In just a year, the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS) has set up an efficient government in eastern Syria. Since then, many stories have surfaced of the brutality of this jihadist group and its crimes, yet other reports have shown a different point of view.
Ahmad, from a village in Deir-ez-Zor, expressed admiration for what the "state" has done in the areas under its control, including forming legal bodies, committees and directorates in various fields.
According to Ahmad, the organization has formed the system of 'Assas' or 'night watchmen' to monitor and protect individuals in public places and markets, in addition to building police stations to solve disputes among civilians using legal documents which later are referred to courts.
A media activist from Deir-ez-Zor commented on IS practices, saying: "It is interesting how the crimes of robbery and murder are now non-existent anymore, and inter-clan conflicts have almost disappeared."
"All of that is the result of using assas and IS agents who are deployed among people in large numbers," he said.