00:03:03:08 Are we going to see the car coming to pick us up here?
00:03:03:12 Yes, I think so. 00:03:12.20
00:03:03:14 That white pick-up, we have to drive behind it, who is going to take us?
00:03:03:19 Yes, those are the boys of her militia.
00:03:03:39 We are on our way to Shirqat, a place in the north of Iraq.
00:03:03:43 The place where Wahida lives.
00:03:03:45 She is the only Iraqi woman who hunts for IS.... 00:03:51.01.
00:03:03:48 and she does so in a ruthless way.
00.47
Look, these are the IS dogs. We will never bury their bodies.
We treat them as they have treated us. Eye for an eye tooth for a tooth.
00:04:04:08 Yes, this is Mrs Wahida's photo, this is her?
00:04:15 Head officer special unit.
00:04:04:18 She is the boss here so to speak. Yes Yes.
01.19 We’re about 80 km south of Mosul, accompanied by our interpreter Ali, an Iraqi who has also lived in the Netherlands for a number of years.
00:04:04:30 This is it? Yes, I have been here ever before.
00:04:04:33 Well, not this, no, no, no.
1.34
TRANSLATION:
Do like an Arab. First drink something and then work.
1.43
TRANSLATION:
Day cameraman.
01.47 We are warmly received by Wahida Mohamed.
At first glance, it’s hard to imagine that this 40-year-old woman has such a violent reputation,
and is in charge of an 80-man militia. That is until she tells us in whose house she is currently living.
2.05
TRANSLATION:
Whose is this house? From an IS there. He killed my brothers. I did not harm his family, but I kindly asked them to leave the house. I also left his father and mother alive because they were old people. I have asked them to leave the area and never come back again.
So she actually lives in the house of the murderer of her brothers. Yes. Does not that hurt? That's the way it is. That's just the way it is.
00:05:05:49 Could she perhaps indicate where IS was in the city, were there were IS families?
2.53
TRANSLATION: This area was full of IS families. All IS leaders lived in the houses there.
3.06
TRANSLATION: In the house next door was also a famous leader of IS who was killed. He is dead and now buried deep underground
Three quarters of Shirqat was on IS.
00:06:06:24 And what did she do to those people?
I have driven all the families of the leaders out of town.
03.39 We move on to the headquarters of Wahida's militia. We’re met by 80 militiamen, all heavily armed.
These are the men who have purged this area of IS combatants in recent months.
Wahida took over command of the militia from her husband, who was killed fighting IS.
Holding such a rank as a woman is a first in the Arab world.
4.05
TRANSLATION: Hurry up, pick up your weapon.
04.14 Militias such as these keep the peace in Iraq.
The Iraqi army is severely depleted and without the support of these localised groups, IS would still have the upper hand.
The men follow Wahida without question, and remain constantly vigilant against IS forces still embedded in the area.
4.41
TRANSLATION:
This is my house. IS has blown it up. It was the first thing they did when they invaded the city.
05.05 In recent years, Wahida has survived attempts on her life time and again .
as a female commander, she is a symbolic target for the likes of IS and Al-Qaida.
But whilst she defiantly continues to lead her men, her family has paid a high price.
5.18
TRANSLATION:
This is all that is left of it. They have completely destroyed it.
5.24
TRANSLATION:
In 2013 they attacked our house with a truck. Then they killed my father and brother Ahmed.
When they occupied the city they killed my second husband with a booby trap. Then they killed another son of my brother. In total I lost ten family members to IS.
00:08:08:53 Does she know within IS who did that?
00:08:08:57 What would she do to them if she caught them?
00:09:09:03 She says: I always do what I do.
5.56
TRANSLATION
What I always do with them. Can you say exactly what you did to them? No, I'm not going to say that in front of the camera.
00:09:09:06 And can she tell to the people who do not know... 00:09:24.17
00:09:09:10 What does she always do?
00:09:23 I don't want to say it.
06.21 Wahida doesn't want to discuss on camera about what she does with her captives.
However uploads to YouTube and her Facebook page are far more revealing.
00:09:42 She says: An enemy so bloody....
00:09:46 who killed my family and who blew up my house.....
00:09:51 What do you think if they get to grab me?
00:09:09:54 What would they do to me?
00:09:56 If you answer me, I will answer your question. 00:09:58.05
00:10:00 I think she would be murdered in a terrible way.
7.02
TRANSLATION
I think they would be murdered in a terrible way. I do to them what they do to me. Eye for an eye tooth for a tooth. The one who starts pays the highest price.
07.10 Many of the town’s inhabitants are IS sympathisers.
But nevertheless the family elders come out and pay homage to Wahida.
7.22
TRANSLATION:
You are one of our daughters. We honor you. We count on you.
07.36 Now that the IS presence in Iraq has been all but vanquished, law and order is in the hands of militias like Wahida’s.
But what that means in practical terms will only become clear to us in the coming days.
