Lebanon is feeling the effects of the ongoing civil war in Syria as violence has erupted between the Salafists and Alawites in the Lebanese city of Tripoli. When Hezbollah started playing a much more active role in Syria, it reopened old wounds back home in Lebanon. Now the fighting in Lebanon is taking on a similar appearance to that in Syria. The Sunni majority is once again fighting the Shiites, with backing on both sides from outside players.

In Tripoli in the north of Lebanon, residents are now finding themselves ducking for cover as sporadic machine gunfire and sniper shots ring out across the streets and from the rooftops. Fighting has erupted between the branch of Sunni Muslims known as Salafists, and the offshoot of Shiite Islam, the Alawites. The Salafists are backing the rebels in Syria, and the Alawites are supporting the Assad regime.

While there has always been a degree of hostility between the religious factions in Lebanon, the situation is escalating as both sides find themselves engaged in a proxy war. The Saudis have been accused of arming the Salafists in Lebanon in an attempt to undermine Hezbollah’s role in Syria. The National reported that in April Lebanese authorities intercepted a Tripoli-bound cargo ship carrying more than 100 tonnes of heavy armaments to Syrian opposition groups. The supporters of the Assad regime in Lebanon are being financed and armed by the Assad government in neighboring Syria.

Now they are focusing on Syria, the Salafists have the opportunity to weaken the Alawites without the worry of having to face the might of the military wing of Hezbollah. Hezbollah is making progress in Syria, almost single-handedly driving the rebels from the city of Qusair. Hezbollah is well trained and well armed. It has built its weapons stockpiles up over the years, and received training through experience by fighting Israel for the past 30 years.

No absolute gains have been made by either side, but the situation could prove to be a great advantage to the rebels in Syria. As the majority of the population in Tripoli is Sunni, Hezbollah might have to divert troops back to Lebanon to counter the Sunnis, which would force it to fight on two fronts. Tripoli could also serve as a link to the rebels in Syria, working as a new supply route now that the border town of Qusair is firmly back in the hands of government and Hezbollah forces. The rebel-controlled city of Homs is just to the north of Lebanon and could use the aid of a supply line should Hezbollah and the government make a move against it.

Lebanon is not the only nation that is experiencing turmoil as a result of the violence in Syria. Iraq is also experiencing heavy fighting between Sunni and Shiite groups. The month of May was the bloodiest since the U.S. withdrew its forces, claiming the lives of 1,045 Iraqis and injuring another 2,397, according to a United Nations report.

Despite the violence claiming so many lives in Iraq, the outcome will be decidedly different between the two nations. Iraq’s close proximity to Iran means that Iran will be unlikely to let the nation fall to a Sunni government. The Shiite government that is currently in place in Iraq has been making increased efforts to cozy up to its Shiite neighbors in Iran over the past few months. Lebanon, on the other hand, risks far more instability. If the government in Syria falls, Shiites in Lebanon will be effectively cut off from their allies in Iran and Iraq. Also, if Assad falls, the rebels will undoubtedly turn their sights on Hezbollah and Lebanon, which has played a crucial role in keeping Assad in power.

Now that Hezbollah is so active in Syria, to defeat Assad may not be enough. The rebels may find that they have to remove Hezbollah simultaneously. This could prove a challenge because of the military superiority and skill of Hezbollah. With outside help from parties such as the European Union, that outcome would be far more plausible.

We see terrifying events all around the world, and they are intensifying. But all that bad news is a sign of the best news mankind could possibly hear: The Messiah is about to come and save us! (Matthew 24:3, 21-22).

Ultimately, whether Syria falls to the rebels now or later, Bible prophecy says that both Syria and Lebanon will ultimately be broken from their alliance with Iran. Iraq on the other hand, will remain in the Iranian camp. Read the prophecy for yourself in Psalm 83, where it speaks of the nations that will be aligned against Iran. It makes mention of the Hagarenes—the people who once inhabited the land known today as Syria—and Gebal—the Lebanese. For more on this remarkable prophecy, and how it is a sign that real peace in the Middle East will soon be achieved, read “A Mysterious Prophecy.”