Road to the Caliphate: May 6-19

Primary Sources:

The Islamic State in the hospitality of the clans of Maskanah area

Islamic State in Iraq and Sham: Symposium on Advice and Support for the Islamic State Project in the Manbij Region

“Muslims’ Service Committee” run by ISIS in Raqqa province

Islamic State in Iraq and Sham: Destroying the house of an apostate who denounced God and His Messenger and fought Muslims in the Manbij area

Islamic State in Iraq and Sham: Removal of graves and polytheistic manifestations in villages surrounding the Manbij area

The Islamic Services Administration is establishing a new automated bakery in the Maskanah area

Islamic State in Iraq and Sham: Distributing food aid in the countryside of Wilayat Halab

ISIS billboard: “They want an American Islam opining on nullifiers for wudu, not on nullifiers for Islam”

Da’wah material distributed by ISIS in Tabni, defined by ISIS as part of eastern Raqqa province

ISIS destroying ancient statue in al-Rashid garden, Raqqa

ISIS checkpoint: “We are here for your security and protection: so be cooperative with us”

“Girl of Islam” meeting in Tabqa, Raqqa province

Muslim Money House Office in Wilayat al-Barakah to collect alms and distribute them to the needy

ISIS redistributing statement in Raqqa province reminding women of obligation for hijab according to Shari’a

The Islamic Services Administration extends and repairs electrical network faults in the Manbij area

Implementing the theft penalty on four thieves in the Manbij area

Women’s Shari’a institute run by ISIS in Manbij area

ISIS official media al-Itisam shop-stand

ISIS’ Islamic police force closed this shop in Raqqa city for selling bad goods

“My Muslim brother, reduce your speed”

In Raqqa, ISIS opened a new food kitchen to feed poor families

Some people are eager to get the latest DVDs from the ISIS al-Itisam media shop stand

Marriage contract between ISIS commander Abu ‘Abd al-Rahman al-Tunisi and a woman from Tel Rafa’at

After distributing a statement calling for general mobilization and affiliation with the state, there was a large turnout at the affiliation offices in Wilayat Halab

The Islamic State in Iraq and Sham called on the people, including tribal notables, doctors, engineers, and pharmacists, in the Deir Hafir area

Quran memorization sessions in Wilayat al-Raqqah/Northern Sector, Suluk City

Islam Girl Forum in Raqqa Province/Western Sector, Tabqa City

Graffiti as part of the anti-ISIS “Raqqa is being slaughtered silently” movement

We fight in Iraq and al-Sham, while our eyes are on Bayt al-Maqdis

Operating buses to transport the general public of Muslims between the provinces and regions of the Islamic_State in Iraq and Sham at reduced fares

Form for orphans in the ISIS office for orphans in Raqqa

Islamic Traffic Police Raqqa Province / City District

Orphan Office, Raqqa Province / City District

Distribution of dawa brochures about the hijab and the creed – Raqqa Province, al-Kasra City

Islamic State in Iraq and Sham: The Islamic Services Administration is repairing and beautifying the roads in al-Bab region

ISIS burning cigarettes en masse in their Hasakah province stronghold of al-Shaddadi

The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham – Raqqa Province – Demolition of the shrine of ‘Uways al-Qarni

Islamic State in Iraq and Sham: The Public Services Authority in Wilayat Halab repairs 230 KV lines in Tal al-Subayha-al-Harriya

A preaching tent in the city of Tabqa – Western Sector / Wilayat al-Raqqah

Islamic State in Iraq and Sham: Mother of the Faithful Aisha Institute

Bread-making in the ISIS stronghold of al-Shaddadi, Hasakah province

Multiple battalions issue statement rejecting fight against ISIS in Deir az-Zor; insist on the ‘Nusayri enemy’

ISIS whips a man 60 times because…he insulted his neighbour

Coverage of Friday prayers / Abu Hurairah Mosque in the city district of Raqqa Province

A Da’wah lesson delivered by one of the brothers in the mosque of the village of “Haymar Labda” in the Manbij District Wilayat Halab

Form for female education in Shari’a sciences in al-Bab, Aleppo province

The General Sharia Committee in Raqqa Province – City District

Raqqa Province Post Office – City District

Noon prayer at al-Na’im roundabout in the middle of Raqqa province – city district

Islamic State in Iraq and Sham Workers of the General Services Authority clean the streets of the city of Manbij at night

An Islamic court run by ISIS in the Homs desert area

Secondary Sources:

Reports: Umar Shishani Gives Ultimatum To Jabhat al-Nusra In Deir Ezzor – From Chechnya To Syria

