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US Teacher Joined ISIS To See 'Exactly What The Group Was About'

US Teacher Joined ISIS To See 'Exactly What The Group Was About'

Warren Christopher Clark is adamant that he never fought for ISIS but did work for them as an English teacher

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

A US teacher claims to have joined terrorist group Islamic State out of 'curiosity' and says that executions and crucifixions didn't particularly 'bother' him.

Warren Christopher Clark, 34, spent more than three years teaching English for ISIS witnessed the group's brutality.

But in an exclusive interview he explained to NBC News: "I'm from United States, from Texas, they like to execute people, too."

He was captured earlier this month in Syria by US-backed Kurdish forces but admits that he doesn't regret the time he spent working alongside the terror group.

Speaking of why he went to work there, he said: "I wanted to go see exactly what the group was about, and what they were doing.

"I wanted to learn more about the ideology. I'm a political science major, global business minor. I like politics. I like travel, world events. That's what I wanted to do."

Warren Christopher Clark is being held in Kurdish custody.
SDF

The former substitute teacher from Sugar Land, Texas, is adamant that he never fought alongside ISIS but says that led to him being detained almost a dozen times.

According to Clark, each time he was held ISIS let him go and he suffered no abuse at their hands.

Last year NBC reported that Clark's CV had been found inside an Iraqi house. Using the alias Abu Muhammad al-Ameriki, the cover letter read: "I was born and raised in the United States and have always loved teaching others and learning from others as well.

Clark's CV was found in a house in Iraq.
NBC

"My work background is largely in English and I consider working at the University of Mosul to be a great way of continuing my career."

He gave them all his information including his email address, education credentials and work experience which led to researchers being able to determine that he was in fact Warren Christopher Clark who graduated from the University of Houston.

The résumé shows that after he worked as a substitute teacher in Texas, he taught English in Saudi Arabia for two years and then went to Turkey

A day after the Iraqi government declared the Islamic State (ISIS) was defeated in Mosul, heavy fighting persisted while newly liberated residents still fled the Old City neighbourhood in droves.
PA

Speaking of his experiences, Clark explained that although never involved in the fighting, there were reminders all the time.

"It was a place that was constantly being bombed," he said. "You were always on edge. Day and night, just bombs and airstrikes.

"You sleep in the middle of the day. I spent most of my time living in a mosque. I just remember every day hoping not to get bombed."

Featured Image Credit: PA/SDF

Topics: Islamic State, terrorism, News, terror, ISIS