Repent or die: al-Qaeda forces announce rules for Iraqi territory they now control

Referring to the area by its ancient name, Nineveh, the group says it has a clear set of instructions for the remaining occupants of the city and surrounding area.

Firstly it tells “anyone who is asking,” who its members are and what it is about: “We are soldiers of Islam and we’ve taken on our responsibility to bring back glory of the Islamic Caliphate.”

All Muslims in the city have been instructed to attend mosque for the five daily prayers.

It confirms that it seized up to half a billion dollars from the Mosul branch of the Bank of Iraq but states it can be trusted with the funds.

Any one of its members who breach this promise will have their hands cut off.

“No drugs, no alcohol and no cigarettes allowed,” it added.

No public gathering other than those organised by ISIS will be allowed at any stage. No guns will be allowed outside of its ranks.

All tribal leaders and sheikhs in the area have been warned not to co-operate with the state.

In a warning to the police, soldiers and other “kaffr” bodies the choice is to repent or face the ultimate punishment. The group said it will open “special places” for repentance.

Outlining its sectarian bias it declared all shrines, graveyards and monuments will be destroyed.

Finally all women must dress in concealing clothing that preserve decency. Females should only go outside “if necessary”.

The city has been told that it has tried secular experiments with the republic and Baathist regimes as well as the current Iranian-backed “Safavid” government in Baghdad. “Now is time for an Islamic state,” the note signed Imam Abu Bakr El Qurashi said.

Source: The Telegraph