New Pro-Islamic State Of Iraq And Syria (ISIS) ‘News’ App For Android, Available At Google Play Store

Tyumen Jamaat In ISIS Writes About Sharia Cops, Burning Cigarettes | From Chechnya To Syria

Syria: ISIS tightens grip, Nusra takes losses – Al-Monitor

Terrorist Designations of Groups Operating in Syria

Treasury Designates Al-Qa’ida Leaders In Syria

Syria’s jihadist groups fight for control of eastern oilfields – FT

The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham and the “Cleansing” of Deir ez-Zour

Syria jihadists ban mannequins in shops: watchdog

ISIS Destroys 3000 Year-old Assyrian Artifacts in Syria

The Last Days of Abu Mariyah al-Qahtani

On April 4, Maysar ‘Ali Musa ‘Abd Allah al-Juburi (better known as Abu Mariyah al-Qahtani) and described by those that supported and admired him as the “beloved uncle” was killed in a suicide attack at his guest house in Sarmada, Syria while receiving guests during Ramadan. This comes on the heels of him being released from prison by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham on March 7 after he had been jailed in the infamous espionage “security cell” case in mid-August 2023. He had allegedly been in contact with Western intelligence, but was then exonerated, alongside many other members of HTS who had been swept up in the “security cell” case based on poor interrogation tactics (ie. torture). Though many counter this narrative that HTS pushed when releasing him and that it was really due to internal pressures from the tribes and clans within HTS territory that have grown clout in recent years and backed al-Qahtani due to his ties to the al-Juburi tribe. While I could write an entire post about the latter “security cell” issue, I’m more interested right now in highlighting how Abu Mariyah spent the last month of his life. Below you will find a visual timeline of what we know Abu Mariyah was up to in his last month. Primarily hosting supporters from tribes and clans in the “liberated areas” congratulating him for being released from prison. Based on the fact that he had been hosting so many people in the lead up to his assassination, it is not surprising that the assassin and those behind it made a plan to exploit this openness in Abu Mariyah’s guesthouse meetings to kill him. This ends the long chapter of Abu Mariyah’s jihad in Iraq and Syria against global, regional, and lower powers.

March 7: First Photo of Abu Mariyah After His Release

March 8: The Juburi Tribe Statement Hoping HTS Holds Those Accountable For the False Accusations Against Abu Mariyah

The Qays Tribe, al-Sadah Nu’im Tribe, and Revolutionaries From Hama Congratulating Abu Mariyah On His Release From Prison

People of the East at the Reception Ceremony for Abu Mariyah

March 9: Abu Mariyah and Some of the “Vrothers” Who Were Arrested in the Security cell Case

Abu Mariyah With Men of HTS’s General Security Service

March 11: Abu Mariyah, Shaykh Abu Yusuf Halfaya, and One of the “Sistinguished Brothers

March 12: Abu Hasan al-Hamwi and HTS’s Military Wing Meets with Abu Mariyah

The Shaykhs and Notables of the Hashemite al-Jamlan Tribe, Hosted by Abu Mariyah, Congratulate Him on His Safety and Dress Him in the Robe of the Arab Shaykhdom

The Visit of the Shaykhs of the Mawali Tribe in the Liberated Areas to Abu Mariyah

The Bani Khalid Tribe Extends Its Congratulations On the Safety and Innocence of Abu Mariyah

March 13: Speech by Shaykh Ayman al-Rashid al-Hashimi in Welcoming the Abu Mariyah

Part of the Reception of Delegations from Notables and Tribes in the Liberated Areas in the Reception Tent of Abu Mariyah

March 14: Six Consecutive Days of Visits By Delegations From the Tribes and Notables of the Liberated Northern Syria to Abu Mariyah Congratulating Him on His Acquittal and Release From Prison

A Group of “Mujahidin Brothers” In the Military Wing Visited Abu Mariyah and Congratulated Him on His Acquittal

Shamal al-Ghazi Is Hosted By Abu Mariyah Congratulating Him On His Safety and Dressing Him in the Fida’i Shemagh

The Revolutionary Munashid Abu Shahid Dariya and a “Group of Mujahidin” in the Liberated North of Syria Congratulate Abu Mariyah On His Safety and Innocence

March 15: Dignitaries and Clans Continue to Arrive at the Reception Tent for Abu Mariyah To Congratulate Him On His Acquittal

March 16: Visit of the Notables and Mujahidin of the People of the Town of Talhadiya to Abu Mariyah to Congratulate Him on His Acquittal

