Syrian activist condemns abductions

Soad stands alone for hours, outside the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) headquarters in Raqqa, north central Syria. She carries a sign: "No kidnapping, no detention, no robbery in the name ?of religion." "I began this sit-in against the ISIS after the kidnap of innocent civilians ?known for their opposition to the Syrian regime. As ISIS is always accused of being behind such crimes, I ?decided to sit in front of their headquarters," she explains.? Soad doesn't mind sharing her full name, but says the fear in her younger sister's eyes stops her from doing so. The female activist, once a primary school teacher, was suspended and then fired from her job two years ago after publicly speaking out against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime.? Sitting in front of the ISIS building on her own is nothing new for Soad. "I have done it before. When the Damascus government controlled the city, I carried the sign: Don’t ?arrest me, kill me before killing the children of Homs."? It was with that placard that Soad protested in Raqqa's central Tel Abiad street, in defiance of the heavy security presence.? The north central city has witnessed the abductions of a number of senior officials over the last 30 days, including the Italian priest and peace activist Paolo ?Dell’Oglio. Activists have carried out several sit-ins in response to these kidnappings. The last ?sit-in, demanded the release of Father Paolo, who had entered the ISIS headquarters for a pre-scheduled meeting with the group's emir on July 30. Sources now claim he was executed. Soad knows of the dangers of speaking out against the umbrella organisation of Iraqi insurgent groups, but says fortune favours the brave. "My friends have warned me of the dangers. Dealing with insurgents is harder than dealing with the ?regime, but I am stubborn and insist on protesting so ?that the kidnappers know that Raqqa is united against them." Everyday, Soad comes across several ordinary Syrians on the streets of Raqqa, who complain about ISIS kidnapping their sons. "I am a metre away from them. They don't know what to do. I hoped that someone would solve their plight."? Not everyone in Raqqa agrees with her approach. One of her former students who recently joined the ISIS ?approached her on the first day of her sit-in and asked: "How can you teach us religion and morals, when you stand like this?" She was shaken, but replied: "I didn't teach you to become terrorists and kidnap those who ?disagree with you." Then, out of nowhere, a person with a strong Saudi accent intervened. "Go ?away from here, don’t keep standing here," he yelled. "Who do this street belong to?" she asked him. "It belonged to Bashar [al-Assad], and now it is ours," he responded.? Soad believes that being a woman has its benefits. "No doubt. If I were a man, I would have been arrested straight away." For now, she wants to continue the sit-ins for as long as the abductions continue.