The Disturbing Advance of the Islamic State in Northern Iraq

With the exception of a few birds defying the sweltering midday heat, all is quiet on the front, with Kurdish fighters cowering in the shade of the cliffs. Suddenly, sentence fragments from Friday prayers can be heard on the banks of the Euphrates River. “Gather together … smash the traitors of the faith!” The words from the preacher, distorted by the amplifiers so loved by the jihadists, sound almost spooky.

via The Disturbing Advance of the Islamic State in Northern Iraq – SPIEGEL ONLINE.