Conflicted returns with another episode in our series on the Syrian Civil War, welcoming a new guest onto the show to tell us about her experiences of living life under ISIS in the city of Raqqa – Rania Ali.

Rania tells us about her experiences growing up in Raqqa, and the city's rich history - a place of conflict throughout the centuries. As the Arab Spring protests began, Rania became involved, and she details the secretive nature of organizing protests under a repressive regime. She tells us about the development of the conflict in Syria, the impact of the Free Syrian Army's liberation of the city in 2013, telling us about her family's exodus from Raqqa, and the devastation upon their return.

But a key memory for Rania in the conflict was the rise of ISIS. She tells us about the resilience and courage of her community, particularly the women who organized protests and resisted the extremist regime, despite the grave risks involved. We hear about her harrowing experiences living during the ISIS caliphate, the threats she faced, and her eventual escape from the city, alongside the thrilling and tragic stories of her friends.

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