A Day in the Life of Ar-Raqqa: Abu Ibrahim Ar-Raqqawi’s question and answer session

Tahrir Souri will be holding weekly question and answer sessions with various activists and residents from different parts of Syria.

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

Below are some select questions and answers from the session held.

GeorgeBushDontCare: Have you seen any foreign fighters? Where do they tend to be from?

Abu Ibrahim: Tunisians and Iraqis are the main ones. Then to a lesser extent Chechens and Dagestanis.

mystikalhereigo: Have you ever been contacted by ISIS members looking to leave or expressing doubt about the group but feeling “trapped” or unable to leave for some reason?

Abu Ibrahim: That 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%.

todroo: I consider ISIS a terrorist organization so don’t let this question seem like I support them…but what things have ISIS done that you would consider “good” in Raqqa and how are they trying to capture the “hearts and minds” of the Raqqans.

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’re against us we crucify you.

Abu Ibrahim: In my opinion ISIS has done nothing good, except we aren’t being shelled anymore, so that’s the bright side. They aren’t really trying to win the hearts and minds here. They run the “Da’wah” tents for children, but those are dangerous. They’ve convinced many kids to join ISIS, without their parent’s knowledge. It’s brainwashing.

There’s always a “barrier”between ISIS members and civilians. Today an ISIS guy dressed in civilian clothing went into a store and said “could I buy some cigarettes, but I don’t want the ISIS guys to know”. 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.

GrandMuftiOfReddit:

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?
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?
3. What can a person living in the West do to help the Raqqah is being Slaughtered campaign?

Abu Ibrahim:

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’s financed by individuals locally and abroad.
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’re actions are pure, to rid the Syrian people of the regime.
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.

BipolarBear0: You contributed as an eyewitness to this CNN report about 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 “ sychological”), and how do you think ISIS’ foothold in the region will affect development and living conditions in the future?

Abu Ibrahim: The reason they are violent is simply to spread terror and have the population succumb in fear. Let’s say your playing cards, which is illegal anyways, but let’s just assume, and some ISIS guy hears you say the equivalent of Goddamnit, he’ll have you crucified.My own friends fear speaking to me, they fear posting likes on my facebook posts, they fear association. They say “we have kids” and we’re afraid and you’re wanted. Even a lot of my family. If ISIS stays long, we’ll end up like Iraq.

BipolarBear0: 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 — but have you ever heard of or witnessed actual crucifixions, i.e leaving someone alive tied or nailed to a cross?

Abu Ibrahim: No, ISIS doesn’t do actual crucifixions, they kill them and then hang them on there.

anothersyrian: السلام عليكم خاي: 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?

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.

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.

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 “Sharia” matters, which was true.

After that Liwa Thuwar Ar-Raqqa felt slightly vulnerable, and ended up leaving Ar-Raqqa city.

And so ISIS found it’s place by dismantling the rebels there one by one.

HasanNasrallah: Hi! 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?

Abu Ibrahim: First 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’s freed up more regime forces than any of the others mentioned.

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?

Abu Ibrahim: I don’t 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’ 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’ve even dug tunnels under the city, tens of them. ISIS has been in Ar-Raqqa for six months now, that’s plenty of time to prepare for anything.

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?

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’t mind ISIS or the regime come to Ar-Raqqa, there’s food and a place to sleep. At least no barrel bombs.

mobster1930: Would you like to see Raqqa liberated by the Syrian Army? Would you consider that a liberation?

Abu Ibrahim: I’d consider it an occupying force.

GreyMatter22: Thanks for the AMA, I am curious about the ISIS and here are my questions:

• I know Assad is a tyrant, no doubt, but how do you compare life in Syria under Assad before the war with that of the ISIS
• How active are the ISIS indoctrinating the youth with their extremist rhetoric.

Abu Ibrahim:

1. When the city was in the hands of the rebels, those were the best days of my life.
2. There are many kids who are indoctrinated through the Da’wah tents.

todroo: Also, ISIS Fighter @AbuDujanaMuhajr stated that ISIS is unpopular in Raqqa but also said that the majority of Raqqans support the government . In your opinion, is this true?

Abu Ibrahim: It’s true that no one supports ISIS, but it’s not true that the majority of the people of Ar-Raqqa support the government. It’s evenly split, 50-50, like any other Syrian city.

todroo: So how can you say that the SAA is an occupying force if they take over Raqqa when they are supported by 50% of the population in Raqqa? How can you consider a city liberated when 50% of the people support the government?

Abu Ibrahim: For those who love the military boot, yes. They can consider that being freed.

Don’t get me wrong, I would rather the SAA exist in Ar-Raqqa than ISIS. The SAA is corrupt, you can pay them off to get food in, you can pay them off to leave, you can pay them off for anything.

Fuglewarrior: What is the status of Christians in your part of Syria? Who is helping them? Who is hurting them?

Abu Ibrahim: When the rebels first freed Ar-Raqqa, around 90% of the christian population left to the Coast, Al-Hasakah, and to Europe.

When ISIS came, the other 10% left. Jizya did not happen, it was only a “PR” thing to say look how much of an Islamic state we are. They never met with the Ar-Raqqa christians.

The Church of the Martyrs they turned into the main Da’wah office in the city, the other church and HQ now. The Armenian school, where I spent grades 1-6, is also now closed.

Kebabji: What’s the water and electricity situation like in Ar-Raqqa?

Abu Ibrahim: The electricity and water situation is terrible. Water in Al-Thawra dam dropped 6 meters, electricty and water were down for two days. There’s always water and electricity rationing though. Water in the dam dropped because I think Turkey has partially closed some of their dams. Also, the major problem is lack of management of the dam on the Syrian end.

Kebabji: What’s the situation on food?

Abu Ibrahim: Food prices under the rebels were okay. A kilogram of cucumber cost me around SYP50 ($1), that was because food could be brought from Turkey through the Tal Abyad crossing. When ISIS took over the Turkish government closed the crossing, and now food has to be sourced locally, and hence, cross through a million checkpoints. When that happens, each checkpoint takes a cut. Even the farmer himself raises the price since demand is high and supply is low. Now a kilogram of cucumber costs SYP150 ($3) when it should cost no more than SYP15 ($0.3).