Abdalaziz Alhamza – Exclusive – Raqqa is being slaughtered silently
IS increased water tax from 700 Syrian pounds to 1,000 Syrian Pounds (which stands as a 40% increase to the original fee). Such increase occurs despite the strategic location of Raqqa province on the bank of Euphrates river; one of the largest rivers in southern Asia. Nevertheless, IS would turn off water from people who refuse to pay the fees.
IS collection workers toured on houses and shops distributing flyers saying: “Please come to the collection headquarters every two months for tax payment. Any delay implies financial fine, hoping for a quick response.”
The strange thing is that the text in the flyers gave authority to “the General Establishment for Drinking Water and Sanitation in Raqqa” which did not even exist at IS system while IS logo and the stamp disappeared and there was no “Raqqa state” footer as usual.
“Raqqa is being slaughtered silently” reporter, learned through his research from sources within IS, that the decision of increasing taxes was not planned. Therefore, IS used an old receipts papers that Syrian regime used during its control of Raqqa.
New tax receipts raised many questions among civilians. The reporter of “Raqqa is being slaughtered silently” was able to collect some of them while under cover. A young man said: “IS managed to maintain these papers for two years, however, It was unable to save the lives of young people who were arrested and executed in its prisons“.
Another young man from Raqqa felt that this was a result of the central decision that IS Pursuing recently and that no one is referring or discussing decisions with leaders and this which created chaos.
Um Abdullah, A 40 year old woman, Believes that this is expected and is not worth talking about. IS, which sells oil and gas to regime, will not hesitate to use its receipts papers, the regime may also have a share of these taxes.
While her husband Abu Abdullah, said: “perhaps this money will go to Wali of Raqqa’s Treasury and he does not want to share it with its partners in other areas so he did not collect taxes on behalf of IS”.
Despite the different views, IS failure in media after one year and half in Raqqa province is now undeniable. IS, which has long focused on the presence of symbols to authorize its existence such as black flags and stamps, is now losing strength and influence.
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It also suggests that despite the black market and smuggling profits made by IS, they are struggling to raise sufficient funds to maintain their fictitious “Caliphate”. Whilst their have been nations quite happy to fund ISIL for their own ends, these funds are now drying up somewhat as precious donors begin to get concerned at how much influence they have amassed in the region. The fact is that ISIL, like many of the other factions – nations, indeed – in the region, are being deliberately manipulated to keep the region in a state of flux for the benefit of others.
*Errata: “Whilst their have been nations” should read “Whilst there ave been nations”; “precious donors” should read “previous donors”