Buzz
10. Absence of Starbucks
A Russian extremist known as 'Green Bird of Dabiq' is under close surveillance by the Middle East Media Research Institute, offering a rare glimpse into the struggles of life as a terrorist. Among these challenges is the lack of Starbucks in ISIS-controlled areas.
It remains unclear what Green Bird expected when she joined an anti-imperialist Islamic militant group, but it seems she still held out hope that Starbucks would remain untouched by the group's anti-Western ideology. She expressed her longing in a tweet: 'I know it may be shirk, but sometimes I miss Starbucks. The coffee here is absolutely terrible.'
Contrary to typical expectations, some individuals who ventured into the desert with intentions of becoming terrorists have turned back due to unexpected grievances, such as the absence of latte services in their armories. A Belgian fighter even took to Twitter to express his disdain for the local cuisine, stating, 'The food here is absolutely unpalatable,' and emphasized his dislike for Arab food from the outset.
These complaints, though rare, highlight the peculiar dissatisfaction among some ISIS members, who risk severe consequences by voicing their displeasure online about the lack of familiar comforts like Starbucks or McDonald’s in their new harsh environments.
9. The Entire Population Practices Islam
Marlin Nivarlain's involvement with ISIS was influenced by her boyfriend's interest in the group. The young woman from Sweden, after discovering her partner viewing ISIS propaganda, contemplated and concluded that there was no harm in supporting such activities.
When her partner decided to relocate to Syria to fight against perceived Western evils, Nivarlain chose not to oppose his plans. Unfamiliar with the Islamic faith and its practices, she nonetheless accompanied him, prioritizing their relationship over her own beliefs and safety.
Nivarlain described her experience with ISIS as 'extremely challenging,' a sentiment that aligns with common expectations but was entirely unexpected for her. After months of hardship, she finally secured access to a phone, contacted her mother, and expressed her desire to return home.
However, returning home wasn’t an option for her, as she was prohibited from leaving. Eventually, with the covert assistance of the Kurdish army, she escaped. She returned pregnant, carrying the child of a radical extremist, and hopefully with a clearer grasp of global political dynamics.
8. The Salons Lack Style
Interestingly, ISIS draws a significant number of women. While adapting to a life of burkas and stringent sharia law, many of these women seek out one particular comfort—hair care products.
ISIS forums and blogs are flooded with grievances from newcomers who are shocked by the limited fashion options in Syria compared to Europe. One woman lamented, 'The local style is far from appealing, and the makeup often leans toward a clownish appearance.' She advised fellow female members to rely on friends for fashion advice. Another woman tweeted a photo of a shampoo bottle, captioning it, 'Completely useless,' expressing her frustration over her hair’s frizzy condition.
Interestingly, solutions exist. Female ISIS members exchange tips on where to get eyebrows shaped, which shampoos work best, and where to find hair extensions. Being fully covered doesn’t mean one has to neglect their appearance underneath.
7. The Men Lack Respect Toward Women
If you’re seeking a place where women are treated as equals, where would you go? Answering 'an ISIS training camp' would be absurd, yet some individuals seem to believe this. Migrants from developed countries to ISIS often voice complaints about the disrespectful treatment they receive from men, mistakenly assuming the group upheld progressive values regarding women’s rights.
Honestly, I’m growing increasingly weary of the male migrants here. I frequently feel harassed. Women are constantly restricted—what’s the point?
She further expressed her frustration, stating that men 'yell at us and address us rudely in public,' highlighting the lack of respect women face within ISIS. Muhajira had been under the impression that male ISIS members were renowned for upholding women’s rights. She left the West, believing ISIS would offer a more respectful environment, even citing her desire to 'escape impolite behavior' as her primary motivation.
Unsurprisingly, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi did not address the issue by organizing sensitivity training or issuing reminders about equal rights to his followers.
6. Smoking Is Strictly Prohibited
In 2014, ISIS enforced strict rules against actions deemed haram, or forbidden by Islamic teachings. While this included cracking down on drinking and profanity, their primary focus was on smoking, a violation they treated with extreme severity, even executing high-ranking members for breaking the rule.
