Christians prevented from leaving caliphate capital, forced to study jihad

Christians in Raqqa in Syria are being prevented from leaving and instead are being forced to study Islamist teachings such as jihad, according to activists in the city.

Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, the Syrian Campaign Against Islamic State and also the Assad regime, tweeted:

The group also tweeted: 

In addition, Raqqa is Being Slaugtered Silently tweeted examples of Islamic State propaganda urging followers to follow the examples of the terrorists who bombed Belgium and do the same in countries such as Germany.

The group estimates there are 43 Christian families with two or three people in each remaining in Raqqa. They have survived so far by paying a tax and agreeing to follow Sharia law. In addition, they are being protected from extremists by their Muslim neighbours.

Muslims also are being prevented from fleeing, whether they support Islamic State or not. 

The ISIS crackdowns on residents remaining in Raqqa, the headquarters of the so-called caliphate, came as Syrian government forces backed by heavy Russian air support drove Islamic State out of Palmyra on Sunday.

The loss of Palmyra, where some of the world's most important heritage sites were destroyed, came as a big setback for Islamic State.

Palmyra was recaptured with help from Russian and Syrian air strikes.

The victory meant the desert roads leading east towards Raqqa and the other main Islamic State stronghold, Deir al-Zor, are now open. 

related articles
ISIS has 400 trained terrorists ready to strike various targets in Europe, intel officials reveal
ISIS has 400 trained terrorists ready to strike various targets in Europe, intel officials reveal

ISIS has 400 trained terrorists ready to strike various targets in Europe, intel officials reveal

Islamic State driven out of Syria's ancient Palmyra city

Islamic State driven out of Syria's ancient Palmyra city

\'I asked God to kill me\': Yazidi girl recalls horrific ordeal as an ISIS captive for more than a year
'I asked God to kill me': Yazidi girl recalls horrific ordeal as an ISIS captive for more than a year

'I asked God to kill me': Yazidi girl recalls horrific ordeal as an ISIS captive for more than a year

Hope for Palmyra after ISIS occupation: Large parts of ancient city survived

Hope for Palmyra after ISIS occupation: Large parts of ancient city survived

Assad says he can form new Syria government with opposition
Assad says he can form new Syria government with opposition

Assad says he can form new Syria government with opposition

News
More Brits want better palliative care over assisted suicide - poll
More Brits want better palliative care over assisted suicide - poll

A new poll has found greater support among members of the public for improved palliative care than assisted suicide. 

Archbishop of Canterbury will be attending abortion vote in Lords on Wednesday
Archbishop of Canterbury will be attending abortion vote in Lords on Wednesday

The office of the Archbishop of Canterbury has confirmed she will be joining a key vote on abortion in the House of Lords this Wednesday after there was backlash over the suggestion she might be absent due to a planned pilgrimage.

Disestablishing Church of England 'will not be a priority' at next election, says Green Party
Disestablishing Church of England 'will not be a priority' at next election, says Green Party

The Green Party has responded to claims it wants to disestablish the Church of England by saying that this will "not be a priority" at the next General Election. 

AI still too inaccurate when it comes to Scripture, says YouVersion founder
AI still too inaccurate when it comes to Scripture, says YouVersion founder

YouVersion founder and CEO Bobby Gruenewald says artificial intelligence holds enormous promise. But when it comes to answering questions about God and Scripture, he believes the technology is not yet ready.