March 17: The Visit of Shaykh Abu Safiyah al-Kurdi to Abu Mariyah to Congratulate Him On His Acquittal

March 18: The visit of Jamil al-Salih, Commander of Jaysh al-‘Izzah, and Shaykh Abu Yusuf al-Hamwi to Abu Mariyah to Congratulate Him on His Innocence and Safety

Visit of the Notables and Shaykhs of the al-Bu Sha’aban Tribe, the al-Na’im Tribe, and the Bani Makhzoum Clan to Abu Mariyah to Congratulate Him On His Acquittal

The Visit of the Notables and Mujahidin From Saraqib City to Abu Mariyah to Congratulate Him On His Innocence and Safety

Poetic Verses From Mukhtar and One of the Notables of the Town of Harbanush to Abu Mariyah to Congratulate Him On His Acquittal

March 21: The Visit of the Shaykhs of the al-Jahish Tribe to Abu Mariyah to Congratulate Him on His Innocence and Safety

The Visit of the Notables and Shaykhs of the al-Ubayd al-Zubaydiyah Tribe to Abu Mariyah to Congratulate Him On His Innocence and Safety

March 22: Delegations From All the Liberated Cities and Towns Continue to Come to Congratulate Abu Mariyah

March 23: Delegations From All Liberated Cities and Towns Continue to Come to Congratulate Abu Mariyah on His Safety and Innocence

March 27: The Shaykhs and Notables of the al-Bu Sha’aban Tribe, al-Zubaydiyah al-Qahtaniyah Clan, From the Southern Countryside of Aleppo, Hosted by Abu Mariyah Congratulating Him on His Safety, and They Dress Him in the Cloak of the Arab Shaykhdom and Present Him With the Sword of the Tribes and Clans in the Liberated Areas

The Visit of the Notables of the al-Jabur Tribe, the al-Majadmah Clan From the Orontes Countryside, to Congratulate Abu Mariyah On His Safety and Innocence

March 28: Delegations From All Liberated Cities and Towns Continue to Come to Congratulate Abu Mariyah On His Escape From the Plot That Was Set Against Him

March 29: Delegations From All Liberated Cities and Towns Continue to Come to Congratulate Abu Mariyah On His Innocence and Safety

March 31: The Shaykhs and Notables of the al-Mawali Tribe, the al-Jamammah Clan, Are Hosted By Abu Mariyah Congratulating Him On His Safety and Presenting Him With the Sword of the Tribes and Clans in the Liberated Areas

April 2: The Visit of Aal Salim In the City of Sarmada to Abu Mariyah to Congratulate Him on His Innocence and Safety

A Good Word From One of the Shaykhs of the Syrian Clans and Tribes in the Liberated Areas to Abu Mariyah

April 4: Statement from Hay’at Taḥrīr al-Shām’s Shaykh ‘Abd al-Raḥīm ‘Aṭūn: “Condolences On the Martyrdom of the Brother Shaykh Maysar Bin ‘Alī al-Jabūrī (Abū Māriyah al-Qaḥṭānī)

The Hand of Treachery Assassinates Shaykh Abu Mariyah al-Qahtani In the City of Sarmada

The Minister of Interior, Mr. Muhammad ‘Abd al-Rahman, Clarifies the Circumstances of the Case of the Martyrdom of a leader in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham

April 5: Video message from Hay’at Taḥrīr al-Shām: “Testimony of One of the Victims of the Treacherous Bombing That Targeted the Leader Abū Māriyah al-Qaḥṭānī”

Hay’at Taḥrīr al-Shām: “The Military Wing: For the Martyred Shaykh Abū Māriyah al-Qaḥṭānī”

Hay’at Taḥrīr al-Shām: “On the Martyrdom of Shaykh Abū Māriyyah al-Qaḥṭānī”

The Site of the Suicide Bombing That Caused the Martyrdom of Shaykh Abu Mariyah al-Qahtani In His Guesthouse In the City of Sarmada

The Remains of the Suicide Bomber Who Detonated His Explosive Belt In the Guest House of the Martyred Brother Abu Mariyah al-Qahtani in the Sarmada Area in the Northern Idlib Countryside

The Sword Presented By the Suicide Bomber and the Remains of His Explosive Belt That He Detonated On Shaykh Abu Mariyah al-Qahtani

The Martyr Shaykh Abu Mariyah al-Qahtani

Commander Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani Bids Farewell to the Martyr Shaykh Abu Mariyah al-Qahtani

