ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Syria’s Minister of Endowments, Mohammad Abu al-Khair Shukri, has issued a religious directive urging mosques across the country to celebrate what he described as “conquests and victories” by Damascus-aligned forces in eastern Syria - an apparent reference to ongoing clashes with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Hasaka and Raqqa.
In a letter dated January 18, Shukri called on imams nationwide to recite Qunut Nazilah during all five daily prayers and to pray for the success of Syrian Arab Army soldiers. The directive opens with verse six of Surah al-Anfal from the Holy Quran.
Qunut Nazilah is a special Islamic supplication traditionally recited during times of war, widespread calamity, or oppression, seeking divine intervention and relief.
The minister further instructed preachers to recite takbir and express what he termed “utmost joy” over the military gains achieved by Damascus-affiliated factions against Kurdish forces in northeastern Syria, also known as Rojava.
The reference to Anfal carries deep historical and symbolic weight.
While it is the eighth chapter of the Quran, meaning “The Spoils of War,” the term is also widely associated with the 1988 Anfal campaign carried out by the former Iraqi regime against Kurds in northern Iraq - a campaign marked by chemical attacks, mass killings, and widespread destruction.
The use of religious language describing “conquests” has raised concerns, as such terminology has historically been employed to justify military actions against perceived “disbelievers” under certain interpretations of Islamic law.
The statement comes amid rapid developments on the ground.
Over the past 24 hours, Damascus-aligned forces have reportedly made significant advances in eastern regions along the Euphrates River, including areas in Tabqa, Raqqa, and Deir ez-Zor.
According to documents obtained by the Kurdish-led SDF, the evolving situation has grown increasingly complex, with allegations of war crimes committed by Syrian government forces and affiliated armed groups.
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