Syria

Al-Qaeda fighters imprison 60 Syrians, take over court and bribe people with free food and petrol as they try to turn the country into an Islamic state

• Town's mixed schools segregated and shop businesses intimidated
• 200 residents have pledged loyalty to the group as rebels face arrest 

Sixty Syrians have been kidnapped and imprisoned by Al-Qaeda terrorists trying to set up a state ruled by a supreme religious and political leader across the country.

Fighters from the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) have targeted a town near the Turkish border where 200 residents have already pledged loyalty to the group.

The local sharia court has been taken over by 'foreigners', schools with mixed sexes up to the age of six have been segregated and businesses intimidated.

Street scene: The town of Azaz near the Turkish border which has been taken over by al-Qaeda as part of an attempt to turn Syria into an Islamic state

Last month, al-Qaeda seized the town of Azaz, - until recently the main centre for foreign aid delivery - from a moderate rebels, the Times reported.

 

Speaking by Skype, activist Mahmoud told the paper: 'People are afraid. If ISIS knows you hate them, they will arrest you.'

There are signs and wall murals heralding the coming of the caliphate, or religious state. 

'They have been visiting people in their shops, telling them they have to work to make the caliphate," added Mahmoud.

Target: Locator map of Syria showing Azaz which has been taken over by al-Qaeda terrorists

ISIS, believed to number up to 8,000 fighters, have learned from their mistakes in Libya where they fought against Colonel Gadaffi's army but won no land when he was defeated.

Now they hand out free food and petrol and pay for streets to be cleaned as they woo the 40,000 residents.

In local squares, speakers promote Jihad, resisting President Assad's regime and offering activities for children.

Rebel: A Syrian fighter fires at forces loyal to the regime in in a street near Aleppo

ISIS also picks fights with rival rebel groups, attacking them then ruthlessly taking control of their territories.

Another activist Mohannad, who spoke in Turkey after leaving Syria the previous day told the Times: 'If ISIS have a problem with you, they say you are a kaffir [infidel] and they kill you. None of the other brigades would do this.'