The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has begun distributing fliers in Fallujah instructing its fighters to impersonate Iraqi military forces and commit atrocities against civilians prior to their pullout from the city, according to a coalition spokesman.
The flier, obtained by the U.S. military, translated to English and shared with reporters on Tuesday, lays out instructions in case the city is retaken by Iraqi forces.
{mosads}The commands include “instruct the Mujahideens ‘holly fighters’ to dress similar to the PMF and [Iraqi Security Forces], killing civilians, torture them and film them.”
Another is to “assault some women and film this by dressing as the PMF and ISF members which will incite the Sunni’s commotions and grudge feelings.”
It also instructs ISIS fighters to fill mosques in Fallujah and the nearby city of Beiji with explosives, detonate them, film it and broadcast the bombings as “revenge acts” of Sunnis.
Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren said the document appeared to be legitimate and a “formal order.”
He said the order was aimed to discredit the Iraqi security forces and the government of Iraq, anda sign of ISIS’s desperation.
“Clearly, this isn’t the behavior of a legitimate government or of a legitimate military force, it’s the behavior of thugs, it’s the behavior of killers and it’s the behavior of terrorists,” Warren said.