ERBIL – Iraqi Sunni tribes revealed a list with the names of hundreds of their own members who have joined the radical group of Islamic State (ISIS) in Iraq’s western province of Anbar, local sources reported on Sunday.Over the past few days, local activists published online the names of hundreds of tribal members who pledged allegiance to ISIS in the provinces of Anbar, Nineveh and Salahuddin in mid-2014.
“The names were completely mentioned in the list along with the jihadi names appointed by the terror group for each recruit,” local media activist Jamal Salman told ARA News.
The source pointed out that the names of the recruits were dubbed as jihadis and leaders.
“Recruits’ missions were included in the documents beside their names,” he reported.
Speaking to ARA News, Suleiman Khader, an Iraqi citizen based in Ramadi city, said that ISIS left behind dozens of electronic devices, computers, files and confidential documents after its withdrawal from the city.
“Iraqi intelligence has received a copy of the listed names who will be definitely prosecuted and held accountable by authorities,” Khader said.
But Abu Hadi, another resident of Ramadi, told ARA News that this is likely a kind of propaganda aimed at attacking certain tribes in the province of Anbar.
“It may be plotted by some parties to retaliate for political or tribal rifts,” he argued.
The Iraqi army had declared the liberation of Ramadi from ISIS earlier in December. However, the militant group fought back and regained several districts across the city after renewed clashes with Iraqi army troops, where dozens of fighters were reported dead on both sides. The US-led coalition forces have played a major role for pushing the group back in the last few months.