Here Are The Archaic Rules Enforced By The al Qaeda Offshoot Taking Over Iraqi Cities
Iraqi officials in Baghdad conceded that the fighters commandeered military arsenal, released hundreds of prisoners from jail, and seized up to $430 million from the city's central bank.
They have told people in Mosul to return to work and have asked the more than 500,000 people who fled to come back. But that seems unlikely given the extremists group's draconian rules, which have been enforced with brutal punishments across northern Syria.
Institute for the Study of War
Journalist Jenan Mousa translated highlights from the new rules set forth by the ISIS in the Nineveh province the northwest of Iraq:
• "For women, dress decently and wear wide clothes. Only go out if needed."
• "Our position on Shrines and graves is clear. all to be destroyed basically."
• "Gatherings, carrying flags (other than that of Islamic State) and carrying guns is not allowed. God ordered us to stay united."
• "For the police, soldiers and other kafir institutions, you can repent. We opened special places that will allow you to repent."
• "No drugs, no alcohol and no cigarettes allowed."
• "We warn tribal leaders and Sheikhs not to "work with government and be traitors."
• "We ask all Muslims to perform prayers on time in the mosques."
• "Money we took from Safavid government is now public. Only Imam of Muslims can spend it. Anyone who steals hand will be cut."
• "For those asking who are you? We are soldiers of Islam and took on our responsibility to bring back glory of the Islamic Caliphate."
(Here are the documents in Arabic.)
ISIS, with fighters about 75 miles from the capital, is now threatening to march on Baghdad despite being badly outmannned by Iraqi army forces. But a successful campaign will ultimately require the will of the people.