Extremists in northwest Africa have reportedly posted a "hit list" of Christian leaders online.

Greg Kelley from World Mission tells Voice of the Martyrs (VOTM) that extremists in the nation of Mauritania have essentially given militants "the green light" to hunt down Christians. He says the list is "a call to warfare."

VOTM reports that there are not many Christians in Mauritania to begin with. "One estimate suggests that the population is comprised of 400 to 1,000 ethnic Mauritanian Christians, along with a few thousand expatriate believers.

"In addition, there are strict laws against evangelization, and conversion from Islam is punishable by death."

Kelley and VOTM are asking Christians around the world to join in prayer for "each believer in Mauritania who is willing to take a stand for Christ amid such tremendous oppression, asking the Lord to grant them the wisdom, strength and courage they need daily to remain faithful to Him."