User:Crtew/Murder of Ibrahim Abdul-Qadir and Fares Hamadi

Murder of Ibrahim Abdul-Qadir and Fares Hamadi is about the killing of two journalists from Syria. The two had lived in Raqqa, Syria and were reporting on atrocities committed by the Islamic State in a continuing Syrian Civil War. The two received multiple death threats and retreated to Sanliurfa, Turkey where they believed that they would be safe. These two were the first to be murdered outside of the Islamic State's territory. These two men had worked together for the organization Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently. Hamadi had disassociated from the group because of the death threats he was receiving.

Personal
Ibrahim Abdul-Qadir was born in Syria around 1993. He had a brother named Ahmed. Fares Hamadi was born in Syria around 1995.

Career
Ibrahim Abdul-Qadir was one of the founding members of the citizen-journalist group Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently. He was the executive director for Eye on the Homeland newspaper. Fares Hamadi was a journalist for the Eye on the Homeland newspaper. The two were were working within Raqqa, Syria to gather information on the Islamic State's wrongdoings. They collected information and passed it along to others who could report on it from outside the country.

Death
The two journalists were found dead in their apartment in Sanliurfa, Turkey on October 30, 2015. The Islamic State took credit for the murders in a video which revealed Hamadi's body with his throat cut. The two were killed in traditional ISIS fashion. They were both shot in the head and then beheaded. Qader suffered from multiple stab wounds as well. While the two were living in Sanliurfa, Turkey, they were contacted by Surer, a friend of Qadir. Surer had claimed to have defected from the Islamic State. He and two others lured Qadir and Hamadi to his apartment, which was coincidentally across the street. When they arrived they were ambushed and killed there. The windows had been covered to prevent anyone outside from seeing the attack.

On August 11, 2017 a man named Muaz El Ahsin was arrested for the murders of Hamadi and Qadir.

Context
In an effort to spread their beliefs, the Islamic State moved into and took over the city of Raqqa in Syria. They either drive out or torture and kill those of opposing beliefs. This group puts on a show to the outside world that hides what actually happens. The members of the groups like Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently work anonymously within the city walls to inform people around the world of the bad things that are actually happening in ISIS controlled territories. The group takes photographs and videos to go along with their reports. The Syrian Civil War has been ongoing for approximately five years with hundreds of thousands of casualties throughout the region. Citizens have to live with the constant threat of being attacked in the country.

Impact
This attack proves that ISIS has a network extending beyond their territory and can be a bigger threat than had previously been estimated. Even countries surrounding Syria might still be at risk from the Islamic State. This shows that ISIS is willing to go to greater lengths to keep people silent about what is happening within the region.

Reactions
Nina Ognianova of the Committee to Protect Journalists said that "these murders show how the grave risks journalists face in Syria have metastasized across the porous border with Turkey."

Ahmed, brother of Ibrahim, said of his work with the press, "If they think this will stop me, they are wrong. I'm more determined.  We will keep going until we are finished with ISIS.  This is a promise for Ibrahim and all of the victims of Raqqa."

Abu Ibrahim Raqqawi, a founder of RBSS, said "I can't say anything other than RIP my dear friend, we will meet in heaven."