Funeral Prayers For the Martyr Shaykh Mujahid al-Muhajir, Abu Mariyah al-Qahtani, At Zayd Bin Harithah Mosque In the City of Idlib

The Funeral and Burial of Shaykh Abu Mariyah al-Qahtani

April 6: Dr. Yusuf al-Hajar Abu al-Bara”s Condolences For Shaykh Abu Mariyah al-Qahtani

Aal Tayfur Aal Harhuba In Sarmada — Condolence Statement to Shaykh Mujahid Abu Mariyah al-Qahtani

Relatives of the Mujahid Shaykh Abu Mariyah al-Qahtani from al-Sham — A Statement On the Martyrdom of Shaykh Abu Mariyah al-Qahtani

A Statement of Condolence From the People of the Hawran in the Liberated North of Syria To the Family and Friends of Shaykh Abu Mariyah al-Qahtani

Majlis Aal al-Sayyid Issa’ — A Statement of Condolence On the Martyrdom of Shaykh Abu Mariyah al-Qahtani

Condolences From the ‘Ubayd Tribe On the Martyrdom of Shaykh Abu Mariyah al-Qahtani

April 7: A Statement of Condolence From the Qays Aylan Tribe – Aal Rahal in Ma’r Shmarin For the Martyred Shaykh Abu Mariyah al-Qahtani

April 8: Statement of Condolence By the Majlis al-Shura of the Hashemite Zu’abi Tribe

April 9: The al-Bu Sha’aban Tribe in the Liberated Areas Extends Its Deepest Condolences and Sincere Sympathy to the al-Jabur al-Qahtaniyah Tribe on the Martyrdom of One of the Symbols of the Fields of Jihad

April 12: A Tribute From One of Shaykh Abu Mariyah al-Qahtani’s Companions

Road to the Caliphate: April 22-28

Primary Sources:

Islamic State of Iraq and al-Shām: “The Path of Glory”

‘Cleansing al-Raqqah from Baghdadi’s “gangs” is the name of this Friday according to the (Syrian Revolution) page

ISIS runs an electricity office in Raqqa province

Wilayat al-Barakah – Misarah – The electricity and cleaning workshops went to do their duty, and a committee was appointed to inventory the people’s losses and work to compensate them

Secondary Sources:

Blast kills ISIS leader in Syria’s Hasakah – Al Arabiya News

Road to the Caliphate: April 15-21

Primary Sources:

‘Abd Allah ‘Azzām Brigades’ Mājid bin Muḥammad al-Mājid: “From the Wise to the Wise: The Maturity in Coming Down to al-Shām in the Announcement of the Islamic State: Message to Dr. Ayman al-Ẓawāhirī”

Shaykh Abū Muḥammad al ‘Adnānī al-Shāmī: “This is Not Our Manhaj, Nor Will It Ever Be”

The Islamic Police in Maskanah

ISIS certificate in Raqqa province for an excellent cub scout

Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham teaches Qur’an memorization to children in the mosques of Wilayat Raqqa

The mobile preaching truck shares the dawa materials in Wilayat Raqqa

“”Raqqa Prospers Silently” future mothers throughout the Islamic State”

Abu Usamah, ISIS in Hasaka says any Nusra fighter who hands in his weapon and rejects Nusra, his tawbah will be accepted

80% of the new market built by ISIS in central Raqqa has been completed

Secondary Sources:

“داعش” تغتال أمير “النصرة” في إدلب مع أفراد عائلته أخبار سورية – زمان الوصل

For Extremists In Syria, Extortion Brings Piles Of Cash From Iraq – NPR

Road to the Caliphate: April 8-14

Primary Sources:

Jabhat al-Nuṣrah: “An Interview With Shaykh Abū Sulaymān al-Muhājir”

Islamic State of Iraq and al-Shām: “He Named You Muslims”

Jabhat al-Nusrah — About the Recent Events in the Eastern Region

Distribution of relief aid to the displaced from the city of al-Safira, Manbij Region, Wilayat Halab

ISIS executes a magician – Wilayat Hims

Pictures from the land of Euphrates – Eastern Region – Wilayat al-Raqqah

Secondary Sources:

Jihadist ideologues call on Zawahiri to detail problems with former al Qaeda affiliate – The Long War Journal

Syria Qaeda loses ground to jihadist rivals on Iraq border

الحنيطي في سورية لإجراء مصالحة بين داعش والنصرة

Road to the Caliphate: April 1-7

Primary Sources:

Islamic State of Iraq and al-Shām: “A Man of the Believers: Elegy for the Commander Abū Usāmah al-Maghribī Who Was Killed By the Treachery Front”

Shaykh Abū Muḥammad al ‘Adnānī al-Shāmī: “He Will Surely Establish For Them [Therein] Their Religion Which He Has Preferred For Them”

Islamic State of Iraq and al-Shām: “But Who Is Better Than God In Judgement”

Nusra jurist: Al-Adnani’s speeches are dead on arrival; nobody cares. When I ask anyone if he listened, he says no

Nusra commander: “[Al-Adnani] says, ‘Anyone who considers about going to war with us better think hard about it!’ “Jabhat al-Nusra expelled you from Deir al-Zour in six hours.”

