Islamic State ISIS
French jihadists depicted in Raqqa talking of the Charlie Hebdo attack Al-Hayat Media

Foreign Islamist fighers in Al-Raqqa are living in the best houses with free electricity and health care and treating local Syrians "like slaves", according to an activist living in the Islamic State (Isis) stronghold.

Abu Mohammed told IBTimes UK that IS has brought in generators to get power running in the city, which is sold to locals at inflated rates but provided to fighters - many from European countries - free of charge.

On the fourth anniversary of the outbreak of Syria's civil war, Abu Mohammed said life in the IS-held areas of the country was increasingly hopeless. Raqqa has made headlines in recent weeks for the execution of a gay man who was thrown from a roof and the setting up of schools for young jihadis.

"It is the same horrible and ugly life under the rule of Isis. Life is dangerous and people are afraid. They try to stay away from Isis fighters, fearful of being caught or receiving a punishment that may lead to death," Abu Mohammed said via Skype from his home in Raqqa.

"The fighters live in homes inside the city, and they act as if they are masters and the people of Raqqa are their slaves."

In recent days, Abu Mohammed said new traffic laws had been introduced with heavy fines for those falling foul of the rules. He said private health clinics had been closed and the public hospital in Tel Abyad was open but with high prices for treatment.

He had no new information about Shamima Begum, 15, Kadiza Sultana, 16, and 15-year-old Amira Abase, who flew from London to Turkey on 17 February and crossed into Syria en route to Raqqa to join IS.

It was Abu Mohammed, via his website Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently, who confirmed to international media that the girls had arrived in the city.

Looking forward, the blogger and activist said he felt that nobody was willing to help the people of Raqqa and both the regime of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad and IS were killing Syrians with impunity.

He was increasingly concerned for his own safety and has had to flee Syria on more than one occasion over fears his true identity had been discovered.

Abu Mohammed said: "I'm always afraid even here I have to use a fake name. If Isis capture me they will certainly cut off my head in the middle of Raqqa."

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