The checkpoint at the entrance to the Syrian town of Addana is where members of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, used to dump the bodies of those they had executed to remind others of the consequences of violating their harsh rules. Now that ISIS has left the town, a flag representing the Islamic Front flies over the checkpoint.
ISIS reign of fear in Addana, Syria —
The checkpoint at the entrance to the Syrian town of Addana is where members of the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, used to dump the bodies of those they had executed to remind others of the consequences of violating their harsh rules. Now that ISIS has left the town, a flag representing the Islamic Front flies over the checkpoint.
Raja Razek/CNN
ISIS moved into the conservative town about a year ago and was initially welcomed by rebels fighting the Syrian government. Once entrenched, ISIS began enforcing strict rules.
ISIS reign of fear in Addana, Syria —
ISIS moved into the conservative town about a year ago and was initially welcomed by rebels fighting the Syrian government. Once entrenched, ISIS began enforcing strict rules.
Raja Razek/CNN
People shop and sell goods in the town center midday in Addana. Under ISIS rule, shops were forced to close for the noon prayers, and activities such as smoking were banned. Those who violated the rules were executed or just disappeared.
ISIS reign of fear in Addana, Syria —
People shop and sell goods in the town center midday in Addana. Under ISIS rule, shops were forced to close for the noon prayers, and activities such as smoking were banned. Those who violated the rules were executed or just disappeared.
Raja Razek/CNN
A young boy stands guard near what used to be an ISIS jail. This area that overlooks the town was used for training and executions.
ISIS reign of fear in Addana, Syria —
A young boy stands guard near what used to be an ISIS jail. This area that overlooks the town was used for training and executions.
Raja Razek/CNN
Black paint, used by ISIS to mark its territory, can still be seen on the entrance to the jail area. ISIS painted many of the buildings in the town black to announce its presence, and the locals have recently repainted many of the buildings white.
ISIS reign of fear in Addana, Syria —
Black paint, used by ISIS to mark its territory, can still be seen on the entrance to the jail area. ISIS painted many of the buildings in the town black to announce its presence, and the locals have recently repainted many of the buildings white.
Clayton Nagel/CNN
This warehouse was used as a jail to hold and execute prisoners. A mass grave was found behind it, and bullet holes mark its walls.
ISIS reign of fear in Addana, Syria —
This warehouse was used as a jail to hold and execute prisoners. A mass grave was found behind it, and bullet holes mark its walls.
Raja Razek/CNN
Residents dig up the mass grave behind the jail in an effort to identify those killed and to bury them properly.
ISIS reign of fear in Addana, Syria —
Residents dig up the mass grave behind the jail in an effort to identify those killed and to bury them properly.
Raja Razek/CNN
A shoe, a severed foot and several socks are uncovered at the grave site. This is significant to the residents because a missing man was last seen in the market buying socks for his family.
ISIS reign of fear in Addana, Syria —
A shoe, a severed foot and several socks are uncovered at the grave site. This is significant to the residents because a missing man was last seen in the market buying socks for his family.
Raja Razek/CNN
The bodies of three brothers were also discovered in the grave.
ISIS reign of fear in Addana, Syria —
The bodies of three brothers were also discovered in the grave.
Hazem Syrian/CNN
This man came to identify the bodies of his brothers. He knew two of them were dead, but he had hoped that one was still alive and being held elsewhere by ISIS.
ISIS reign of fear in Addana, Syria —
This man came to identify the bodies of his brothers. He knew two of them were dead, but he had hoped that one was still alive and being held elsewhere by ISIS.
Hazem Syrian