WORLD
US officials say the documents have helped deepen their understanding of a militant group whose skill in controlling the territory it has seized has surprised many.
Islamic State has set up departments to handle "war spoils," including slaves, and the exploitation of natural resources such as oil, creating the trappings of government that enable it to manage large swaths of Syria and Iraq and other areas.
The hierarchical bureaucracy, including petty rivalries between officials, and legal codes in the form of religious fatwas are detailed in a cache of documents seized by U.S. Special Operations Forces in a May raid in Syria that killed top IS financial official Abu Sayyaf. Reuters has reviewed some of the documents.
US officials say the documents have helped deepen their understanding of a militant group whose skill in controlling the territory it has seized has surprised many. They provide insight into how a once small insurgent group has developed a complex bureaucracy to manage revenue streams - from pillaged oil to stolen antiquities - and oversee subjugated populations.
"This really kind of brings it out. The level of bureaucratization, organization, the diwans, the committees," Brett McGurk, President Barack Obama's special envoy for the anti-IS coalition, told Reuters.
For example, one diwan, roughly equivalent to a government ministry, handles natural resources, including the exploitation of antiquities from ancient empires. Another processes "war spoils," including slaves.
"Islamic State is invested in the statehood and Caliphate image more so than any other jihadist enterprise. So a formal organization, besides being practical when you control so muc contiguous territory and major cities, also reinforces the statehood image," said Aymenn al-Tamimi, a fellow at the Middle East Forum think tank and an expert on IS's structure.
The documents also show how "meticulous and data-oriented" IS is in managing the oil and gas sector, although it is not a sophisticated operation, said Amos Hochstein, the State Department's top official for energy affairs.
US officials said the documents have helped the anti-IS coalition to pinpoint vulnerabilities. The United States and its allies have been using air strikes to degrade the group's oil infrastructure and target key officials.
The documents show the Islamic State is not immune to the rivalries and personality clashes that typify bureaucracies everywhere. A Nov. 21, 2014 letter from the Diwan of Natural Resources emphasizes that Abu Sayyaf is in charge of handling antiquities.
"The reason being is that he is very knowledgeable in this field and that Abu Jihad al-Tunisi is a simpleton who can't manage the division," it says.
KINDNESS AND CRUELTY
Reuters could not independently verify the authenticity of the documents it obtained, which represent a fraction of the material seized in the Syria raid. U.S. forces captured a huge amount of data in the form of computer hard drives, thumb drives, CDs, DVDs and papers.
Many of the seized documents are fatwas, or religious rulings, covering issues from rape of female prisoners and the treatment of slaves with minor children to when it is permissible for a son to steal from his father to fund travel to fight jihad, or holy war.
Reuters reported last week on a previously undisclosed ruling by the Islamic State's Research and Fatwa Committee that sanctions the harvesting of human organs. The fatwa raises concerns that the violent extremist group may be trafficking in body parts.
A booklet entitled "From Creator's Rulings on Capturing Prisoners and Enslavement," lays out rules on enslaving women seized from vanquished "infidels." The October 2014 document, reviewed by Reuters, attempts to ground the rules in Islamic law.
Citing sayings of the Prophet Mohammad, the booklet calls for both kindness and cruelty to captives by Islamic State fighters.
Enslaved women should not be separated from their children, it says, but elsewhere the rules allow Islamic State fighters to have sex with female slaves.
Middle East Forum's Tamimi said the fatwas are intended to bolster Islamic State's claim that it is a legitimate state.
The rules not only apply to captured territory in Iraq and Syria but also its self-declared provinces in Africa, the Sinai and South Asia. They cover even mundane issues.
In the documents, there is a ruling on proper procedure for filling out the personal details of prospective fighters: name, gender, and communications method - telephone, telegram, Skype or the mobile messaging service WhatsApp.
Station master's phone call with ex-wife led to Rs 3 crore loss to railways, know how
Aligarh Muslim University entitled to minority status under Article 30: SC
Collaborative global response a must to combat climate change effectively: Dr Sanju Purohit
Splitsvilla, Crime Petrol-fame actor Nitin Chauhaan passes away at 35 allegedly by suicide
Worrying signs for Mukesh Ambani's Rs 840960 crore company? Elon Musk will push Donald Trump to...
