Thousands of young men have joined ISIL, the terrorist group spreading throughout parts of the middle east. They’re hoping to find something promising, however the reality is extremely different, which causes more and more members to defect.

CCTV’s Michal Bardavid brings us a story which will provide valuable insight in to why people initially want to join and, shortly after, are desperate to flee ISIL.

Shvan Latif Nasrulla, a 23-year-old ISIL defector who spent 3 months with ISIL, contacted Peshmerga forces and was allowed safe passage to defect. He explained that once he became a member of ISIL, driven by the obligatory jihad, he began to realize the how brutal and inhumane the group really was.

Harsh realities:

• Islamic State seems un-Islamic in itself.
• Living conditions are tough: the promised luxury was discovered to be a myth.
• No room for noncompliance: any dispute is physically punishable.

There were many who want to leave, but were terrified of the consequences. “If they flee and get caught, they would be considered as spies and be killed,” said Shvan. “My message for the young people who are willing to join ISIS, to not make this mistake, do not go. There’s no Islam and love to Islam there.”