Dr Gloom 19840 Posted December 15, 2014 Author Share Posted December 15, 2014 explain the irony Isis fighters crave snacks and gadgets of the west they disdain Erika Solomon in Beirut Thousands of foreign fighters who have flocked to Syria want to create an austere Islamic state harking back to the past. But they have retained their taste for the modern-day snacks and gadgets of the western countries they disdain. Locals are not only living in fear of these militants, who use brutal mass executions and beheadings to impose their rule, but they are also trying to find ways to survive an economic crisis provoked by three years of civil war. Many say that the best strategy is catering to the tastes of the fighters they loathe. Crisps, chocolates, energy drinks and non-alcoholic beer are the treats of choice for many foreigners fighting for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis), which has expanded across a swath of Syria and Iraq. It claims to be building a caliphate to emulate the days of Islam’s prophet Mohammed. Isis’s religious edicts and foreign fighters’ tastes are transforming local economies in areas the group occupies. Shops selling alcohol are closed, while junk food vendors, clothing stores – especially ones offering military-style apparel – and mobile phone shops make a modest profit. “The economy in Isis areas is now driven by the foreign fighters. Everything else is at zero,” says Saleh, a clothing retailer from the central Syrian city of Raqqa. Many shopkeepers in Syria’s rural east had never heard of energy drinks like Red Bull before foreign Isis fighters arrived. Nor had vendors in the eastern city of Deir Ezzor ever dreamt of selling Snickers or Bounty – the favourite brands of chocolate bars for militants from Europe and the Gulf. “These snacks were either unknown, or luxuries we couldn’t afford . . . But when the fighters requested them, I didn’t ask questions. I ran to my supplier and placed an order,” says Nassim, a shopkeeper who used a pseudonym for his safety. “Pringles and Snickers? Isis guys buy those by the box to share at the front.” In Raqqa, a vendor who asks to be identified as Qasim says a can of Red Bull costs around 250 Syrian lira (about $1.50), while in Deir Ezzor, a tube of Pringles cost about $5.50. Both are well above the average $3 per day that most Syrians in the area now live on. Local businessmen buy the crisps and non-alcoholic beer from regime-held areas, and add an extra 10 per cent to the price to cover the bribes at army checkpoints. Energy drinks and chocolates are brought over the border from Turkey.Locals say Isis foreign fighters have a basic salary of at least $215 dollars a month – twice the average income civilians can hope to earn. On top of that are shares of war loot, a $3 daily food stipend, and frequent bonuses. “They never even check prices,” says Saleh. “Money isn’t a concern for them.” In eastern Syria, shops in areas where local residents carry battered Nokia phones are now stocking the latest smartphones. The town of Deir Ezzor is under siege by Syrian forces and is often bombed up to 20 times a day, but that has not stopped eager local traders from using the only river crossing to bring in Samsung Galaxies and iPhones. “We even have the iPhone 6 in Deir Ezzor,” says a shopkeeper who asked not to be named. “The Isis guys, especially the ones from the Gulf, are obsessed with mobiles,” he adds. “Every time a model comes out, they trade in their old one and buy the newest thing. If they don’t bring a local [to the shop], you can add another 30 to 40 dollars. Maybe even more.” They govern us in the name of religion, living the good life while everyone else suffers- ‘Nassim’, shopkeeper in Deir Ezzor Tweet this quote But while some businesses are thriving, others have disappeared: cafés – once a focus of neighbourhood life in Syrian towns – are now non-existent. “What do you do in a café? You smoke. That’s forbidden,” Qasim says. “Isis was always raiding cafés in Raqqa – they were the symbol of activist meetings and lovers’ rendezvous – both absolutely unacceptable to Isis.” Harsh laws separating men and women have also made restaurants less popular for locals. “Now all the restaurants in Raqqa except one have moved to delivery – we prefer to go home and eat among ourselves without them. The one restaurant that’s open is filled with Isis fighters,” Qasim says. Shopkeepers and café owners are relieved to find a way to make ends meet in Isis controlled areas. But for the vast majority of Syrians, even the fighters’ simple snack cravings are a bitter reminder of their second-class status. “They govern us in the name of religion, living the good life while everyone else suffers,” Nassim says. “Sometimes my customers say ‘God willing, they’ll eat it [the junk food] and get poisoned.’ But there is nothing we can do.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Carr's Gloves 3211 Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 I was quite tolerant of your stupidity to be fair. Oh Jen you tease:-) You are such an intolerant prick it is hilarious. What with you being an immigrant yourself who partakes in the fucking over of your countries indiginous population. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmill 34631 Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 Christ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ken 119 Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 Oh Jen you tease:-) You are such an intolerant prick it is hilarious. What with you being an immigrant yourself who partakes in the fucking over of your countries indiginous population. I don't partake in any such activities you weak, far left-wing wanking apologist. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gloom 19840 Posted December 15, 2014 Author Share Posted December 15, 2014 I'm definitely a wanking apologist Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meenzer 14068 Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Carr's Gloves 3211 Posted December 15, 2014 Share Posted December 15, 2014 I don't partake in any such activities you weak, far left-wing wanking apologist. Simply by being there Jen you contribute. If only you could contribute to informed debate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 70 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 (edited) Wow! This was quite unexpected. Edited December 17, 2014 by Park Life Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kid Dynamite 5941 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Fox News are fucking unreal man. Makes Sky News look high brow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmill 34631 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 I like a bit of TYT. Fox are an absolute joke like. Sky News will end up that way eventually. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gloom 19840 Posted December 17, 2014 Author Share Posted December 17, 2014 I don't think the UK would tolerate Fox News. We're too used to balanced and impartial TV news. That said, we do have the Daily Mail, so who knows? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewerk 26479 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 News stations in the UK are required by law to be impartial so thankfully we'll never have anything like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Fish 9015 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 I don't think the UK would tolerate Fox News. We're too used to balanced and impartial TV news. That said, we do have the Daily Mail, so who knows? Not sure if the angry right are a big enough market in the UK to encourage Murdoch & his goons to go full FOX news here. I'm not sure if we in Britain are as polar as the they are in the States Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex 30462 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Toonpack as the guest on Fox News there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr Gloom 19840 Posted December 17, 2014 Author Share Posted December 17, 2014 the way they laugh at the students for using clever words like "outlandish" ffs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmill 34631 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Toonpack as the guest on Fox News there. "My daddy and my granddaddy both had gerrrns" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 70 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex 30462 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Hasn't that already been posted on here? He's spot on like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex 30462 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Did you ever see this, btw? (Might've also been posted on here tbh) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jt1cOnNrY5s Fox at their finest again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Park Life 70 Posted December 17, 2014 Share Posted December 17, 2014 Yeah seen that one. Bale in trouble with Fox. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ausman 0 Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 Fox News are fucking unreal man. Makes Sky News look high brow We all know who owns Sky and Fox, that's with out a doubt the biggest parasite there is fucking Rupert Murdoch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ewerk 26479 Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 We all know who owns Sky and Fox, that's with out a doubt the biggest parasite there is fucking Rupert Murdoch. The lovely chap who took time out to congratulate his paper for being the first to catch the cops storming the Lindt cafe while making no reference to the victims. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ausman 0 Posted December 18, 2014 Share Posted December 18, 2014 The lovely chap who took time out to congratulate his paper for being the first to catch the cops storming the Lindt cafe while making no reference to the victims. That's the cunt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gemmill 34631 Posted December 19, 2014 Share Posted December 19, 2014 http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/just-dump-man-haron-monis-body-at-sea-muslim-leaders-say/story-fnl2dlu7-1227161221594?nk=a631fa964207b773450b902637d949e1 SYDNEY’S chief Islamic funeral director yesterday declared no Muslim funeral home would accept the body of terrorist Man Haron Monis and authorities should just dump his corpse at sea or “chuck him in the bloody shithouse”. Bloody oath mate. Straight in the bloody shithouse. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christmas Tree 3997 Posted May 17, 2015 Share Posted May 17, 2015 Getting nearer to Bagdad. Should / Can anything be done? Are they going to spread further? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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