Residents of Iraq’s second-largest city, Mosul, have been told to remove their satellite dishes by so-called Islamic State which largely controls the city.

The extremist group announced a ban on satellite television, using a satellite-delivered video! The video shows the militants rounding up scores of satellite dishes and receivers and crushing them with steamrollers and sledgehammers. Bearded militant fighters are then shown saying that they want to protect Muslims from being “brainwashed” by sinful images.

The move, as well as being criticised by more reasonable Iraqis, is also said to be a sign of Islamic States’ increasing problems in holding onto territory, and a fear that if citizens see the TV reports of their losses they could be inspired to rebel.

The Islamic holy month of Ramadan is due to start June 7. However, while the month is officially given over to fasting and prayer it is also the biggest TV month of the Islamic year with every TV station putting on its very best programming, not least the nightly Ramadan dramas, which can wholly captivate the whole Arab world.

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