Propaganda Wars in Mosul

That is why the IS group's propaganda has also somehow gained more credibility among some groups in the city. The IS propaganda addresses locals directly and uses pictures or videos of things that appear to really have happened, rather than hyperbole.

All of this is also why social media has become so much more important. Pages administered by Mosul journalists, from both inside and outside the city, have more credibility than many of the established media organisations who are not as close to the situation. The social media pages are also seen as the best option for contesting the IS group's own propaganda.

Most recently though, another type of media has proved particularly good at combatting the IS message. One of the most momentous developments on local television in the past few weeks in Mosul has been the show, Selfie. It's a 45-minute long satirical show by Saudi comedian, Nasser al-Qasabi, that screens on satellite channels. In the show al-Qasabi makes fun of things like the infamous “sex jihad” and the men and boys who join the IS group.

While many in the Arab world have been upset by al-Qasabi's antics, its had a positive impact on the people of Mosul – and as yet IS members have not tried to prevent locals in Mosul from watching it.

“This drama has become popular and everybody is speaking about it,” Issa Shihab, a Mosul resident, told NIQASH. “But only among friends and relatives - they talk about the scenes and compare the show with the actual practices of the extremists in Mosul. They make fun of them and laugh. Basically,” Shihab continues, “this series shows the IS group as they really are and as we really see them.

It reflects what we feel and it says what we want to say. People here want to watch this show, they feel that, by watching it, they are protesting the IS group's presence and its crimes.”