08.05 The next morning, Wahida distributes cigarettes to her men.
She’s eager to hit the road and head to a village still struggling against IS militants.
We’re given permission to ride along.
00:11:32 We are now driving behind Wahida. 00:11:43.09
00:11:11:34 And despite the fact that it is in fact liberated from IS since a few weeks.....
00:11:39, this militia still has to go out three or four times a week....
00:11:43 because there are dormant cells....
00:11:46 small groups of IS fighters who still perform small actions.
08.51 The closer we get to the fighting, the greater the number of checkpoints manned by Iraqi soldiers.
Once in the village the column is not allowed to continue driving.
9.11
TRANSLATION:
I hear that there is fighting and that there are deaths and injuries? Right. How far are the fights from here? About 15 kilometers. Just outside of Ryad? Yes. Is it an open area? Yes. There is now huge fighting. Thanks.
00:13:11 I don't know exactly where we are going now.
00:13:14 Oh look, these are stolen weapons.
00:13:17 You see?
00:13:23 Mortar grenades. 00:13:23.23
TRANSLATION:
No, this was all from the Iraqi army that was stolen by IS.
10.43 Whaida does more than just inspect the weapons – she looks for some which could be of use to her and her men.
00:14:14:24 But that is typical IS, made by yourself?
TRANSLATION:
What is this? We can use that to blow things up.
TRANSLATION:
These mortars were made on the spot. They call this helmier. They attack that. (...) They open them up and they make bombs out of them.
11.38 Whaida is a hero to all Iraqi soldiers fighting IS
As a woman she embodies the opposition to IS’s violent fundamentalism.
Then, the Iraqi regulars arrive with their commander, fresh from an engagement with IS forces.
Nine extremists and a number of Iraqi soldiers were killed.
TRANSLATION: NAME NOT !!
We are from Dutch TV.
12.18 The general makes plenty of time for Wahida.
Her militia is an invaluable ally in the ongoing fight against IS.
TRANSLATION: Bring us tea!
12.30 The general is very tired and wants to relax.
He tunes in to Feyenoord v Ajax, the football match currently being played in the Netherlands.
12.51 Suddenly, we here some commotion coming from outside.
Iraqi regulars and militiamen look on restlessly.
00:16:05 There is now confusion. It is a little unclear what is going to happen now.
00:16:10 We are not yet leaving because the army has a number of IS prisoners.... 00:16:13.14
00:16:14 from the front.
00:16:16:16 And they now want to hand it over to that militia.
00:16:16:19 But yes, of course that is not allowed at all, so we absolutely cannot film that.
00:16:23 Transfer of the official army from prisoners to a militia.
00:16:16:28 So we're still waiting a while. 00:16:32.19
00:16:35 They are in that car, right? Yes.
00:16:44 Yes, so in the back is an Iraqi military man....
00:16:47 and two men bent forward, cuffed.
00:16:54 And they are now taken away.
00:17:01 01 Turn the camera off. 00:17:01.20
00:17:06 The two enemy combatants stay put in the car. But yet another surprise awaits us.
TRANSLATION:
We have a wife.
14.11 In addition to the two IS men taken prisoner, a woman, believed to be working with IS, has also been captured.
TRANSLATION: Get the pick up truck!
TRANSLATION My hands are doing very well. I' un tight your hands.
14.43
TRANSLATION: Load her into the pickup.
TRANSLATION: I swear, she is from IS. I'm sure. She is from IS.
00:18:39 We now drive back to the base in Shirqat.
00:18:18:43 And in the cars in front of us are two imprisoned IS men... 00:19:02.24.
00:18:47 and one young IS woman brought along.
00:18:52 And we have no idea what will happen to those three people now.
TRANSLATION: All lights off. Get rid of that camera. That camera must be in the car.
00:19:19:08 What happens?
16.07
TRANSLATION:
Without a camera. Put that camera in the car.
16.11 The vehicles are halted in the middle of the desert.
TRANSLATION: They are killed.
16.16 Ali tells us that Wahida has stopped the convoy to execute the two IS captives.
16.23
TRANSLATION
She wanted to do it here. That we would see it, but without a camera. Ok, we can continue.
00:19:32.08
16.32 It turns out to be a mock execution intended to frighten the two prisoners.
16.50 Wahida orders the woman accused collaborating with IS into the headquarters.
The two men are locked in a container outside.
Wahida let’s Ali in on what’s going to happen nest.
TRANSLATION: You can not film the execution
00:20:20:10 Now she is telling you that they are going to kill those men?
00:20:14 Yes, but not now. Okay. And when will that happen?
00:20:19 I do not know, but it does happen.
00:20:22 She has just told you that; yes.
00:20:24 And over there in the dark behind them they are now being taken away.
00:20:20:28 But can we not do something about it?
00:20:33 Can’t we tell them that this is not possible or should not be done or....
00:20:36 Look, we are in a sensitive position.
00:20:39 We are with them, I am Iraqi.
