Iraq News

ISIL tightens grip in Syria's al-Raqa as assault nears

Residents of Syria's al-Raqa say the "Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant" (ISIL) is trying to tighten its grip on the city as coalition forces draw near, AFP reported Wednesday (November 16th).

Internet cafes have been closed down, travel bans have been enforced and new checkpoints have been established since the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) began an operation to recapture the city on November 5th, they said.

Since then, residents say ISIL has tried to seal the city off from the outside world, imposing a media blackout on the city's population of more than 300,000.

Through activist group al-Raqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, AFP made contact with several people inside al-Raqa, who described an atmosphere of growing paranoia among ISIL rulers.

Any discussion of ISIL losses could result in arrest and even execution, one resident said.

Meanwhile, ISIL produces a steady stream of victorious propaganda, he added.

Residents have long been prevented from leaving al-Raqa without ISIL permission, but in recent months it has become impossible, said Abu Mohamed, an activist from outside the city.

Many residents want to flee, he said, "but if their plans are discovered, they are arrested and their money is confiscated, and the smugglers trying to help them will be executed".

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