However, it turns out that regardless of the nature of Saddam’s initial testimony, subsequent rumors that he became ISIS’ local amir in the Abu Kamal area were correct. Events from January to March 2014When the infighting first broke out, opinions in the Abu Kamal area were somewhat divided. This account came from an eyewitness with the Shari’a Committee in Abu Kamal. This led to an emotional funeral eulogy from the Shari’a judge in Abu Kamal known by the name of Abu al-Layth (real name: Muhammad Majul al-Rawi, who, despite his surname suggesting ultimately Iraqi origins, was a native of Abu Kamal). Prayers in the Great Mosque in Abu Kamal for those killed in the fighting with ISIS.