- From Medyan Dairieh, filmmaker who reported for for Vice News
Given access: Medyan Dairieh,
Like
everyone else, I had read about the cruelty and killings that the
Islamic State fighters indulged in. I had read of the beheadings, the
horrific crucifixions and the mass executions this group practised,
which has even repulsed Al Qaeda.
So,
I became determined to enter this world and see it for myself. Of all
the reporting that I have done in places like Libya and Palestine, this
was the most frightening, most dangerous assignment I have had.
After
weeks of negotiations, I managed to enter the city of Raqqa, which is
the capital of the terrorist group in Syria, from where it launches
daily attacks against President Assad’s troops.
It was a surreal and a chilling experience, as I saw a regime of absolute control which imposed its strict sharia laws.
This
is not some disorganised bloodthirsty terrorist group or makeshift
army. They are very organised. Islamic State fighters ruthlessly
beheaded Assad’s soldiers and spies on the front line. Their decapitated
bodies were brought back to Raqqa and displayed in the town centre.
The
IS men gave me a horrific video of decapitated soldiers’ bodies, which
were left lying on the pavement in the centre of Raqqa. Some of the
dismembered heads were placed on spikes.
They
had prisons where they jailed people who had been caught drinking
alcohol, and other small offences. I filmed young children telling me
that they want to join the Islamic State and kill infidels, and I filmed
IS fighters in gun battles against Assad’s troops on the front line.
The troops were surrounded by IS men, with one telling me they will now receive no supplies unless they are air-dropped to them.
IS men have so many guns that they are now in a position to give them away to new recruits or as gifts to ordinary people.
They
had heavy artillery that could target low-flying aircraft, and they
even had Scud missiles and tanks, with which some of the IS men even did
a bit of joyriding for the cameras.
While I was in Raqqa, the IS leaders told me I had the freedom to go anywhere I like, and film what I like.
‘Leaders’ is not the right word, as IS does not have a hierarchical structure.
Starting young: A teenager who appears in Medyan's film for VICE news
All soldiers have equal status, and they are all paid the same salary of £30 per month.
I saw a society of peculiarities that you find in authoritarian regimes. Smoking was banned in the city, as was music.
So
you never heard anyone playing songs in their cars, or shops or cafes.
Women were allowed out, but they must cover all their body, including
their faces.
Not all men are required to have beards, but all IS members must wear a beard.
The whole city was prepared for war at all times.
There
were thousands of IS soldiers in the city, and they all carried guns
with them at all times. They were ready to jump into action within
minutes. Although the soldiers were very hospitable towards me and cared
for me, they did not hide their ruthless ambition.
They want to take over the world.,(emph. Solstice)
I
filmed one soldier, who said to the camera he wanted to see the flag of
IS over the White House. Another told me: ‘See you in Jordan, next
time.’
Award-winning journalist and filmmaker Medyan
Dairieh spent 10 days inside the Islamic State for Vice News. He is the first
Western journalist to be embedded inside the world's most dangerous terrorist
group, documenting its inner workings.
Watch the VICE News documentary 'The Islamic State' on vicenews.com
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