"The militants break into houses and grab satellite dishes citing legal grounds as a pretext," the local resident, who asked not to be named for security reasons, explained. Three months ago Daesh released a directive that urges people to "refrain from watching satellite television since it ostensibly features immoral content" aimed against Islam and the group.
The vehicle belongs to municipal authorities, the source said. Municipal assets have been controlled by the brutal group that enforces a strict interpretation of Sharia.
The so-called Islamic police have been dispatched to look for satellite TV dishes installed on Mosul houses and remove them, the resident detailed. The militants have removed the bulk of satellite TV equipment from homes located on the western bank of the Tigris.
Those who fail to comply with the directive face physical punishment and a fine. An individual found guilty of resisting the campaign is sentenced to 80 lashes and must pay an amount determined by the militants on a case by case basis.
The militants overran Mosul, the second largest city in Iraq, in a blitz offensive on June 10, 2014. In recent months, Iraqi security forces and their allies have launched a campaign to retake areas under Daesh control. In June, they pushed the militants out of Falluja.
