Terrorist Group: the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria - Research Paper Example

Terrorist Group ISIS YourFirst YourLast ISIS is a terror group that formed in Iraq and extended its operations in Syria, after the escalation of Civil war in that country. The group has been so successful within a very short time, something that has continued to baffle world leaders and political analysts at large. Apart from the usual jihadist hardliner ideologies practiced and promoted by this terror group, it also offers protection and social amenities to areas under its management. Latwan Carpenter has found that ISIS was expunged from the bigger Al-Qaeda group for being too radicalized and for adopting an extreme method of enforcing its ideologies on people. This paper seeks to explain the origin of ISIS, now known as IS and its rise to prominence. Latwan Carpenter additionally explains the structure of the Islamic State and the sources of its financial strength. Introduction The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) also known as ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) or Islamic State is a political and terrorist organization that embraces a radical understanding of Islam. ISIS operates as a military insurgency group that seeks to enforce its ideologies on Muslims and non-Muslims alike in the whole world. ISIS was barred from cooperating with Al-Qaeda terrorist group for being too extreme, and for using extreme measures in enforcing their ideologies (Hashim, 2014). ISIS changed its name to the Islamic State after gaining immense control of large parts of Syria and Iraq. Islamic State claims to be the rightful rulers for the entire Sunni Muslims in the whole world. Through their military and political operations, they have established what they observe in a state that contains huge regions of territory in Iraq and Syria. Islamic State operations are headquartered at Raqqa in Syria. Having changed their name from ISIS to IS (Islamic State), the group supports numerous theological ideologies to maintain its claims. Its supporters contend that they are just committed to what Islam teaches in totality, denouncing the individuals who do not agree with their ways. Their beliefs and ideologies are used to justify the killings of those who oppose their ways, usually by their trademark of slaughtering through cutting of heads. Initially started by Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi, the Islamic State organization was formerly known as AQI (Al-Qaeda in Iraq). The group took part in the US invasion of Iraq against the US forces after the American government toppled the Saddam Hussein administration. In the year 2013, IS became part of the civil war in Syria, however, instead of concentrating on defeating the government of the then former President Bashar al-Assad, they concentrated on developing their Islamic State. In the middle of last year, 2014, IS affirmed the institution of an Islamic State led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as the official caliph (Kfir, 2015). Origins of the Islamic State The IS as is known today started as an organization known as Jamaat al-Tawhid a-Jihad (JTWJ). This group was started by Al-Zarqawi in the year 1999 (Holbrook, 2015). JTWJs mission initially was to try to instigate a governmental change in Jordan. The organizations leader had gained military experience before the groups formation when he fought as a Jihad in Afghanistan. Al-Zarqawi, the groups leader, had formed an acquaintance with Osama bin Laden when the two met in Afghanistan, during the US invasion of Iraq. Osama bin Laden and Al-Zarqawi had a peevish relationship because of the huge individual variation and upbringing. It is reported that Al-Zarqawi came from a humble beginning; his family was poor, unlike Osama who originated from an affluent family. Al-Zarqawi was abrasive, and rough, always wanting to be on the frontline. Osama bin Laden on the other hand preferred to operate behind the scenes and never felt the need to be seen many times (Benjamin, 2010). While fighting the American troops in Iraq after the 2003 invasion, Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi became well known for his successes against the American soldiers. Al-Zarqawi was particularly renowned for his viciousness and ferociousness in dealing with captives of war. His personal abhorrence for Shiite Muslims is well recorded and currently stands firm as an essential component of the ideologies of the Islamic State. In one of his speeches about Shiite Muslims, Al-Zarqawi referred to them