Have Virat Kohli, Anushka Sharma moved back to Mumbai? Here's what we know
Mukesh Ambani, Nita Ambani are fond of these five dishes which cost Rs...
Meet Indian-origin Kashyap 'Kash' Patel, who could be Donald Trump's likely pick for CIA Chief
Donald Trump's second term worries Elon Musk's transgender daughter, says....
Meet IAS officer, who was a disabled bangle seller, cracked UPSC exam, is now serving in...
Meet IAS officer, who is nemesis of criminals, cracked UPSC exam with AIR 36, she is...
SC to pronounce verdict on Aligarh Muslim University's minority status today
Happy Chhath Puja 2024: Top 50 wishes, What'sApp messages, quotes to share with your loved ones
Viral video: Woman's sensual dance to 'namak' sets internet on fire, watch
SA vs IND, 1st T20I: Predicted playing XIs, live streaming details, weather and pitch report
SA vs IND, 1st T20I Dream11 prediction: Fantasy cricket tips for South Africa vs India match
Meet man who is set to lead Truecaller, not from IIT, IIM, earlier served Vice President of...
DNA TV Show: Why Pakistan worried about a Donald Trump presidency
Pakistan bow down as THIS country set to host India’s Champions Trophy 2025 matches
Amid heavy pollution in Delhi, these 12 Indian cities enjoy fresh, clean air
Bigg Boss 18: Vivian Dsena confides in Kashish Kapoor about his stepdaughters, talks about his...
After S Jaishankar's conference, India slams Canada for action against Australian news channel
Sidhu Moosewala's parents share NEW pic of his baby brother, netizens say 'so cute'
‘It definitely does a lot of good to my ego’: Aishwarya Rai gets candid in film promotion interview
Ignored for Australia Tests, India star slams sensational Ranji Trophy double ton
Interviewer asks Aishwarya Rai ‘how do you look so fab’, she says…
How Biden’s Lame-Duck Period Could Influence Policy Decisions After Choosing Not to Run in 2024
Watch: Viral video shows heated argument between passengers in Delhi metro
Virat Kohli's 'new chapter for me' post ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy sends internet into frenzy
Mukesh Ambani, India's richest man, donated over Rs 400 crore in one year, Gautam Adani gave Rs...
Delhi: Air pollution in national capital spike during Chhath Puja, AQI reaches 'severe' level
AUS vs PAK Live Streaming: When and where to watch Australia vs Pakistan 2nd ODI live in India?
'I gain weight as body...' Arjun Kapoor reveals being diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease
Stark Visas: The Best Immigration Consultant in Delhi Sets Immigration Dreams High in Ahmedabad
KREEVA targets top 1% elite for its ultra-luxury homes in Delhi-NCR’s prime locations
Tata Group acquires another company for over Rs 18 crore days after Noel Tata joins board
WPL 2025 Retentions: Full list of players retained and released by all 5 franchises
ED raids main vendors of Amazon, Flipkart across multiple cities, including Delhi, Mumbai due to...
Anil Ambani suffers major setback, his company banned for 3 years due to...
Meet woman, a cuddler, professional hugger, earns Rs 7400 in 1 hour, she is...
Meet teen who started working from garage, now set to make Rs 25 crore at just 16 from...
Viral video: Slum children recreate Sabyasachi bridal wear, designer reacts; WATCH
Missing Home on Chhath Puja: Yearning and significance behind Bihar’s holy festival
Chhath Puja 2024 Day 4: Usha Arghya date, timings of sunrise, puja rituals, significance and more
Ricky Ponting wants Babar Azam to follow Virat Kohli's footsteps for THIS reason
Elon Musk's net worth surges by Rs 2193295096200 in a day after...
Meet India's richest female YouTuber, left teaching job, has Rs 43 crore net worth, now works as...
This fruit is called non-vegetarian, it is...
Meet man who was India's biggest con artist, he sold Taj Mahal, Rashtrapati Bhawan, Red Fort...
Nita Ambani reveals husband Mukesh Ambani follows a strict diet, here's what he eats
'Tu jhuti woh makkar': Influencer accuses 10-year-old of groping her; narrates ordeal in viral video
Richa Chadha, Ali Fazal name their daughter, Zuneyra Ida Fazal; it means...