{"id":269,"date":"2015-01-10T03:18:19","date_gmt":"2015-01-10T03:18:19","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.raqqa-sl.com\/en\/?p=269"},"modified":"2015-01-10T03:18:19","modified_gmt":"2015-01-10T03:18:19","slug":"day-life-ar-raqqa-abu-ibrahim-ar-raqqawis-question-answer-session","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.raqqa-sl.com\/en\/?p=269","title":{"rendered":"A Day in the Life of Ar-Raqqa: Abu Ibrahim Ar-Raqqawi\u2019s question and answer session"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"89\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Tahrir Souri will be holding weekly question and answer sessions with various activists and residents\u00a0from different parts of Syria.<\/p>\n

Our first guest, on the 7th of January 2014 2300 GMT, was Abu Ibrahim Ar-Raqqawi a resident and activist of Ar-Raqqa.<\/p>\n

Below are some select questions and answers from the session held.<\/p>\n

\n

GeorgeBushDontCare<\/span>:\u00a0Have you seen any foreign fighters? Where do they tend to be from?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Abu Ibrahim: Tunisians and Iraqis are the main ones. Then to a lesser extent Chechens and Dagestanis.<\/p>\n

mystikalhereigo: Have you ever been contacted by ISIS members looking to leave or expressing doubt about the group but feeling \u201ctrapped\u201d or unable to leave for some reason?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Abu Ibrahim:\u00a0That did happen to me many a time. ISIS leadership encourages Muhajireen to burn their passports, and there are many videos of that. Though, those in ISIS who want to leave are few, maybe around 5-10%.<\/p>\n

todroo: I consider ISIS a terrorist organization so don\u2019t let this question seem like I support them\u2026but what things have ISIS done that you would consider \u201cgood\u201d in Raqqa and how are they trying to capture the \u201chearts and minds\u201d of the Raqqans.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Just wondering if they operate in Raqqa with a mix of fear and good, like if you are with us we treat you very well if you\u2019re against us we crucify you.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Abu Ibrahim:\u00a0In my opinion ISIS has done nothing good, except we aren\u2019t being shelled anymore, so that\u2019s the bright side. They aren\u2019t really trying to win the hearts and minds here. They run the \u201cDa\u2019wah\u201d tents for children, but those are dangerous. They\u2019ve convinced many kids to join ISIS, without their parent\u2019s knowledge. It\u2019s brainwashing.<\/p>\n

There\u2019s always a \u201cbarrier\u201dbetween ISIS members and civilians. Today an ISIS guy dressed in civilian clothing went into a store and said \u201ccould I buy some cigarettes, but I don\u2019t want the ISIS guys to know\u201d. The shop owner closes shop, and hands him a pack. The guy then leaves and calls up an ISIS truck, and they search his shop and burn the cigarettes.<\/p>\n

GrandMuftiOfReddit:<\/strong><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. ISIS claims they have brought stability to their areas, and they claim to carry out lots of social works programs for Raqqah residents, refugees etc. How much truth is here to these claims? Is it just ISIS propaganda?<\/strong><\/li>\n
  2. What are your thoughts regarding Jabhat al-Nusra? Are they the same as ISIS, or do you consider them a part of the Syrian Revolution? What are your thoughts on the Islamic Front?<\/strong><\/li>\n
  3. What can a person living in the West do to help the Raqqah is being Slaughtered campaign?<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Abu Ibrahim:<\/p>\n

      \n
    1. (laughs) ISIS does nothing for residents or refugees. The only thing working in Ar-Raqqa for displaced civilians is the Raqqa Relief Kitchen operated by a local pharmacist. They provide one meal a day for free. It\u2019s financed by individuals locally and abroad.<\/li>\n
    2. In my opinion, any group fighting to put itself in power, has no place in Syria. As for the Islamic Front, I believe what they\u2019re actions are pure, to rid the Syrian people of the regime.<\/li>\n
    3. We are a media group fore and foremost. We do communicate regularly with Liwa Thuwar Ar-Raqqa and relief agencies working in the area. You can donate money to the relief agencies working there, and we can help with that. Or you can donate money from ammunition to Liwa Thuwar Ar-Raqqa, and we can also help with that.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

      BipolarBear0: You contributed as an eyewitness to\u00a0<\/b>this CNN report<\/b><\/span><\/a>\u00a0about ISIS in Ar-Raqqa. In your opinion, why do you think ISIS tends towards brutal and horrific acts like crucifixions (as opposed to acts committed by other extremist groups, which are still terrible but not as deeply\u00a0\u201c\u00a0sychological\u201d), and how do you think ISIS\u2019 foothold in the region will affect development and living conditions in the future?<\/b><\/p>\n

      Abu Ibrahim:\u00a0The reason they are violent is simply to spread terror and have the population succumb in fear. Let\u2019s say your playing cards, which is illegal anyways, but let\u2019s just assume, and some ISIS guy hears you say the equivalent of Goddamnit, he\u2019ll have you crucified.My own friends fear speaking to me, they fear posting likes on my facebook posts, they fear association. They say \u201cwe have kids\u201d and we\u2019re afraid and you\u2019re wanted. Even a lot of my family. If ISIS stays long, we\u2019ll end up like Iraq.<\/p>\n