as "a faction of perfidy and betrayal, the lurking snake, and the cunning and malevolent scorpion" (Cited in Turner, 2015). JTWJs operations grew both in scale and in magnitude. In August 2003, the organization carried out a deadly attack on the United Nations offices in Baghdad killing over 20 individuals and injuring several others. The attack claimed the life of a UN top official, who was thought to be the natural successor to Kofi Annan after the expiry of his term. JTWJ continued carrying insurgent attacks on American targets in Baghdad, directed towards the soldiers and Shiite communities that supported the war (Holbrook, 2015). In February 2004, the group carried out synchronized attacks in the city of Baghdad and Karbala, claiming 150 lives while injuring others in hundreds. Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi was renowned for executing individuals through beheadings. Several such events were televised live through the internet, in particular, the American beheadings of Jack Hensley and Eugene Armstrong. JTWJ officially joined Al-Qaeda in 2004, when Al-Zarqawi performed the fealty ritual on Bin-Laden. In Iraq, the group became known as AQI (Al-Qaeda in Iraq). During the Iraqi insurgency, Al-Qaeda in Iraq expanded its network, gaining more fighters and sympathizers along the way. Even though in principle AQI was answering to Al-Qaeda central, it remained independent, creating its brand of jihad (Bejesky, n.d). Major disparities between the two factions arose within the organization, some jihadists aligning themselves to Al-Zarqawi fighting in Iraq while others remained with Osama bin Laden fighting in Afghanistan. While in Iraq, Abu Musab Al-Zarqawi joined other minor Iraqi jihad groups under the AQI banner. Zarqawi devoted his time to creating an Islamic State in Iraq, through the guidance of the larger Al-Qaeda central group. He devoted his energies to constructing the required administrative and physical structures essential for enforcing Sharia laws as a state. Al-Zarqawi would not live to see the completion of his work as he was later assassinated by American troops through an airstrike in 2006 (Michael, 2007). After Al-Zarqawis demise, AQI was headed by Abu-Masri and later by Omar Baghdadi. American shelling killed both leaders in 2010. AQI through its leader announced its change of name to ISI (Islamic State in Iraq), an indication of its purpose to conquer Iraq territory as a way of forming a Sharia-based state in Iraq. ISI focused its efforts on gaining ground in the larger parts of Anbar Province in Iraq, where dissatisfaction amongst the Sunni Muslims was prevalent. However, their hard-lined ideologies and their efforts to enforce Sharia laws were met with opposition from the local population (THE MONTH IN BRIEF: Islamic State forces pushed back in Iraq, 2014). ISI would later find itself in a tight spot after another insurgency group called Sahwat al-Anbar fought and defeated them in a bloody war that took several months. Abna al-Iraq meaning Sons of Iraq group with the technical assistance of the American Soldiers fought and defeated ISI. ISI was pushed out of Fallujah and the other parts of Anbar province that they had managed to capture. Having been formed in the year 2005, the group gave support to American soldiers in the 2007 incursion that saw ISI defeated heavily. The group was however not incorporated to the new Iraqi military as had agreed, the prime minister fearing that the group posed a larger threat to his government. Having been left without jobs, the majority of these fighters have gradually joined the Islamic State. In the year 2010, Al-Baghdadi took over the reins of power after the demise of the two leaders. Al-Baghdadi managed to regain much of the support that had been misplaced by his predecessors. Baghdadi started to expand the groups influence within the region, growing the group exponentially. After gaining enough strength, ISI enjoined itself with the Syrian Civil War in the year 2013, changing the groups name to ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria. The leaders resolve to enjoin the group in the Syrian Civil War provoked hostility with Jabhat al-Nusra, an Al-Qaeda associate in Syria. ISIS leader tried taking-over the al-Qaeda affiliate but got a rebuke from Al-Qaedas leaders from the central command. Baghdadi tried numerous times to reconcile the two groups but failed (Syria: inevitable descent into civil war, 2012). The two organizations became separated officially when the then leader of Al-Qaeda central officially renounced ISIS. All through the