“We didn’t have a radio at home,” said Riyaz, a young man from the Haji Ali area on the eastern bank of the Tigris River. Riyaz, who did not want to reveal his last name for fear of safety for his relatives still living under IS control, moved in late June to Dibaga camp for displaced people from Ninevah, north of Makhmour.
Some, however, said they had listened to the radio station and they found its broadcasts useful.
“The first time I listened to it was three months ago, but we had to tune in secretly,” said a young person from a village near the town of Qayarra on the Tigris’ western bank. “The army warned people about their operations in the area through the radio and I remember they told people in the area where the fighting took place and how to get away from their villages,” he said on condition of anonymity.
Bashar and his staff know well that given the history of the army’s troubled relationship with the population in Ninevah prior to IS domination in the area, their communication efforts are important in shaping attitudes toward them as they clear the area from IS village by village.
But ironically the challenge is made easier because of IS’ rigidness and brutality.
“We are fed up with IS,” Riyaz said. “People just want them kicked out of the area.”
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