Just as the Islamic State has its 'Diwan al-Khidamat' (Services Department) dedicated to the realm of public services, so too does Syria's al-Qa'ida affiliate Jabhat al-Nusra have its 'Public Administration for Services.'
The archive below of this department's documents will be continually updated, similar to the archives of Islamic State administrative documents, Jabhat al-Nusra judicial documents and Jabhat al-Nusra billboards and murals.
[Update for 2017: Jabhat al-Nusra has since evolved into Jabhat Fatah al-Sham in summer 2016 and as of January 2017 Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham, which remains a jihadist entity but is no longer affiliated with al-Qa'ida. The 'Public Administration for Services' has now become 'The Civil Administration for Services.' Documents from this new body are archived here for convenience].
Specimen A: Amnesty for Water Use Violations, Khan Sheikhoun
Jabhat al-Nusra li-Ahl al-Sham
Public Administration for Services: Hama
Water Division
In the name of God,
After looking at the circumstances of the citizens in the town of Khan Sheikhoun regarding the joy of the people at the return of water after cutting off for a long period, an amnesty has been issued for the following violations:
21. Water wastage (excess in use of water)
22. Washing cars
23. Washing streets
24. Not readying the domestic network
This amnesty is considered binding for aforementioned violations until the date of its issuance, and any violation after that will require financial fines according to the list of violations accompanying this amnesty.
And God is the One behind the intention and He guides the path.
Specimen B: On Water and Provision of Bread, Khan Sheikhoun (June 2015)
There is no deity but God and Muhammad is the Messenger of God
Al-Qa'ida in Bilad al-Sham
Jabhat al-Nusra
Jabhat al-Nusra li-Ahl al-Sham
Public Administration for Services
Hama Division
In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Praise be to God and prayers and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad (SAWS).
Muslim brothers in the town of Khan Sheikhoun:
Jabhat al-Nusra- the Public Administration for Services: Hama Area- announces the securing of water for all the Muslims in the town and fixes a maximum price of 50 Syrian pounds for one barrel coming to the home, and any person attempting to sell or buy at a price of more than 50 Syrian pounds will expose himself to inquiry.
Similarly we also warn the Muslim brothers not to listen to the rumours on the subject of bread and we inform and remind them that the bakeries affiliated with the Public Administration for Services will remain continually operating throughout the month of Ramadan by God Almighty's permission whatever comes of the expenses and prices.
And God is the One behind the intention and He guides the path.
Public Administration for Services
General Official
Jabhat al-Nusra: Hama Area
Khan Sheikhoun
Dar al-Khidamat
Hama
General Admin Official
Specimen C: Death of Electricity Division Director, Aleppo city (July 2015)
Jabhat al-Nusra li-Ahl al-Sham
Public Administration for Services
Electricity Directorate
Statement 381
In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
God Almighty says: "And do not reckon those who have been killed in the path of God as dead, but rather living with their Lord, nurtured, and rejoicing in what God has bestowed upon them from His favour, and they learn of those who have not yet joined them: indeed there is no fear upon them and they are not sad." [Qur'an 3:169-70]
A new misfortune strikes the Public Administration for Services and all those workng in it with the news of the martyrdom of the engineer brother Muhammad al-Omar- 'Abu al-Majid al-Halabi': the director of the electricity division as a result of his wounds with which he was struck as a result of the falling of a barrel bomb on al-Saliheen quarter in the city of Aleppo days ago.
We ask God to accept him and to bestow endurance and condolence on his family, for he was among the best workers in the administration and we will not forget his words that he frequently repeated: "By God we did not come out except to serve the Muslim populace in the path of God."
Specimen D: Recruitment Call (June 2015)
Jabhat al-Nusra li-Ahl al-Sham
Public Administration for Services
Human Resources Department
In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Work Opportunity
The Public Administration for Services announces its need to appoint employees:
- Engineers, college and secondary graduates as well as technicians, possessing expertise in the following fields:
. Electricity, water, mechanics, environment, accounting, media in addition to those who can drive all types of cars.
Conditions of acceptance:
. His work should be sincere in devotion to God
. Should be able to handle the pressure of work.
. Should not smoke
So those who wish to work are asked to go to the Workers Affairs division and record their ID statements.
And God is the One behind the intention.
Specimen E: Thanks to the Civil Defence (May 2015)
Jabhat al-Nusra li-Ahl al-Sham
Public Administration for Services
Electricity Directorate
Thank You Card
The electricity directorate in the Public Administration for Services thanks the Civil Defence Directorate and that is for their great efforts in the path of serving the populace, when today a great fire broke out in the al-Sakhur power plant [east Aleppo area] and the Civil Defence division hurried to extinguish the fire and praise be to God: were it not for the rapid intervention of the Civil Defence heroes, the result from it would have been great material damage.
