Part 7
Written by: Ehsan Arab
The Destruction of Islamic Cities
One of the most significant services rendered by the ISIS Khawarij to the disbelieving world has been the systematic destruction of Muslim-populated cities and regions. Wherever these extremists set foot, they left behind ruins so extensive that reconstruction became nearly impossible, fundamentally altering the landscapes and identities of these once-thriving urban centers.
The scale of destruction caused by the ISIS Khawarij was staggering. Critical infrastructure, residential homes, healthcare facilities, hospitals, historical monuments, schools, and mosques were either severely damaged or entirely obliterated. This deliberate devastation not only erased physical structures but also erased the cultural and historical heritage of these regions.
One of the most tragic examples of this destruction occurred in Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city and a vital economic and cultural hub. With a population of over two million, Mosul suffered immensely under ISIS control. Approximately 80% of its western areas, particularly its ancient districts, were reduced to rubble.
Among the losses were the iconic Al-Hadba Minaret and the Al-Nouri Mosque, both built in 1172 AD (6th Hijri century) during the reign of Nūr al-Dīn Maḥmūd Zengī. These structures, which had stood for over 840 years as symbols of Islamic history and architecture, were destroyed in 2017 during the battle to reclaim the city from ISIS.
A similar fate befell Raqqa, Syria, another city that fell victim to the sinister presence of the ISIS Khawarij. Nearly 70-80% of the city was utterly destroyed, with more than 11,000 homes—which had provided shelter for Syria’s suffering Muslim population—turned to rubble. The destruction extended to hospitals, schools, and other essential infrastructures.
The same pattern of destruction was repeated in Sirte, Libya, as the ISIS Khawarij sought to expand their so-called caliphate. Within a short period, 60-70% of the city was ruined, with residential neighborhoods and urban infrastructure—such as roads and hospitals—completely wiped out.
The small Syrian town of Al-Baghuz Fawqani, one of the last territories under ISIS control, also witnessed relentless battles and widespread destruction. These conflicts, fueled by the group’s extremist ideology, led to 90% of the town being demolished, with most homes and roads reduced to ruins.
Cities such as Aleppo and Deir ez-Zor in Syria, as well as Ramadi and Fallujah in Iraq—predominantly Sunni-populated areas—also suffered extensive devastation under ISIS rule. Critical infrastructure in these regions was obliterated, and the social fabric of these communities was torn apart. One after another, these Islamic cities were reduced to ruins, their histories and futures shattered by the actions of the ISIS Khawarij.
The legacy of the ISIS Khawarij is one of unparalleled destruction, leaving behind a trail of devastation that will take generations to repair. Their actions not only targeted physical structures but also sought to erase the cultural, historical, and spiritual identity of the Muslim world, serving as a grim reminder of the group’s role as a destructive force in the modern era.