      BipolarBear0:\u00a0<\/b><\/strong>Even for playing cards? Wow. As a followup question, I know a lot of stories have arisen about the halfway-crucifixions ISIS does, i.e killing someone and tying them to a cross \u2014 but have you ever heard of or witnessed actual crucifixions, i.e leaving someone alive tied or nailed to a cross?<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Abu Ibrahim:\u00a0No, ISIS doesn\u2019t do actual crucifixions, they kill them and then hang them on there.<\/p>\n

      anothersyrian: \u0627\u0644\u0633\u0644\u0627\u0645 \u0639\u0644\u064a\u0643\u0645 \u062e\u0627\u064a: I am wondering what did ISIS do to establish a foothold on Raqqa? for example in Aleppo they got rid of Khaled Al hyane and Al-Afash. how did the Raqqawea accepted them at first? also are there any communications with the FSA or IF to help Raqqa, or since Der Ezzor is geographically before Reqqa (closer to aleppo) you have to wait?<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Abu Ibrahim: When Ar-Raqqa was freed, it was Jabhat AL-Nusra, there was no ISIS. After the Jabhat Al-Nusra and ISIS split, around 90% of the Muhajireen joined ISIS. Things were tense in Ar-Raqqa around that time. The first confrontation that occurred between the FSA and ISIS, was between Ahfad Al-Rassoul and ISIS. ISIS hit Ahfad Al-Rassoul headquarters in Ar-Raqqa with three VBEIDs. The other FSA groups in the area essentially said shit, we need to realign: a large part pledged allegiance to ISIS; a second part to Jabhat Al-Nusra; and a third part to Ahrar Al-Sham.<\/p>\n

      Then ISIS agreed with Ahrar Al-Sham to have Ahrar evacuate from Ar-Raqqa, leaving heavy weapons behind. Ahrar agreed. As they were withdrawing, ISIS ambushed them and killed 120 fighters.<\/p>\n

      Jabhat Al-Nusra anyways in Ar-Raqqa was present there only by name. It was infact Liwa Thuwar Ar-Raqqa. Jabhat AL-Nusra at one point said Liwa Thuwar Ar-Raqqa are not a part of us because of their lack of adherence to \u201cSharia\u201d matters, which was true.<\/p>\n

      After that Liwa Thuwar Ar-Raqqa felt slightly vulnerable, and ended up leaving Ar-Raqqa city.<\/p>\n

      And so ISIS found it\u2019s place by dismantling the rebels there one by one.<\/p>\n

      HasanNasrallah:\u00a0Hi! Do you think that there is a chance that the rebels will recapture Raqqah, or that the rebels have a chance of winning the civil war?<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Abu Ibrahim:\u00a0First part answered elsewhere here. As for the second part, if ISIS is removed then yes, absolutely. The civil war turned against the rebels when ISIS did what it did. The turning point was the rise of ISIS, not Qusayrs [sic], Yabroud, or Homs. Claiming those were turning points is baseless. ISIS fronts are dead fronts, it\u2019s freed up more regime forces than any of the others mentioned.<\/p>\n

      lizrael: Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions. How much effort would it require to dislodge ISIS from Raqqa? It seems they are positioned really well in the city. If an outside force like IF or JN attacks, would people join in? Would average Raqqans join the fight?<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Abu Ibrahim: I don\u2019t think that this is something that will happen, Ar-Raqqa free anytime soon. Yes, Jabhat Al-Nusra and the Islamic Front will be supported greatly, but ISIS\u2019 position in the city is heavily fortified. In the city of Tabqa there is only one road now leading in or out of the city, and ISIS has fortified that road heavily with checkpoints. It would be a long war of attrition were the rebels to attack Ar-Raqqa, and it would put other active fronts at risk. in the city of Ar-Raqqa, they\u2019ve even dug tunnels under the city, tens of them. ISIS has been in Ar-Raqqa for six months now, that\u2019s plenty of time to prepare for anything.<\/p>\n

      navidfa: How is the situation in the city with regard to immigrants? Aside from the ISIS problem, it seems like the city is relatively safe from govt airstrikes. Is this causing people to seek refuge there?<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Abu Ibrahim: Just like you said, no bombing. Only a small number of refugees have come as of late, they came in greater numbers when the rebels held the city. Humble folk who don\u2019t mind ISIS or the regime come to Ar-Raqqa, there\u2019s food and a place to sleep. At least no barrel bombs.<\/p>\n

      mobster1930: Would you like to see Raqqa liberated by the Syrian Army? Would you consider that a liberation?<\/strong><\/p>\n

      Abu Ibrahim: I\u2019d consider it an occupying force.<\/p>\n

      GreyMatter22: Thanks for the AMA, I am curious about the ISIS and here are my questions:<\/strong><\/p>\n