Published: 20 May 2015/2 Sha'aban 1436 AH
Specimen F: Prohibition on additional electricity lines
Jabhat al-Nusra li-Ahl al-Sham
Public Administration for Services
Electricity Directorate
Statement for distribution
It is absolutely forbidden to connect any additional electricity line (not found with the consumer) from another outlet besides the main outlet, and that applies to any person, and every line that is connected will be considered a violation, and it will be removed, and its owner held accountable, and he will be fined a sum of a minimum of 5000 Syrian pounds in recompense for what he has committed.
That beginning from 10/3/1436 AH: 1 January 2015
Electricity Director
Specimen G: Prohibition on installing new electricity infrastructure without recourse to Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham's electricity administration, Hama (September 2017)
Civil Administration for Services
General Foundation for Electricity
Hama Electricity Directorate
No. 35/s
Date: 21 Dhu al-Hijja 1438 AH
In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Statement for distribution
It is absolutely forbidden to establish any new electricity projects and plant towers of 20 K.V.A. or install electrical transformers without recourse to the electricity directorate.
And if any violation is caught, the project and the violation of the implementer, contractor and owner of the project will be removed according to the system of violations issued by the general foundation for electricity.
And God is the one behind the intention
Hama electricity director
Engineer Mahmoud Abu Zaid
Specimen H: Notice to local councils
Civil administration for services
Central administration
Civil administration for services
Central administration: General Diwan
No. [...]
Date: 28 Dhu al-Q'ida 1438 AH/20 August 2017 CE
Statement for distribution
To all local councils
With our striving to unite efforts and bring them together aiming for a united civil administration of central institutions, you are asked to hand over all offices affiliated with the councils to the specialized institutions according to principles.
Thanking you for your cooperation.
And God is the one behind the intention.
Director of the civil administration for services
Engineer Muhammad Taha al-Ahmad
cc.
- Admin affairs
- Diwan
- Distribute to local councils
- Police apparatus and judiciary.
Specimen I: Prohibition on establishing educational institutions without agreement from civil administration
Civil administration for services
Central administration
Civil administration for services
Central administration: General Diwan
No. [...]
Date: 28 Dhu al-Q'ida 1438 AH/20 August 2017 CE
To whom it may concern
With our striving to unite efforts in the realm of education in all its types, it is absolutely forbidden to establish any educational institution or project except after obtaining agreement and statement of consent from the civil administration for services embodied in its educational office located in the central administration in Idlib city.
Note:
Regarding Shari'i education, statements of consent in principle are taken from the Shari'i education office in the sectors, and from there is verification by the education office in the civil administration for services.
And God is the one behind the intention.
Director of the civil administration for services
Engineer Muhammad Taha al-Ahmad
cc.
- Admin affairs
- Diwan
- Police apparatus and judiciary.
Specimen J: Regulations on wheat
Civil administration for services
Central administration
Notification
In view of the circumstances of crisis and what the region is going through from lack of oversight, excess in use of right and as per the demands of the public interest, we as a public party have been entrusted to offer services in all their types to the Muslim populace, and we have concern for their safety, security and securing flour for them:
Therefore the following has been decided:
1. It is absolutely forbidden to export wheat to areas controlled by the regime under penalty of inquiry.
2. It is forbidden for merchants to play with wheat prices under penalty of inquiry.
3. This notification is to be conveyed to whoso is obliged to implement it.
4. This notification is to be published in all rooms and on all social media pages.
And God is the one behind the intention.
Published on 28 Shawwal 1438 AH
Director of the civil administration for services
Engineer Muhammad Taha al-Ahmad
Specimen K: Prohibition on infringing on forests and woods
Civil administration for services
Central administration
Notification
Trees have a great importance as they provide the air with necessary oxygen for breathing and life and likewise they moderate the air through reducing the temperature and they give those who behold them splendour and delight. Therefore, it is asked:
- Prohibition on infringing on forests and woods for whatever reason.
- Compliance with the notification beginning from its date under penalty of inquiry.
- Publishing this notification through available means of publishing.
And God is the one behind the intention.
Published on 5 Dhu al-Q'ida 1438 AH
Director of the civil administration for services
Engineer Muhammad al-Ahmad
cc.
General administration for the commission
Imams of mosques: to spread through pulpits.
All security and implementation groups entrusted to implement the notification in the liberated areas under penalty of inquiry in the event of shortcoming.
Diwan
Administration
Specimen L: Setting up an independent higher education council
Civil administration for services
Central administration
Notification
The civil administration for services desires that higher education should be independent from all political and military bodies and that the ideal circumstances should be secured for the course of higher education.
The following academics are to be appointed:
1. Dr. Muhammad al-Sheikh as head.
2. Dr. Ahmad Firas Aloush as member.
3. Dr. Jum'a al-Omar as member.
As a preparatory committee whose task is to connect with the universities operating in the liberated north of Syria to form an independent higher education council.
