Islamic State fighters have reportedly had their salaries cut in half

Islamic State fighters have had their salaries cut by half, according to a memo published by news site Aleppo24.

The document reportedly dated November 2015 was posted on Twitter last Saturday by Aleppo24, and details that all fighters, regardless of rank, will be getting a pay cut of 50%, due to "exceptional circumstances." It also specifies that no one can be exempt from the cut.

According to a translation by Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi, the document was signed by Abu Muhammad al-Muhajir ISIS' Treasury Minister.

The first part of the memo quotes the Quran and asserts that religious duties apply to money as well as fighting. The memo also notes that food will still be delivered twice a month.

There have been growing reports that ISIS (also known as the Islamic State, ISIL, or Daesh) is experiencing military and financial troubles.

The US-led coalition has been bombing the group's oil fields and supply lines as well as banks for months now as part of Operation Tidal Wave II.

British air strikes last month targeted oilfields in Syria and further drone strikes prevented the terrorist group to repair the damage.

Earlier this month US strikes also struck a bank in Mosul, and although it is not known exactly how much money was there or in what currency, a US defence official speaking to CNN described it as "millions."

As well as bringing in money from oil, Islamic State has also earned significant sums from capturing banks, smuggling and selling artifacts, taxing civilians living under its rule, and ransom payments.

Last week, France's defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian also announced the group was retreating in Iraq.


In December, UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon, told Sky News how important the airstrikes on oil fields were to defeat ISIS. "They've been making a lot of money out of oil ... and their revenue helps to finance their terrorism in Western Europe and is a threat to us in Britain," the defence secretary said.

"Airstrikes can make a difference in starting to squeeze ISIL back into its heartland, reduce its ability to resupply and reinforce over in Iraq and to cut off its sources of revenue," Fallon added.