation, where neither man nor beast dwells forevermore.