A recut version of the 55 min IS propaganda video 'Flames Of War' reduced to 3min 52s. All anti-Western propaganda, most anti Syrian propaga...
A recut version of the 55 min IS propaganda video 'Flames Of War' reduced to 3min 52s. All anti-Western propaganda, most anti Syrian propaganda and most material which is explicitly of crime scenes and war crimes being committed is removed, as is the original audio.nnIncluded are the action sequences demonstrating the peculiar mix of weaponry which IS are using. The sequential visual narrative of the original which details the battle field successes of IS in Iraq and Sham (Northern Syria), including the capture of Raqqa airbase. nnThe limited sequences demonstrating IS's actual State functioning - showing a wheat harvest being collected and rallies where their administrative flag (white background Shahada) is being waved by a crowd of civilians is included.nnThe ID's which were displayed of Syrian soldiers from Raqqa is preserved: The original footage showing the capture and execution of soldiers who were escaping the airbase in civilian clothing (intercepted by IS road blocks set up prior to the assault on the airbase) is removed.nnThe final sequence depicts the execution by a hooded takfiri commander of captured Syrian soldiers after their being forced to dig their graves. The sequence involving soldiers denouncing Assad on camera are removed, as is the final sequence showing close up shots of the dispatched soldiers clearly showing exit wounds from the bullets used in dispatch. The parallels in this sequence of production with the 'Message to America' hostage execution videos is striking. The original audio of the hooded individual suggests an English accent similar to that of the Takfiri included in the hostage videos.nnSuch treatment of what were at that point prisoners of war does constitute war crimes under Geneva.nnIt should be noted that the soldiers were executed on the basis that they were fighting for a secular government: That they were in fact Muslim was irrelevant to the executioners. That reasoning was demonstrated elsewhere, sometimes quite graphically (and not included in this cut), and is relevant to understanding how many in IS are reconciling their actions.nnThe music overlay is intended to dilute the original threatening tone of the propaganda images and sanitize to a degree the imagery which is included. The original video aimed to create an atmosphere of fear in certain viewers whilst delivering a credible political message. In this observers opinion, the original failed in its attempt to deliver the message, but it did helpfully document many incidents which undermine the attempted core political message of the original: That IS has political legitimacy.nnSubtly, the music track references a reality that IS enjoys greatest support among French nationals within Europe.nn----nnCopyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. Less
