Research
on the Islamic State, Syria, and Iraq
by Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi
October 1–October 31, 2015
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Syria's
Druze community has endured sectarian killings and forced conversions
at the hands of the Syrian al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra.
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Aymenn Jawad al-Tamimi, a research
fellow at the Middle East Forum's Jihad
Intel project, writes extensively about the Islamic State (also known
as ISIS) and other armed groups in Syria and Iraq. As his writings and
translations tend to be too detailed for a general readership, we
periodically compile links and summaries for those wishing to learn about
the groundbreaking work of this prolific researcher.
For all writings by Jawad al-Tamimi,
click here.
Articles
Al Nusra
Atrocities against Syrian Druze Belie Its Rebranding (Oct. 5)
Foreign Affairs
Jawad al-Tamimi and coauthor Daveed Gartenstein-Ross argue that efforts
by the Syrian al-Qaeda affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra to "paint
itself as a more reasonable jihadist force" and "appear more
moderate to an international audience" are largely window-dressing.
Its religious extremism is evident in its brutal treatment of Druze
minorities living in areas under its control.
Additional
Notes on the Druze of Jabal al-Summaq (Oct. 6)
The author elaborates on Jabhat al-Nusra's treatment of Druze, as
discussed in the above Foreign Affairs article. Includes a
translation of a (forced) statement issued by the Druze of Idlib
renouncing their faith.
Talking
to the Yarmouk Martyrs Brigade (Oct. 13)
Syria Deeply
Jawad al-Tamimi examines the evolution of the once-"moderate"
Syrian rebel group Liwa Shuhada' al-Yarmouk (Yarmouk Martyrs
Brigade) into an Islamic State affiliate. He suggests it began as an
effort to "improve its standing among locals by gradually becoming
more 'Islamic' in governance."
Rijal al-Karama
after Sheikh Abu Fahad Waheed al-Bal'ous' Assassination (Oct. 26)
Syria Comment
The author examines how the Syrian Druze Rijal al-Karama (Men of
Dignity) militia has adapted to the assassination
of its leader, Sheikh Abu Fahad al-Bal'ous, in September. Bal'ous
advocated reform within the existing political system, anti-corruption,
and prioritization of local defense over forced conscription into
government forces fighting elsewhere in Syria. Rijal al-Karama, which
officially declared his brother Sheikh Abu Yusuf Ra'fat al-Bal'ous as the
new leader, issued a statement implicitly blaming the Syrian regime for
the attack, but shying away from confrontation.
Translations
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Unlike
other Syrian jihadist groups, Islamic State is not dependent on foreign
donors.
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Unseen
Islamic State Financial Accounts for Deir az-Zor Province (Oct. 5)
Jihadology
The author translates numerous Islamic State documents detailing its
revenues and expenditures in Syria's Deir az-Zor province. Although the
province is oil-rich, a large plurality – 45 percent – of Islamic State
income there comes from confiscations of property and money.
Unseen
Documents from the Islamic State's Diwan al-Rikaz (Oct. 12)
Jihadology
Analysis and translations of several documents issued by the ISIS agency
responsible for managing oil, gas, minerals, and antiquities (al-Rikaz
literally refers to anything that can be extracted from the ground).
Includes a stamped permit for Mahmoud Sari ibn Muhammad "to excavate
and search for antiquities and gold north of the town of al-Bab" and
a notice that gold and antiquities "are to be confiscated in the
event that they are being passed through the border areas towards
Turkey."
Unseen
Islamic State Treatise on Calendars (Oct. 17)
Translation and analysis of an Islamic State treatise on "Miladi
dating," or use of the Gregorian calendar. Jawad al-Tamimi notes
that IS is determined to "erase all traces of Miladi dating as it is
a system of dating associated with the disbelievers," in favor of
Hijri dating, which begins from the time of the migration [hijra]
of the Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. In practice,
however, many IS documents contain both Miladi and Hijri dates.
Jund
al-Aqsa withdraws from Jaysh al-Fatah (Oct. 24)
Jihad Intel
Translation of a statement from the Al-Qaeda front group Jund al-Aqsa
on its withdrawal from the Jaysh al-Fatah (Army of Conquest)
coalition in Idlib province. The statement attributes this withdrawal in
part to "the continuing pressure upon us to fight the Dawla [Islamic
State] group" from other members of Jaysh al-Fatah, notably Ahrar
al-Sham. The statement lists conditions for Jund al-Aqsa's return to
the coalition, including that it formally commit to "fighting the
Americans and Russians."
Islam
101 According to the Islamic State (Oct. 27)
An annotated translation of an Islamic State da'wa pamphlet on aqeeda
(creed/doctrine) and manhaj (ideological program/direction) that
Jawad al-Tamimi calls "one of the most basic outlines of Islamic
State ideology available from the Islamic State itself."
"Be
with God"- New Nasheed from the Islamic State (Oct. 29)
Translation of a short musical chant (nasheed) produced by
Islamic State. Excerpt: "Whoever has obeyed and sacrificed
everything precious has been successful."
New
Mobilization Calls By the Islamic State in Aleppo Province (Oct. 30)
Jihadology
Analysis and translation of new mobilization calls by IS within Aleppo
province in the wake of Russian intervention. Includes the first document
known to have been officially issued by an IS "Shari'a
Committee" since the declaration of the Caliphate.
Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi is a
research fellow at the Middle East Forum's Jihad Intel project.
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