Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain

Top Menu

  • About US
  • Join US
  • Videos
  • Infographics
  • Comment
  • Question and Answer
  • Watch us Live

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Viewpoint
  • Islamic Culture
  • Da’wah
  • Media
  • People
    • Sheikh Taqiuddin an-Nabahani (Founder)
    • Sheikh Abdul Qadeem Zallum (Successor)
    • Sheikh Ata Abu Rashta (Ameer)
    • Abdul Wahid
    • Abu Yusuf
    • Jamal Harwood
    • Taji Mustafa
  • Books
  • Youth
  • Covid-19
  • About US
  • Join US
  • Videos
  • Infographics
  • Comment
  • Question and Answer
  • Watch us Live

logo

Header Banner

Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain

  • Home
  • Viewpoint
    • Bangladesh Floods: farcical mantra of economic success disguising failure to provide basic ...

      June 24, 2022
      0
    • The Sectarian Card – Shia and Sunni divisions under the spotlight

      June 5, 2022
      0
    • Making Sense of Pakistan

      April 16, 2022
      0
    • How Should We View the War in Ukraine?

      March 30, 2022
      0
    • The India Hijab Issue from an Islamic Perspective

      March 24, 2022
      0
    • DEEP DIVE: The Weaponisation and Politicisation of British Citizenship Laws

      March 12, 2022
      0
    • Our Role in the Ukraine war is to Expose the Propaganda

      March 2, 2022
      0
    • Muslims Should Rejoice Over the Islamic Ruling System

      January 21, 2022
      0
    • Another Warmonger Honoured for Serving the British Elite

      January 2, 2022
      0
  • Islamic Culture
    • Reading Quran

      The story of the man who was told to “Enter Paradise” and ...

      January 24, 2022
      0
    • Significance of Rabi’ul-Awwal

      October 10, 2021
      0
    • Virtues of the Month of Muharram

      August 10, 2021
      0
    • The significance of first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah

      July 10, 2021
      0
    • The Honour of the Prophets

      April 30, 2021
      0
    • A to Z of Ramadan

      April 19, 2021
      0
    • The Dawah to Allah (swt)

      December 29, 2020
      0
    • Miracle of the Quran

      Q & A - Compilation of The Holy Quran During the Reign ...

      December 27, 2020
      0
    • Imam Bukhari: A Role Model for the ‘Ulema and Da’wah Carriers to ...

      November 17, 2020
      0
  • Da’wah
    • National Conferences : From al-Hind to al-Quds: Speak Out | Act | ...

      June 18, 2022
      0
    • Public Demonstration - Independence Not Intervention

      April 22, 2022
      0
    • VIDEO : [LIVESTREAMED] Pakistan in Crisis: The Players, Politics, and People

      April 20, 2022
      0
    • Ramadan Message: The World Needs Islam - We Must Work for the ...

      April 1, 2022
      0
    • The India Hijab Issue from an Islamic Perspective

      March 24, 2022
      0
    • Ramadhan event: Kyiv to Kabul: The World Needs Islam

      March 20, 2022
      0
    • Obituary of a Dawah Carrier Dr. Youssef Haj Youssef

      December 30, 2021
      0
    • Open Letter to Imams and Muslim Leaders

      September 28, 2021
      0
    • Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain Sends Delegation to Chinese Embassy Condemning the Inhumane Treatment ...

      June 30, 2021
      0
  • Media
  • People
    • Sheikh Taqiuddin an-Nabahani (Founder)
    • Sheikh Abdul Qadeem Zallum (Successor)
    • Sheikh Ata Abu Rashta (Ameer)
    • Abdul Wahid
    • Abu Yusuf
    • Jamal Harwood
    • Taji Mustafa
  • Books
  • Youth
  • Covid-19
News Watch
Home›News Watch›Raqqa residents on US strikes: ‘I would not wish them on my worst enemy’

Raqqa residents on US strikes: ‘I would not wish them on my worst enemy’

By Editor
September 25, 2014
869
0
Share:

When the bombs rained down on Raqqa in eastern Syria early on Tuesday, many families were already huddled in their homes awaiting the inevitable.

The first strikes landed just after 2am, directed at sites that Islamic State (Isis) has openly used and that had long been flagged as targets. The jihadis were no longer there though, having blended in with Raqqa’s civilian population, where they knew they would be safer.

