WASHINGTON
The U.S. confirmed Thursday that it dropped roughly 60,000 graphic anti-Daesh leaflets in Syria near the group’s stronghold of Raqqah.
The Pentagon said an F-15E fighter jet dropped the flyers in a canister March 16 southwest of Raqqah.
The drop was part of a campaign to deter potential recruits from joining the terror group as U.S. officials have voiced strong concerns about Daesh’s extensive propaganda arm, particularly its wide-reaching presence on social media.
A copy of the leaflet that was provided to The Anadolu Agency shows a line of seven young men, presumably potential Daesh candidates, below a sign that reads “Daesh Recruiting Office.”
A ghoulish-faced man urges a frightened recruit to move forward as another man turns a meat grinder labeled “Daesh.” Two legs are visible above the machine’s feeder tube as a second man pushes an individual through the machine that is spewing out bloodied remains into a barrel.
Above the “Daesh” grinder is a sign that reads, “Now serving 6001.”
A piece of paper with the number is being dropped by the horrified recruit as he looks on at the gruesome sight.
There have been reports of discontent amongst those in Daesh’s self-capital in the northeastern town of Raqqah.
The U.S. has led a coalition of about 60 countries against the militants in Iraq and Syria since last summer. Measures include airstrikes, and a train and equip mission for local forces.
