According to a civilian source in Raqqa City, the Islamic State of Iraq and Al-Sham (ISIS) has issued a new law that orders the compulsory military conscription of all men living in the self-professed “Khaleefa” (Caliphate) in the Syrian provinces of Ar-Raqqa, Deir Ezzor, and Al-Hasakah; and also in the provincial capital of the Nineveh Governorate in Iraq.
The new law requires men between the ages of 15-25 to fulfill their Islamic duty and protect their Caliphate from all infidels (kuffar) and apostates (murtadeen). ISIS courts will allow civilians to bypass mandatory conscription in Syria and Iraq if they pay a fee of $1,315 (U.S.), which is converted to 1.5 million Iraqi Dinars and 237,883 Syrian Pounds. Failure to pay the fee or join the military in the Caliphate will result in the imprisonment of the conscripted male.
This law is relatively new in Syria; however, this law was implemented in Mosul last month after being approved by the ISIS Shariah Courts. The civilian source in Raqqa City was not able to confirm whether or not religious minorities will be forced to serve in ISIS’ militant groups – also, no non-Sunni ISIS member has ever been identified.