ISIS demonstrated their seriousness by confiscating and burning millions of cigarette packs. They also implemented a harsh punishment system, administering 40 lashes for a first offense and executing repeat offenders. Many members found this rule unbearable, willing to sacrifice their lives for the cause but unwilling to give up smoking. For them, this was where they drew the line.
Some members reportedly crossed borders secretly just to smoke a cigarette without being detected. However, one man, Flavien Moreau, a French citizen, refused to quit smoking. He abandoned his weapon, returned home, and accepted a seven-year prison sentence for terrorism—all to avoid giving up his cigarettes.
5. They Don’t Follow Queues
Omar Hussain, a British man, grew tired of his mundane job at a supermarket and sought a drastic change. Unable to afford a tropical vacation, he joined ISIS. However, after enduring a life filled with violence, he became disillusioned. He vented his frustrations on his blog, complaining about the lack of order, particularly the absence of queues.
Hussain ranted about the uncivilized behavior of Syrian ISIS members, contrasting it with British norms. He described waiting in line for hours only to have someone cut in front of him, people refusing to wait their turn during meals, and others unplugging his phone while it charged. He also highlighted the issue of stolen shoes, noting that it was common for Syrian members to grab any pair of shoes after leaving a mosque, regardless of ownership.
This bizarre insight reveals that even those intent on causing harm face the same trivial annoyances as everyone else. Despite these frustrations, Hussain quickly shifted focus, posting the next day about why the UK should be obliterated.
4. The Internet Connection Is Unbearably Slow
Some Western members of ISIS find the conditions intolerable and decide to return home. One individual, overwhelmed by the brutality and hardships of life in Syria, wrote to his parents expressing his desire to leave. 'I’ve had enough,' he said. 'I need to come back.' His reason? 'My iPod won’t work here.'
3. They Expect You to Engage in Combat
Life in ISIS isn’t always mundane. While some handle menial tasks, others are thrust into combat. Not everyone is prepared for this reality. One member wrote a frantic letter to his parents, confessing, 'They’re planning to send me to the front lines, but I have no idea how to fight.'
It’s unclear why someone would abandon a comfortable life in France without being prepared for combat, but his predicament might not be as unusual as it seems. While the media focuses on ISIS’s terror, the group heavily promotes propaganda portraying the Islamic State as a paradise with hospitals and public services. They also target more than just fighters, actively recruiting families and children, even going so far as to build theme parks to attract them.
However, when newcomers discover that the Islamic State falls far short of their utopian expectations, the outcome is far from amusing—it’s devastating. In just one month, ISIS executed 120 foreign fighters who attempted to return home by shooting them.
So, Mytour readers, stay where you are. No matter how enticing their theme parks may seem, joining ISIS is never a good idea.
2. It’s Incredibly Dull
France has contributed a surprisingly high number of jihadists to ISIS, but many are growing disillusioned. Around 100 have returned home, not out of moral objection to the violence, but simply because they found life with the terrorist group unbearably dull.
Joining ISIS doesn’t guarantee a spot on the front lines. Many members are assigned mundane tasks like distributing food and clothing. One jihadist wrote home, saying, 'I’ve done almost nothing but hand out supplies,' while another grumbled about being stuck with dishwashing duties.
The tedium of working for one of the world’s most feared organizations drives some to return home. Although they face imprisonment upon their return, they seem to accept this fate, suggesting that ISIS is even more monotonous than life behind bars.
1. There’s a Lack of Beheading Videos
What occupies ISIS members online? Surprisingly, their activities mirror ours in many ways. Just as we speculate about upcoming seasons of shows like Game of Thrones and eagerly await new episodes, ISIS members passionately discuss their preferred content—beheading videos.
You might have encountered some of these videos. The infamous clips of Jihadi John executing civilians played a significant role in making ISIS both notorious and reviled. While such videos infuriate many, particularly Americans, they seem to captivate ISIS members.
Interestingly, ISIS members share similarities with avid fans eagerly awaiting George R.R. Martin’s The Winds of Winter, reveling in dramatic deaths and violence. The key difference is their focus on real-life brutality rather than fictional narratives.
