PHOTOS: ISIS Patrols Occupied Hama, Syria

In a new photo report purportedly released by the Islamic State, ISIS militants near Ithriya, west of the “terrorist capital” of Raqqa, patrol the Hama province. The photo report was released on ISIS terrorist channels on January 31 and shows ISIS militants carrying out “ribat.” According to the Foreign Military Studies Office, “The Islamic State (IS) has… begun emphasizing defense. Specifically, the group’s propaganda of late has highlighted the concept of ‘Ribat,’ meaning keeping watch over and safeguarding the border between the Islamic polity and hostile outside forces. Roughly speaking, the concept may be considered as the mirror image of the offensive jihad most commonly associated with the IS. In the contemporary jihadi understanding, Ribat takes place at what are called ‘thughur’ or strategic chokepoints. While the IS is neither the first nor the only contemporary jihadi group to employ the concept, the prominence of Ribat in recent IS propaganda is noteworthy.” Viewer discretion is advised.

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