Tribesmen in Homs desert area pledging allegiance to ISIS

Times for call to prayer for this month in Raqqa province

Female School for the Memorization of the Quran in Raqqah, Syria

A preaching tent in al Tabni, Raqqa State

Raqqa Province, the preaching convoy

Secondary Sources:

A Late-Night Phone Call Between One Of Syria’s Top Extremists And His Sworn Enemy

Road to the Caliphate: March 25-31

Primary Sources:

Islamic State of Iraq and al-Shām: “Messages from the Land of Epic Battles #22″

ISIS threatens to destroy the tomb of Suleiman Shah and gives the Turkish government 3 days to withdraw its members who are protecting the shrine

Manbij, distributing dawa brochures

Good morning, glory and empowerment of Raqqa Province

Education Center for the Fundamentals of Religion For Men

Qaswara al-Jazrawi military training camp

Propaganda phrases on the walls of official offices in the Manbij area in Wilayat Halab

Among the Hisbah activities in Tabqah in Wilayat al-Raqqa: burning cigarettes and drugs

‘We fight in Iraq and al-Sham; and our eyes are on Bayt al-Maqdis’ (Jerusalem)- ISIS billboard in Hasakah province

Schedules for learning Qur’an etc. in various Raqqa mosques

The first batch graduates from the Lions camp in Badiya Province

Good night, peace be upon you

Secondary Sources:

Syria: Inside an Al Qaeda prison – Telegraph

Syria: the jihadi town where ‘brides’ are snatched from schools – Telegraph

ISIS seizes town from Nusra in Hassakeh province | THE DAILY STAR

War between ISIS, Jahbat al-Nusra splits Deir Ez-Zor tribes – Al-Monitor

Road to the Caliphate: March 18-24

Primary Sources:

Islamic State of Iraq and al-Shām: “Messages from the Land of Epic Battles #21″

Islamic State of Iraq and al-Shām: “On the Recent Events”

Abu Usamah al-‘Iraqi admits to killing fighters from the Jabhat al-Nusra in the gas plant

A very important statement distributed in the city of Al-Bab

A checkpoint in Wilayat al-Raqqah

ISIS cubs having breakfast before join survival and military training

ISIS cubs in Abu Musab al-Zarqawi camp for military and survival training

ISIS has crucified a man accused of murder in Raqqa’s central Clocktower Square

Bakery in Wilayat al-Raqqah

ISIS certificates distributed for female students who memorize Qur’an (Raqqa province)

A vehicle plastered with ISIS da’wah material

Statement from ISIS where they clarify that they will not interfere with the running of colleges in Raqqa

The Islamic police station in Manbij

The Islamic State carries out retaliation against a man who killed a man and then stole his money – Wilayat Raqqah

Secondary Sources:

Disillusioned foreign fighters abandon rebel ranks in Syria – FT

Inside an ISIS Prison/ A Syrian Doctor Shares His Story and Appeals to the World for Help

ISIS enforces strict religious law in Raqqa – Al-Monitor

Road to the Caliphate: March 11-17

Primary Sources:

Shamūkh al-Islām Forum: “Declaration of Our Stance On the Ongoing Events in al-Shām”

Lessons in the Shari’a mosque in the ISIS-stronghold of Jarabulus, Aleppo province

Admissions Office for the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham in Manbij, Aleppo province

Pledge of allegiance of the Shihabi clan [the largest of the al-Bab clans] to Shaykh al-Baghdadi

A new batch of mujahidin graduated from al-Zarqawi military training camp

Da’wah pamphlets distributed by ISIS in al-Bab, Aleppo province- “Our role in supporting Islam”

Secondary Sources:

Al-Qaeda splinter group in Syria leaves two provinces: activists

“داعش” يخسر ثلاث قرى بحلب ويواصل انسحابه من جبلي التركمان والأكراد أخبار سورية – زمان الوصل