TV Report on Tribal Retribution against Families of ISIS Members in Ramadi, Iraq

According to a TV report aired on October 25, tribal retribution is being carried out against families of ISIS members in the city of Ramadi, Iraq. The graffiti written by ISIS on the walls of homes of people wanted by the organization has now been replaced by the slogans "Wanted by the tribe." "An eye for an eye," say the residents of Ramadi, a city in which lawlessness has spread, according to the Iraqi Kurdestan NRT TV report.

Reporter: "The slogans are different, but similar in essence. A new phenomenon began to spread in the city of Ramadi shortly after it was recaptured from ISIS. The graffiti: 'This property is an endowment of the Islamic State,' written by the militants on the walls of the homes of people wanted by ISIS, has been replaced by the graffiti: 'Wanted by the Tribe' - targeting families of people accused of belonging to this extremist organization."

Man 1: "I definitely understand this. Take me, for example. I'm a policeman, and this used to be my home. ISIS destroyed my home. Nothing ever happens to the homes of the leaders. It is always the homes of the low-ranking policemen or officials that are destroyed. Besides, who will pay me compensation? There is no compensation or anything. Don't tell me that nobody knows who joined ISIS, killed people, and destroyed or burned down their homes. I couldn't bear it if someone who tried to kill me returns to this city. That's inconceivable. According to tribal law, it is a life for a life, and for the destruction or burning down of a home, you respond in kind."

Man 2: "We will have an eye for an eye, like Allah said: 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and reprisal in wounds.' Whoever hurt us - we will hurt him back."

Reporter: "It is not surprising in a tribal community like that of Al-Anbar Province for the tribe to have the final say. But this phenomenon has begun to reflect lawlessness. Thus, tribal law is allowed to determine the fate of some citizens, even when there is not a shred of evidence proving the guilt of these people. The tribes have their own ways to investigate and implement punishments, and it all starts with the sentence 'Wanted by the tribe,' written on the door or a wall of the home."