By Omar Abdurrahman
DEIR EZ-ZOR, Syria (North Press) – Investors and residents in Deir ez-Zor Governorate in eastern Syria face continuous threats from sleeper cells of the Islamic State (ISIS), forcing them to pay royalties or otherwise risk their lives and livelihoods.
Muhammad al-Muhammad, a pseudonym for an oil investor in Deir ez-Zor, tells North Press that he has been in the oil investment for three years. Initially, things went well, but then he received a message from a fake number claiming to be linked to ISIS, demanding $2000 as a royalties under the name of “zakat.”
Al-Muhammad says that he initially hesitated as to pay it, report to authorities, or ignore the message, but the threats became more intense.
One day, however, he finds a paper on his car threatening to kill him if he refused to pay. The paper was stamped with an ISIS seal.
Threats, royalties
Residents in Deir ez-Zor live under the constant threat of ISIS cells or those claiming to be affiliated with the group to make money through imposing royalties on business owners and capitalists.
Al-Muhammad decides to contact the person who sent the message to inquire about how to deliver the money. The money was delivered to a masked man riding a motorcycle near makeshift oil refineries in a town. He noticed other masked men carrying weapons and riding motorcycle nearby.
He adds that after delivering the money, he received a message stating to pay the same amount of money at the beginning of each month.
Al-Muhammad tried to ignore the message, but after a month, he received another message threatening him to pay the $2000. He decided to report to the Internal Security Forces of North and East Syria (Asayish) and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), and deleted the phone number.
The security forces could not deter their threats. Two days later, ISIS militants threw a sound bomb at al-Muhammad’s house as a warning. A couple days later, they targeted an oil tanker at the well he invested in, completely burning the well and the tanker.
Al-Muhammad had to pay again in the same manner as before, but this time the situation was more frightening as he was threatened to be killed if he contacted the Asayish again or delayed in paying the money.
Under pressure from ISIS, Muhammad left his job in oil investments, giving up his livelihood to escape threats and extortion.
Al-Muhammad’s story reflects the harsh reality many investors in Deir ez-Zor face. They find themselves threatened by ISIS militants who exploit the security chaos to generate financial resources for their activities.
Economic impact
ISIS intimidation methods vary as militants post stamped papers on the victims’ doors or cars, in addition to sending message via Whatsapp.
These harassments have prompted many traders to stop working. Some of them chose to give in and pay them, while others moved to other areas in search of safety.
Fahad al-Abd, a livestock trader and sheep breeder from the eastern countryside of Deir ez-Zor, was subjected to blackmail.
He says he received a text message early in 2024, demanding him to pay $1000 or give a flock of 10 sheep as a royalty.
At first, he hesitated and resisted, trying to explain he cannot afford it, but he had to accept the reality due to the escalating threats.
Escaping threats
Al-Abd recounts his experience of paying ransom, saying that he paid the required amount, placing the money in a black bag next to a school.
The ISIS militants told him to leave the bag and walk away without looking back. He heard the sound of motorcycles and the militants shouting “Allah Akbar.”
He adds that after about three months, he received another message to pay $700. When he refused to pay, his house was shot at with an AK-47 rifle.
After that, ISIS militants contacted him from another number, threatening to kill him. He asked them to give him five days to sell some of his sheep, to which they agreed.
The next day, he sold his sheep and house and left Deir ez-Zor, where ISIS still imposes its dominance and law on the residents.
Common phenomenon
Jamil al-Hassan, a civil activist from the countryside of Deir ez-Zor, says that imposing royalties has recently become a common phenomenon affecting oil well investors, wholesale traders, relief organization employees, and wealthy property owners.
Al-Hassan adds that these individuals are constantly being blackmailed and threatened by groups linked to ISIS demanding money under the name of zakat.
Zakat is a form of almsgiving, which requires all Muslims to donate some money, according to their wealth and income, to charity.
The activist points out that these practices force residents and the rich people to comply with ISIS orders and lose their enthusiasm for rebuilding their devastated areas.
He emphasizes that it is necessary to find effective solutions to stop these violations and rebuild the affected communities.