Villagers of Hemra, which was liberated recently by Wrath of Euphrates fighters in western Raqqa, spoke to ANF and expressed their joy at the liberation of their village. Residents of Hemra emphasized that they survived ISIS cruelty with the hope that SDF would liberate them.

Villagers reported that ISIS gangs did not resist the operation of SDF forces and fled their positions, which they had been holding since 2014. Villagers noted that the gangs imposed their so-called Islamic rule, oppressed and tortured civilians, and implemented particularly oppressive policies towards women. Hemra residents stated that young girls between the ages of 9 and 16 were forced to marry gang members and even taken to Raqqa. The villagers stated that their schools were closed down and children were forced to take so called sharia and jihad classes in order to be recruited in the future.

Hemra villages expressed their need for life supplies because ISIS gangs pillaged everything they owned, and thanked Wrath of Euphrates fighters for their aid including food, water, and blankets.