ERBIL, Kurdistan Region—Two Islamic State radio stations in Mosul, whose broadcasts are clearly received in the two Kurdish districts of Barda Rash and Akre, are being investigated by the Ministry of Peshmerga.
“I have heard myself that they had a program in Kurdish and they were talking about some clerics in the city of Hawler [Erbil] apparently banned by the government from Friday prayers and replaced by other clerics,” said Muhamad, a resident of Barda Rash. “They [ISIS] said the Kurdish government is banning clerics that speak the truth of Islam and the government is not allowing honest clerics to tell people about the Islamic State.”
At least 14 people have so far joined the Islamic State from the Kurdish-populated district of Barda Rash, which is only 25 kilometers away from the center of Mosul, ISIS’ stronghold in Iraq, local officials said.
Ismael, another resident of Barda Rash who did not want his real name used, said he often listened to ISIS radio channels because he wanted to know what is going on inside Mosul.
“I often listen to Daesh [ISIS] channels while driving. Once they were talking about their fight against Peshmerga,” Ismael said. “I want to know what is happening inside Mosul.”
Some other residents told Rudaw
“Having ISIS radio stations heard from Barda Rash and Akre is a threat to Peshmerga forces and the people of the region,” Halgurd Hikmat from the Ministry of Peshmerga told Rudaw. “We must resolve this problem as soon as possible.”
The ISIS stations, broadcasting in Arabic and occasionally in Kurdish, worried some residents while others were curious to hear about what is happening inside the city of Mosul.
“I have heard myself that they had a program in Kurdish and they were talking about some clerics in the city of Hawler [Erbil] apparently banned by the government from Friday prayers and replaced by other clerics,” said Muhamad, a resident of Barda Rash. “They [ISIS] said the Kurdish government is banning clerics that speak the truth of Islam and the government is not allowing honest clerics to tell people about the Islamic State.”
At least 14 people have so far joined the Islamic State from the Kurdish-populated district of Barda Rash, which is only 25 kilometers away from the center of Mosul, ISIS’ stronghold in Iraq, local officials said.
Local officials claimed that they did not know about the ISIS radio stations.
Ismael, another resident of Barda Rash who did not want his real name used, said he often listened to ISIS radio channels because he wanted to know what is going on inside Mosul.
“I often listen to Daesh [ISIS] channels while driving. Once they were talking about their fight against Peshmerga,” Ismael said. “I want to know what is happening inside Mosul.”
Some other residents told Rudaw
they have also listened to ISIS radio broadcast more than once but said they were afraid to speak out due to security reasons.
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