3 Dhu al-Q'ida 1437 AH corresponding to 26 July 2017 CE.
Director of the civil administration for services
Engineer Muhammad Taha al-Ahmad
Specimen M: Warning to shops in Bab al-Hawa area
Civil administration for services
Administration of the borders
Warning
To all merchant shops present in the Bab al-Hawa area, you are asked to remove infringements, material and cars present in the area and stick to your shop only. This warning is to be considered tantamount to a personal notification to every shop in violation and car in violation. A deadline of three days is to be given from date of notification and distribution of the publication- 4 Dhu al-Q'ida 1438 AH corresponding to 27 July 2017 CE- in order to remove the violation and after the end of it, there will be a reliance on removing it by force. And the one who has warned has been excused.
And God is the one behind the intention.
Published on 3 Dhu al-Q'ida 1438 AH corresponding to 26 July 2017 CE.
Tracking and oversight official
Specimen N: Prohibition on connections, Internet and mobile contracts without consent of administration
Civil administration for services
Central administration
Civil administration for services
Central administration: General Diwan
No. [...]
Date: 20 Dhu al-Q'ida 1438 AH/12 August 2017 CE
As we strive to improve wired and wireless connections and document and unify efforts, you are asked not to deal with or ratify contracts or agreements in the field of connections/Internet and mobile networks etc. except after going to the general foundation for connections in the civil administration for services, and likewise with regards to ongoing contracts, the situation of their old contracts is to be settled in the general institution for connections.
And God is the one behind the intention.
Published on 24 Dhu al-Q'ida 1438 AH corresponding to 16 August 2017 CE.
Director of the civil administration for services
Engineer Muhammad al-Ahmad
Specimen O: Notification on antiquities
Civil administration for services
Central administration
Decision no. 42
According to the requirements of the public interest and the rulings of the foundational interim regime for the work of the civil administration for services, and preserving the cutural heritage that reflects the civilization and culture of the land. The following is decided:
1. The establishment of the general directorate for antiquities and museums in the civil administration for services.
2. This decision is considered in effect beginning from its date.
3. This decision is to be conveyed to the one obliged to implement it.
And God is the one behind the intention.
Published on 13 Dhu al-Q'ida 1438 AH
Director of the civil administration for services
Engineer Muhammad al-Ahmad
cc.
The Diwan
Administration
Directorate of Antiquities and Museums
Specimen P: Written pledge to affiliate a local council with the services administration, Hama division
Civil administration for services
Hama division
In the name of God
Written pledge
I who sign this document, the head of the local council in the village of Nahleh, affirm and pledge that the local council in the village of Nahleh is to be affiliated with the civil administration for services, Hama division. And thus I pledge to comply with all the decisions and directives issued by the technical directorate of services in Hama affiliated with the technical foundation of services.
And God is the one behind the intention.
Published on 23 May 2017 CE
And thus I sign.
Author of the written pledge: head of the local council in the village of Nahleh.
Abd al-Hussein Habib Badawi [?]
Director of the Hama branch
Abu Khattab al-Shami
Free Local Councils
Council of the village of Nahleh
Notes
1. After the head of the local council signs this pledge, any work contravening this pledge will expose the council to Shari'i inquiry and a fine.
2. Regarding the relationship of the local council with the Free Idlib Provincial Council, it is a relationship of recruitment and relief and services support from outside and inside the area only, and nothing else besides that.
Specimen Q: Appointment of a head of a municipal council, Idlib province
In the name of God
Civil Administration for Services
Idlib Division
Decision no. 151
- According to the internal system organizing the work of the civil administration for services.
- According to the requirements of the public interest for the Muslims.
The following is decided:
. Appointing the brother Ala' Qadur al-Bakur as head of municipal council in the municipality of Hafasraja.
And God is the one behind the intention.
Published on 9 Dhu al-Q'ida 1438 AH.
Idlib Division director
Ustadh: Mohsen Rabi' al-Qush
Civil Administration for Services
Idlib Division: Diwan
No. [...]
Date: 16 Dhu al-Q'ida 1438 AH
cc.
1. Diwan
2. Local administration foundation
3. Tracking office
4. Local council
5. To whom it may concern
Abu al-Abd
Head of the general diwan and affairs of workers
Specimen R: Note of thanks to the Harem local council (north Idlib province)
Civil Administration for Services
Local Administration Foundation
Local Administration Foundation
General Diwan
No. [...]
Date: 11 Shawwal 1438 AH
In the name of God, the Compassionate, the Merciful
Card of thanks
To the Harem city council
The administration of the local administration foundation extends sincere thanks to those working in the Harem city council in view of their efforts expounded in their accomplishment of the entrusted tasks to the fullest extent, in addition to their aid to the other councils.
