Life In Islamic State No 'Jihadist Utopia'

by Guest Mon Sep 21, 2015 5:05 pm

Fighters deserting the group that calls itself Islamic State have blamed corruption, brutality and poor quality of life on their decision to leave, according to a study.

The report, which tracked 58 defectors from IS over 18 months, also reveals the rate of individuals leaving the group is increasing.

Most former members declared life in the group did not meet their expectations of the “jihadist utopia” promised by the movement’s recruiters.

The report, published by researchers at the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation and Political Violence at King’s College London, reveals four narratives were singled out by defectors:

:: In-fighting

Defectors criticised IS's involvement in fighting against other Sunni rebels, while there were also accusations that IS had failed to confront the Assad regime in Syria.

:: Brutality against Muslims

Atrocities and the killing of innocent people came in for criticism, although brutality was not a "universal concern" but "caused outrage mostly when its victims were fellow Sunnis".

:: Corruption

Fraud and dishonesty was not considered to be a “systemic” problem but defectors had complained about incidents of commanders mistreating fighters or favouring some over others.

:: Quality of life

Poor living conditions were cited by a small number of former fighters and some were said to have “quickly realised that none of the luxury goods and cars they had been promised would materialise.”

Members from western countries in particular struggled to adapt to life with electricity shortages and a lack of basic goods. Others said promises of “action and heroism” in battle failed to come true.

The report added that defections from the group were "sufficiently frequent to shatter IS's image as a united, cohesive and ideologically committed organisation".

It added: "They demonstrate that IS is not the jihadist utopia that the group's videos promise; and that many of its own fighters have deep concerns about the group's strategy and tactics.

"They joined the most violent and totalitarian organisation of our age, yet they have also become its victims, and their stories can be used as potentially powerful tools in the fight against it."

http://news.sky.com/story/1556465/life-in-islamic-state-no-jihadist-utopia