Raqqa:

ISIL Intensifies Economic Pressure on Civilians Following Sharp Drop in Terrorist Group's Revenues

Rasa - Local sources in Northeastern Syria reported that the ISIL has increased pressure on Raqqa city's civilians to pay more tax following the rapid advances of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in the province and sharp reduction in the terrorist group's income.

News ID: 429566

Date: 10 May 2017 - 22:08

RNA - The sources said that ISIL militants have forced shopkeepers and businessmen in Raqqa to pay taxes of the next two months in advance.

They further said that a large number of ISIL fighters have not received any money as monthly salary for several months, adding that long delay in paying salaries has caused the ISIL fighters to be in doubt about remaining in the group and has weakened their abilities in the battlefields.

Reports said, meantime, that the SDF is on the verge of complete victory in al-Tabaqa city and based on the latest reports the ISIL has moved its capital from Raqqa to Southeastern Deir Ezzur.

On Monday, ISIL Chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi called for his supporters' help against the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)'s attacks in Raqqa.

Local sources in Raqqa said that al-Baghdadi ordered his comrades to adopt more strict security measures and prevent tens of civilians from fleeing the city.

They added that the ISIL seized 20 boats that were used to transfer the civilians on the Northern and Southern banks of Euphrates river.

Also, the ISIL stopped operations to transfer tens of civilian families from Raqqa to the SDF-held areas.

The sources said that the ISIL forces were on alert in Raqqa.

Other reports from Deir Ezzur and Raqqa also said that the ISIL in recent days recited al-Baghdadi's demand for help at the two cities' mosques, calling on Muslims in the ISIL-controlled areas to mobilize against the SDF attacks in Raqqa.

Latest reports from Raqqa said that the SDF continued their advances against ISIL and pushed them back from Watani hospital in the Western part of al-Tabaqa city in Northeastern Syria.

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