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Syrian activists risking their lives to report on life under Isis describe how life has changed in Raqqa | Syrian activists risking their lives to report on life under Isis describe how life has changed in Raqqa |
(35 minutes later) | |
A network of Syrian activists working against Isis has exposed the barbaric reality of life in the city of Raqqa. | A network of Syrian activists working against Isis has exposed the barbaric reality of life in the city of Raqqa. |
Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) are a group of citizen journalists which report on crucifixions, executions and general life in the so-called Islamic State. | Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently (RBSS) are a group of citizen journalists which report on crucifixions, executions and general life in the so-called Islamic State. |
Earlier this month, they reported that a 20-year-old jihadi had shot his mother in the head with an assault rifle in front of a crowd, after she was accused of apostasy. | Earlier this month, they reported that a 20-year-old jihadi had shot his mother in the head with an assault rifle in front of a crowd, after she was accused of apostasy. |
Using around 70 contributors inside Raqqa and its surrounding area, the group gathers pictures, videos and firsthand accounts of life within the city. | Using around 70 contributors inside Raqqa and its surrounding area, the group gathers pictures, videos and firsthand accounts of life within the city. |
Abdel-Aziz al-Hamza, co-founder of RBSS, described how life had changed within the headquarters of Isis in The Times Magazine. | |
"It was a normal city," he told the magazine. "You could do what you wanted: drink, smoke, whatever." | "It was a normal city," he told the magazine. "You could do what you wanted: drink, smoke, whatever." |
However, life drastically changed when Isis took control of the city in January 2014. | However, life drastically changed when Isis took control of the city in January 2014. |
"They started to change the city. They painted the city black and started to kidnap its citizens and execute them." | "They started to change the city. They painted the city black and started to kidnap its citizens and execute them." |
He added: "But no one heard what was going on, so we decided to show the reality of life in the city, the reality of Isis. | He added: "But no one heard what was going on, so we decided to show the reality of life in the city, the reality of Isis. |
"It was a duty for us. We used to fight the Syrian government regime, and now we had a regime that was even worse." | "It was a duty for us. We used to fight the Syrian government regime, and now we had a regime that was even worse." |
He went on to describe Raqqa as a "prison", in which only those with special permission to travel for medical reasons can leave. | He went on to describe Raqqa as a "prison", in which only those with special permission to travel for medical reasons can leave. |
RBSS is doing all it can to stop Isis recruiting civilians in Raqqa. Its supporters have been putting up anti-Isis posters and graffiti, and have even distributed a magazine containing subversive material with the same cover as an Isis publication. | RBSS is doing all it can to stop Isis recruiting civilians in Raqqa. Its supporters have been putting up anti-Isis posters and graffiti, and have even distributed a magazine containing subversive material with the same cover as an Isis publication. |
Isis have hunted and killed the group's members, murdering filmmaker Naji Jerf, and beheading two others. | Isis have hunted and killed the group's members, murdering filmmaker Naji Jerf, and beheading two others. |
"There are rewards for anyone who kills one of us," Mr al-Hamza told The Times Magazine. "We don't know the amount, but I am sure it's a big number." |
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