Written by: Bahand
Part 10
During the civil war in Syria, ISIS committed numerous atrocities and imposed immense suffering on the Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah.
These transgressions encompassed military assaults, mass executions, and the imposition of un-Islamic practices through coercion, particularly in regions under their dominion or in neighboring areas.
The northern Aleppo region, which was under threat from ISIS, witnessed these horrific crimes. In this area, ISIS carried out ruthless and merciless actions against the Ahl al-Sunnah, who made up the majority of the population.
Principal transgressions carried out by ISIS in northern Aleppo include:
1. Armed Assaults and Conflicts:
ISIS persistently instigated attacks on residential hubs, notably in northern Aleppo, triggering violent clashes. Aleppo is renowned for its urban and rural settlements.
2. Persecution and Brutality:
Under the guise of religious and ideological pretexts, ISIS savagely targeted various religious factions, including the Ahl al-Sunnah wal-Jama’ah, via mass executions, torment, and the desecration of sacred and cultural sites.
3. Occupation and Annexation of Territories:
Through military force, ISIS captured various parts of northern Aleppo and brought them under its control. Consequently, numerous individuals, particularly the Ahl al-Sunnah, were compelled to desert their abodes and embark on forced migrations.
4. Instilling an Atmosphere of Dread and Terror:
To intimidate the local population and keep them under pressure, ISIS publicly displayed executions and similar acts of violence, which further spread insecurity and fear among the people.
ISIS’s crimes in northern Aleppo and other parts of Syria left deep and negative impacts, sparking a chain of humanitarian and social crises. These atrocities not only led to human and social disasters but also fueled sectarian and ethnic tensions, causing people to turn against each other and become embroiled in conflict.