year 2013, ISIS shifted base to Syria, building a strong base there, and setting up its monopoly in Raqqa after seizing control and toppling all other factions within the region. Other smaller groups, because of its hard lining ideologies and practices, made several attacks on ISIS. However, it managed to steadfastly hold its positions, consolidating further its position within the region. ISIS effectually enforced control and dominance over territories by making powerful their friends and crushing their enemies (Holbrook, 2015). ISIS additionally employed the use of divide and rule policy particularly in areas where they encountered tribal resistance. ISIS was largely successful in Syria because of the worlds decision to just watch the escalation of violence in the state. The Syrian government sought help from western powers, but they were reluctant after suffering many casualties in the Iraqi war. Major world powers additionally took sides with the two warring sides, with Russia and China inclined towards the government side, while the US and other European nations opposing the Syrian government. Latwan Carpenter observes that all this time while setting up shop in Syria, ISIS had Iraq at the back of the mind. In January 2014, ISIS stormed back to Iraq, cutting through Anbar Province and Fallujah, where it all began. By the month of June 2014, ISIS had managed to capture and retain the city of Mosul in Iraq, the second largest city of Baghdad. This they did with assistance from local Sunni rebel groups and other tribesmen opposed to the Iraqi government. In the same month after capturing the city of Mosul, the group made an announcement, calling for the instantaneous allegiance of all Muslims all through the world. Al-Baghdadi was proclaimed as Caliph Ibrahim (Leader of the Caliph), proclaiming itself as an Islamic State (IS), or Caliphate. The Ideologies of Islamic State Islamic State dwells on the Salafist jihadist ideology. For the believers of this ideology, there is no separation or notable distinction between State and religion. The majority of the decisions are founded on a tyrant interpretation of the Islamic Sharia laws, which is strictly and inhumanely enforced at all costs in all the areas under their jurisdiction. The Islamist State Ideology is closely related to other ideologies of similar groups such as the Taliban and Al-Qaeda. However, disparities occur in the methods of approach to the right moment, and the circumstances required for the establishment of an Islamic State or a Caliphate (Hashim, 2014). The Al-Qaeda group differs with IS, arguing that, even though, the ultimate goal was to establish an Islamic state, the timing is not yet right to enforce that currently. The Salafist jihadist ideology is founded on the notion of going back to the allegedly pure structure and practice of Islam, carried out by the forefathers and the founder of Islam, Mohammed and the initial Muslims since formation of the religion. This dogma allows them to pronounce heretics (Takfirs). Takfirs are the Muslims, who abandon the religion or otherwise diverge from the stringently explained analysis of Islam (Turner, 2015). Heresy or desertion is death. The Islamic State group has been seen on numerous occasions carrying out executions of individuals accused of heresy, by slitting their throats while kneeling down. Salafism originated from Egypt. Ancestral supporters of the ideological beliefs of Salafism are similar to the individuals who formed the Muslim Brotherhood movement. Salafism and Wahhabism developed concurrently. Wahhabism is the dogma of a violent interpretation of Islamic writings. Both movements of Wahhabism and Salafism are closely related. The two groups derive widely from the literature and religious thought of the Islamist Jury of the 14th century known as Ibn Taymiyya (Holbrook, 2015). His contribution and writings advocated for taking the notion of the fact that Arabs were ignorant prior to Mohammed forming Islam and his teachings. Latwan Carpenter observes that his literature additionally points to strict adherence to Sharia law. Tahhmiya additionally advocated for the brutal ousting of all regimes that did not adhere to the strict teachings of Islam, and proposed for their substitution with Islamic State. His teachings would later influence the formation of jihadist groups such as Al-Qaeda and other jihadist organizations. The Islamic State Goals IS goals entailing strengthening the areas already under their management, both in Syria and in Iraq. IS additionally intends on capturing more areas in the two nations. Largely