Part 2
Written by: Ali Ansar
In the preceding section, we discussed one of the primary reasons why ISIS cannot rule over the Afghan populace: its barbarity and brutality. ISIS’s reputation is indelibly associated with horror, eliciting echoes of terror and savagery wherever it is mentioned. Brutality is embedded in ISIS’s nature and structure, perceived as an intrinsic characteristic that remains unchanged.
ISIS subscribes to the belief that terror is the sole method to attain power and control. However, terror only begets animosity, widens the gap between the populace and the governing body, and ultimately results in the downfall of regimes that employ it. History attests to the reality that governments reliant on terror have been ousted by their own citizens, as terror can never establish a sustainable governing authority.
Instances of ISIS Atrocities
1. ISIS Brutality in Raqqa, Syria
In January 2014, ISIS captured the major Syrian city of Raqqa. Subsequent to its occupation, they massacred hundreds of Mujahideen supporters on public streets, beheaded many, and continuously raided civilian homes under the pretense of collaborating with the Mujahideen. ISIS commemorated the conquest of Raqqa as if they had triumphed over a significant infidel city, showcasing their barbaric mentality.
2. ISIS Brutality in Deir ez-Zor, Syria
Deir ez-Zor, a pivotal province in eastern Syria, also became a victim of ISIS’s atrocities. Upon taking over the province, ISIS escalated a campaign of senseless murders, massacres, executions, and beheadings. These actions were executed with extreme malice and cunning, targeting individuals who opposed their misguided ideology or voiced dissent against their brutal acts.
In addition to mass killings, ISIS transformed Deir ez-Zor into a hub of kidnappings and robberies. They abducted the offspring and families of merchants and affluent individuals, extorting ransom in exchange for their release. Concurrently, they fostered environments conducive to adultery, prostitution, and sodomy. ISIS was heavily implicated in the grave sin of adultery, often enlisting foreign women to finance their reprehensible endeavors and recruit more individuals to their ranks.
(Source: “Abdul Bari Atwan, Translation: Hikmat Jalil, 2016
ISIS, Second Edition, Pages: 116–117, Kabul: Soroush Bookstore”)
In addition to these heinous acts, ISIS also destroyed cultural and historical landmarks in Deir ez-Zor. They demolished mosques, madrasas, and religious centers, vehemently opposing any place or people that strengthened the faith. Beyond Syria’s Raqqa and Deir ez-Zor, ISIS committed similar atrocities in Mosul and Iraq.
Subsequent to their defeat in Iraq, Syria, and the Western territories, ISIS—under Western guidance—redirected their focus to Afghanistan and the Khorasan region. Here, they replicated myriad heinous acts resembling those in Syria and Iraq. In upcoming sections, we will delve into the details of ISIS’s brutality and terror in Afghanistan.
