AL BAB, Syria — In an army barracks seized by rebels in northern Syria, Abu Islam heads a new unit that looks into complaints against insurgents for abuses such as intimidation, extortion and vandalism.
“We need an organised system that works better than before, to eliminate bad behaviour by [rebel] Free Syrian Army fighters and civilians,” Abu Islam told an AFP correspondent in Al Bab.
Civilians in the rebel-held town are encouraged to seek protection from some 80 volunteers of the Committee for the Promotion of Virtue and the Vice Prevention.
The mission of the internal affairs unit is to put a stop to crimes committed by FSA fighters, most of which have involved theft and vandalism.
Al Bab is located about 30 kilometres northeast of Syria’s main battleground Aleppo.
It has been controlled by rebels since mid-July, though their internal affairs unit was only established in November, with Abu Islam saying it is one of the first of its kind in Syria.
“It was set up following consultations with all the brigades in Al-Bab,” he added, a Kalashnikov assault rifle in hand and face covered.
Though no salaries are provided, those who enlist receive masks, camouflage clothing and Kalashnikovs.
While on mission, volunteers always wear masks, concealing their identities, for fear of retaliation by angry rebels, said Abu Islam.
:http://jordantimes.com/revolutionary-police-squad-to-limit-syrian-rebel-abuses