dominated by Sunni Muslims, IS intends on expanding to other nations, especially the neighboring Sunni nations of Saudi Arabia and Jordan. Ultimately, IS intends to have the control of all the nations, and establishment of Sharia laws throughout the world. The IS group has used a strategy that seems to be working for them in the recent past. A prominent tactic involves constructing a sectarian war between the two major Islamic groups namely, Shiites and Sunnis. Islamic State is predominantly a Sunni organization, therefore, by slaughtering Shiites wherever they get a chance, Shiites militia groups respond in like, forcing Sunnis to join the group in large numbers (Holbrook, 2015). Organizational Structure of the IS The IS group is led by the self-declared caliph; Al-Baghdadi. The leader is hardly seen in the public domain due to security reasons. Shortly after self-declaring himself as the caliph of the Islamic State, he urged all the Muslims to obey his command. Baghdadi has several men under his authority. He has nominated a group of advisors, military and police commanders and administrators. Carpenter has found that the Islamic State is governed by a complex structure of commanders, each with a uniquely specified responsibility. From the time when it took over the northern Syrian city of Raqqa, IS has managed to set it up as its capital. IS manages healthcare, security, learning and keeps public harmony. In all the region that IS has managed to capture, it ensures that it has fully established these much-needed services. IS additionally manages the judiciary, based on sharia laws. Gender separation is put into effect and women are required to dress in a certain way in public. Islamic State Funding Running a government of any kind requires financial resources. Nonetheless, the Islamic State is regarded as the richest terrorist group in the world. IS main source of income originates from selling smuggled oil to willing buyers, approximated at $40 million every month. This income is however enhanced by extorting money from individuals, ransom payments for the many kidnappings they carry out and the taxes they usually collect from the areas of domination (Bejesky, n.d). Unlike many other terror organizations, IS funds itself, with handouts making just a small fraction of their income. Individuals living in the captured areas express their preference for Islamic State administration because they argue that the group in all its flaws and radicalization can provide most services at an affordable fee, something the Iraqi and Syrian government are unable to do. Conclusion Latwan Carpenter contends that the Islamic State group, formerly ISIS, just like any other terror groups conduct mass killings in the name of enforcing ideologies and religious beliefs only known to them. These groups tend to exploit a void that seems to be unfilled by the governments of the day. Many terror groups are emerging in the modern societies, adopting hardliner ideologies while carrying out opportunistic attacks on governments and other citizens. Nonetheless, Carpenter argues that it is yet to be seen how willing countries are interested in participating in stopping such groups before they become a global threat. References Bejesky, R. Cognitive Foreign Policy: Linking Al Qaeda and Iraq. SSRN Journal. doi:10.2139/ssrn.2034555 Benjamin, S. (2010). Al Qaeda in Its Own Words - Edited by Gilles Kepel and Jean Pierre Milelli. Digest Of Middle East Studies, 19(2), 303-305. doi:10.1111/j.1949- 3606.2010.00037.x Hashim, A. (2014). The Islamic State: From al-Qaeda Affiliate to Caliphate. Middle East Policy, 21(4), 69-83. doi:10.1111/mepo.12096 Holbrook, D. (2015). Al-Qaeda and the Rise of ISIS. Survival, 57(2), 93-104. doi:10.1080/00396338.2015.1026070 Kfir, I. (2015). Social Identity Group and Human (In)Security: The Case of Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Studies In Conflict & Terrorism, 38(4), 233-252. doi:10.1080/1057610x.2014.997510 Michael, G. (2007). The Legend and Legacy of Abu Musab al‐Zarqawi. Defence Studies, 7(3), 338-357. doi:10.1080/14702430701559248 Syria: inevitable descent into civil war?. (2012). Strategic Comments, 18(2), 1-4. doi:10.1080/13567888.2012.678178 THE MONTH IN BRIEF: Islamic State forces pushed back in Iraq, Yemeni oil threatened, and Ebola hits African oil trade. (2014). Oil And Energy Trends, 39(12), 7-7. doi:10.1111/oet.12209 Turner, J. (2015). Strategic differences: Al Qaedas Split with the Islamic State of Iraq and al- Sham. Small Wars & Insurgencies, 26(2), 208-225. doi:10.1080/09592318.2015.1007563 Read More