We ask God- Almighty and Exalted is He- to grant them success for all the best. And God is the one behind the intention.
Director of the local administration foundation
Engineer Samer Khalil al-Akl
Director of the technical directorate of services
Engineer Muhammad al-Ali
Specimen S: Note on tracking affairs of local councils
Civil administration for services
Central administration
Civil administration for services
Central administration: General Diwan
No. [...]
Date: 29 Dhu al-Q'ida 1438 AH/21 August 2017 CE
Statement for distribution
The general directorate for local administration is considered the sole party authorized to track the affairs of the local councils in liberated areas.
And God is the one behind the intention.
Published on 29 Dhu al-Q'ida 1438 AH corresponding to 21 August 2017 CE.
Director of the civil administration for services
Engineer Muhammad Taha al-Ahmad
Specimen T: Appointment of a mukhtar for village of Ketyan in Idlib by civil administration for services, August 2017
Civil Administration for Services
Local Administration
Idlib Province
Saraqeb Region
Taftanaz District
Mukhtar of Ketyan Village
Fahad Ramadan Weis
Specimen U: Note on distributing publications
Civil administration for services
Central administration
Civil administration for services
Central administration: General Diwan
No. [...]
Date: 21 Dhu al-Hijja 1438 AH/12 September 2017 CE
Statement for distribution
To all foundations, directorates, general committees and organizations
You are asked not to distribute any official publications except through the general foundation for publications. Any violation will require inquiry and accountability.
Director of the general foundation for publications: 0938481906
And God is the one behind the intention.
21 Dhu al-Hijja 1438 AH corresponding to 12 September 2017 CE
Director of the civil administration for services
The engineer Muhammad al-Ahmad
Specimen V: Announcement on availability of chemical fertilizers
Civil administration for services
General directorate for agriculture and irrigation
No. 17/s
Date: 25 Muharram 1439 AH/15 October 2017 CE
Announcement
The general directorate for agriculture and irrigation announces the availability of the necessary chemical fertilizers and with credit sale at the price of the cost in exchange for the cultivation of the durum wheat, with the obligation to sell the product at incentive prices.
General director for agriculture and irrigation
Dr. Faiz Ahmed al-Khalif
cc.
- Administration
- Diwan
- Civil administration for services- please distribute
- Directorates of agriculture: to distribute with due process to all agricultural branches and local councils
Specimen W: Establishing new directorate for sports and youth
Civil administration for services
Central administration
Civil administration for services
Central administration: General Diwan
No, [...]
Date: 27 Dhu al-Hijja 1438 AH/18 September 2017 CE
Decision no. 111
According to the requirements of the public interest, the following is decided:
1. Establishing the general directorate for sports and youth in the civil administration for services.
2. Cancelling decision no. 98 on date 6 Dhu al-Hijja 1438 AH stipulating the establishment of the sports office in the civil administration for services.
3. This decision is considered valid from this date.
4. This decision is to be distributed to all public parties.
And God is the one behind the intention.
Published on 27 Dhu al-Hijja 1438 AH corresponding to 17 September 2017 CE.
Director of the civil administration for services
Engineer Muhammad al-Ahmad
cc
- Admin affairs
- Financial affairs
- General directorate for sports and youth
Specimen X: Note on mortgage liens
Civil administration for services
Central administration
Announcement
In view of the existence of mortgage liens for the property deed of some of the real estate and vehicles that forbids the transfer of ownership, and because of the citizens' need to remove the mortgage liens and transfer ownership, a committee has been formed whose task it is to study these liens and rectify them.
Whosoever desires to remove these liens, go to the specified committee in the civil administration for services.
Published on 3 Safr 1439 AH corresponding to 23 October 2017 CE
Director of the civil administration for services
With authorization: Engineer Mu'ayyad al-Hassan
Specimen Y: Guarantee of press freedom in accordance with Islamic ethics
Civil administration for services
Central administration
Civil administration for services
Central administration: General Diwan
No. [...]
Date: 3 Safr 1439 AH/23 October 2017 CE
Statement for distribution
According to the requirements of the public interest
And in view of the pressures, attacks and arrests media personnel are being exposed to, and to guarantee a free and independent media environment, and to support press work and make it free in observing politics and procedures of society and verify them and criticize them:
The following is specified for distribution:
- The civil administration for services affirms the freedom of press work inside the liberated areas under regulations of Islamic ethics and disciplines of the vocation.
- The civil administration for services strives to offer necessary aid and facilitation for journalists to carry out their work to the fullest extent.
- The civil administration counsels people in the liberated areas to cooperate and coordinate with media activists to clarify the truth of what is happening with all credibility and objectivity.
Published on 3 Safr 1439 AH
Corresponding to 23 October 2017 CE.
Director of the civil administration for services
Engineer Muhammad al-Ahmad