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ISIS imposes new taxes, fine of $100 for shaving beard, $25 fine for women wearing tight cloaks

The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is continuing to increase taxes and fines throughout its territory.

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The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is continuing to increase taxes and fines throughout its territory.
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With its territories reduced, cash-strapped ISIS has imposed new taxes and fines like a $100 penalty for shaving a beard and women being charged $25 for wearing cloaks deemed too tight, according to a research.

In response to their worsening financial situation, the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is continuing to increase taxes and fines throughout its territory and in some cases introducing new ones, according to new analysis released by IHS Inc based on its monitoring of local news reports.

"In the past six months, the Islamic State has introduced a range of new taxes and fines as a means of generating additional revenue from the population to compensate for the loss of oil revenue and from its shrinking territory. Since September, we have seen taxes rise across the caliphate," Ludovico Carlino, senior analyst at IHS, said.

Among the fines now imposed are $100 for shaving a beard and $50 for trimming a beard. Men are fined $5 for not properly wearing the traditional izar (a long garment), while women are charged $25 for wearing cloaks deemed too tight and $10, or 1 gramme of 24 carat gold, for revealing their eyes.

A woman not wearing socks or gloves can be fined $30, the research said. If found in possession of a packet of cigarettes can lead to a $46 fine for a man and a $23 fine for a woman, it said.

Trucks crossing check points now have to pay between $600 and $700 while last summer the fee was $300.

The ISIS also requires non-Sunni Muslims, former members of the security forces or former civil servants working for the Iraqi or Syrian government living in its territory to buy from it a 'repentance' certificate.

Repentance used to be paid on an annual basis, now it is charged monthly. This is on top of the required payment of the jizyah, a tax historically levied on non-Muslims permanently residing in Muslim lands under Islamic law.

"Taxation makes up about 50% of the Islamic State's monthly revenue sources and encompasses almost every aspect of the population's life," Carlino said.

"Taxes are imposed by a central government body and flexibility is allowed for regional governors. But, revenue from taxation has decreased by 23% due to the group's failure to hold onto territory," he said.

Between December 2015 and March 2016, the Islamic State lost about 22% of its territory, according to IHS.

Another very interesting trend, the IHS said was that ISIS is now also accepting money in exchange for corporal punishment. 

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