By daybreak, the governorate building, an Isis command post for the past 15 months, a TV station and a Syrian military base had been destroyed. According to several residents who spoke to the Guardian, up to 30 people were killed. Most, if not all, were militants.

The rest of the city remained hunkered down until the roaring jets and whining drones above had long gone.

“At first, I thought it was an air strike by Assad,” said local resident Mohammed Sheiko. “But it was different this time. It lasted for 30 minutes and the sound of bombing was louder than usual. I saw smoke coming out of the governorate building and from the al-Rasheed gardens.

“I called a couple of my friends and they didn’t know about any civilians killed, but they heard some Isis fighters were killed, around 30 to 35 fighters. I don’t fear the air strikes. I hope they will bring us some good and not attack civilians.”

Hiba, 20, a student, said: “I heard the sound of the bombing, like everyone in Raqqa. I can already see the success of these strikes. Isis fighters have already started leaving the city, following their families, who they evacuated a while ago.

“There are no words to describe the bombing. It was a scene I wouldn’t wish my worst enemy to face. I was on the balcony with my little sister and we could hear the sound of planes and I was joking with her and said: ‘Comb your hair and smile, you are being filmed.’

“Later the bombing started and we all ran to the living room, everyone screaming and running in different directions. We didn’t know what to do. Our neighbour went to the hospital and asked if they needed blood and they said no because they haven’t got any injuries. Most people who left their homes live near Isis headquarters. We won’t leave our home. There is no point. We believe in destiny.”

Reem, 20, a university student, sheltered at home with her four younger sisters and parents. “My mum doesn’t want us to leave. She says we will stay home like the rest of the people in the city,” she said. “We have nowhere else to go. My little sisters kept crying when they heard the bombing. They are still panicking. There are very few shelters in the city and all we can do is hide on the ground floor of our home and gather together in one room.

“I don’t know of any civilians being killed. Isis is quiet now and they haven’t made any speeches yet. Today, it is rather quiet but the market is now open again and I see people in the streets.

“I believe the air strikes will bring some good results. Even if they manage to damage Isis a little bit, I am for them. We are fed up with Isis and the air strikes are much better than the Assad attacks on Raqqa. Assad doesn’t attack Isis, he attacks us. We want to get rid of Isis even if that means we will lose some of our people. This is the price we have to pay to have our freedom back.”

Another local resident, Yasir, 25, said: “I’ve heard that 30 Isis fighters were killed. We in Raqqa are split in our opinions about the air strikes. Many of us were upset as we heard today that Idlib was attacked and some headquarters of Jabhat al-Nusra and Ahrar al-Sham were hit. We feel that the air strikes aren’t against Isis, but against other groups. In the beginning, I was excited. But now I fear these attacks and the motivations behind them.”

Ahmed Sayel, 40, said: “I contacted a friend of mine who is an Isis fighter and he assured me it was a US air strike. He said some fighters are now martyrs, but I don’t know the number … I am not with these attacks as I know that it will only lead to the deaths of the Sunnis. I am pretty sure it won’t affect the Assad regime.”

The Guardian

Previous Article

US led strikes in Syria and Iraq ...

Next Article

Islamic State: David Cameron to meet Iran’s ...

0
Shares
  • 0
  • +

National Conferences

Join US on Telegram

Podcast

Latest Posts

Viewpoint

Bangladesh Floods: farcical mantra of economic success disguising failure to provide basic protection

Yet another monsoon season has ravaged Bangladesh, with the existing government as ill prepared as ever. More than 4.5 million people have been totally stranded and many killed in perhaps the ...
  • National Conferences : From al-Hind to al-Quds: Speak Out | Act | Liberate

    By Editor
    June 18, 2022
  • The Champions of Free Speech Haven’t a Leg to Stand on

    By Yahya Nisbet
    June 13, 2022
  • Two July Conferences on Indian and Zionist Oppression Organised by Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain

    By Yahya Nisbet
    June 10, 2022
  • The Sectarian Card – Shia and Sunni divisions under the spotlight

    By Editor
    June 5, 2022
  • Muslims Must Condemn the Hate Filled Film and the Attempt to Divide Us

    By Yahya Nisbet
    June 5, 2022
  • Protest in London Says No To More Democracy, Yes to the Khilafah

    By Yahya Nisbet
    May 7, 2022
  • Hizb ut-Tahrir Britain to Protest American Interference in Pakistan’s Politics

    By Yahya Nisbet
    May 1, 2022
  • Press Centre