Raqqa , one of Syria 's most liberal cities , has been seized by al Qaeda-backed militants . The city is now under the control of a group called Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham ( ISIS ) which wants to establish an Islamic state across northern Syria. Women 's rights have been curtailed and many activists and locals have fled the town . Activist : `` It 's like Afghanistan . Now people call Raqqa Tora Bora . ''
Raqqa , one of Syria 's most liberal cities , has been seized by al Qaeda-backed militants . Fear has gripped the town as militants have imposed hardline Islamic laws in recent months . Women 's rights have been curtailed and many activists and locals have fled the town . Activist : `` It 's like Afghanistan . Now people call Raqqa Tora Bora . ''