00:20:41 I have been told not to share this with you. 00:20:47.04
00:20:45 For she has not told that officially to you.
00:20:48 What are they going to do?
00:20:50 Without camera. They are not going to do anything, nothing.
00:20:54 Yes, but.... Nothing happens.
00:20:56 I don't want to be there if she beat them or whatever. no, no. I don't want to be
there. 00:21:06.19
TRANSLATION:
Are you the one who killed five? Answer! Again and again: are you the one who killed five? He killed five of them. Where did those five come from? Listen to me. Eat. I made you a promise.
I killed one. Others have killed the rest.
True?
At the barracks.
18.38 Wahida decides not to execute her prisoners immediately, in exchange for information on the whereabouts of other IS units.
TRANSLATION:
I gave them my word. If their story is correct and we have caught those IS, then I will transfer them to the government. So that they get a fair trial. They are going to take me to IS.
00:22:10 Will she guarantee me that too?
00:22:15 You promise that?
TRANSLATION:
Do you guarantee that to me? Promised? I keep my word. I am not obliged to promise you anything. If I say something, I will. I'm not afraid, not even for the camera.
TRANSLATION:
I bring you to those IS ers. Nobody knows their hiding place.
Have you not told the commander of the army before?
Yes, I said that before, but they did not believe me. Say what you want. I have surrendered to you.
TRANSLATION:
I long for those IS ers. If I want to, I will kill them for the camera. I'm not afraid. I slaughtered them and held their heads up. But if they really bring me to IS, then I transfer them to the government
TRANSLATION:
I swear to you, I'll destroy them.
21.19 After interviewing the IS fighters, it’s the woman's turn. 00:23:36.07
Wahida is interrogator, judge and executioner all in one.
I hope that our camera, as a witness, will provide some protection for the prisoners.
TRANSLATION: What is the matter with her leg? I've been hit. By who? By the local militia. Did you eat? No I'm not hungry.
TRANSLATION: Why do they suspect that you belong to the religious police of IS? Why? Talk. Nobody speaks Arabic here.
21.17
TRANSLATION: I am innocent. Innocent. They have listened to me. Because they accuse me of this they destroy me.
21.29 It’s getting late, and Wahida is tired.
We’re surprised at the comparatively mild interrogation.
00:24:42 What does she think will happen to that girl? 00:25:16.21
You have a lot of experience with these situations. What is going to happen to this woman, you think? If she really was with IS and we can prove it then she will be punished. But I do not expect her to kill anyone or use violence, so she will be released
22.22 The next morning, we realise the extent to which these communities are driven by revenge.
00:25:35 Last night we woke up with two huge explosions.
00:25:38 They came from the blowing up of these two houses.
00:25:42 This was probably done by local residents.....
00:25:46 out of revenge for the fact that two IS families lived here. 00:25:47.23
22.48 The families of the IS militants where driven out of here not long ago.
The houses destroyed last night where being occupied by a different family.
TRANSLATION:
There is my stove, my clothes. Everything is in here.
This house was assigned to us.
It was an IS house.
00:26:06 Clothing of my children and me is under the rubble.
00:26:24 We drive back to Wahida in her headquarters.....
00:26:28 to see how things are going with those three prisoners. 00:26:32.21
00:26:31 I am concerned about that.
00:26:35 The door is open.
00:26:37 The door where they sat tonight is still open.
23.37 Wahida has yet to arrive.
The two IS prisoners are still in the container, and are, for now, still breathing. 00:26:44.10
TRANSLATION: Do you have pain? Yes, from my back.
23.55 Wahida is next to arrive.
Before we left, I took the opportunity to question her methods.
00:27:08 Now we know her mainly from violent films and photos.
00:27:15 As this one. In which she with ehm.... heads of IS fighters.... 00:27:20.17
00:27:20 and in which she kills IS fighters.
00:27:23 Can she understand that we in the West find this shocking?
TRANSLATION
IS came here to kill, slaughter and rape. You've seen all the movies. Here girls of five are kidnapped. When that happens to children in the west, hell breaks loose. If a dog or a cat falls into a pit, the world is on fire. Then comes the fire department to save the animal. But how can this be compared to a person who is being decapitated here. We are trying to stop the terror. All those guests from China, Japan, Jordan, Algeria and Saudi Arabia are seen as adolescents, victims. While we are seen as war criminals.
TRANSLATION: Make sure the weapons are properly secured. And mark the ammunition so that we do not forget it.
00:28:35 Wahida doesn't care much for my questioning.
00:28:38 Together with her men she leaves for a next mission.
00:28:42 With revenge as the main motive. 00:28:45.04
TRANSLATION: How is your hand? Let me see.
00:29:06 The two IS suspects remain in the container.
00:29:10 Later we make a phone call to hear how they are doing.
00:29:14 The young woman who had been arrested was finally released.
00:29:18 But what we feared indeed taken place happened.
00:29:20 The two men were killed one day after our departure by the Wahida militia.