Families of Slaughtered Tribesmen Return to Deir Ezzor

Hundreds of members of the al-Shaitat tribe returned to their home village of Gharanig, Deir Ezzor, on November 26, several weeks after Islamic State (IS, formerly ISIS/ISIL) leaders announced that locals may return under certain conditions. Up to 700 members of the tribe were reportedly slaughtered in August 2014 when IS seized the area as a result of local resistance.

This video, produced by the Deir Ezzor-based media group AlFourat Media Agency, shows a large procession of cars loaded with passengers and luggage entering Gharaneg village, with armed militants who identify themselves as IS fighters walking along the roads and conversing with people. The video also shows bulldozers around the city, described as “the Islamic State operating its resources to rehabilitate the village.”

At 1’28", two young local boys can be heard reciting hallmark Islamic State chants, “Long live Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the (Islamic) State is remaining and expanding.” US airstrikes continue to target IS strongholds around the oil-rich province. Credit: Alfourat Media Network