Here are the basic facts about ISIS that you would like to know
Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, abbreviated as ISIS, is not an unknown name in the world anymore. The terror group has gathered enough attention from the media as well as the world countries with their ruthless beheading videos and extreme religious fundamentalist ideologies. The humanity of the world has been shocked by their horrific atrocities, mainly in the Middle East. Here are the basic facts you need to know about ISIS.
Origin of ISIS
The earlier form of ISIS was a small militant organisation, early in 1999, if reports are to be believed. Later in 2004, they announced loyalty to al-Qaeda, which is primarily a Sunni Muslim terror group. The group was then known by the name al-Qaeda in Iraq (AIQ). It got influenced by the Wahabi movement in Saudi Arabia. In 2006, the group was rechristened to Islamic State of Iraq (ISI).
And in 2014, ISIS came to be known as Islamic State in Iraq and Levant, abbreviated as ISIL. Levant includes a group of countries, namely Syria, Jordan, Cyprus, Hatay, Lebanon, Israel, Palestine etc. It is simply referred as IS or Islamic State. The group is also known as Daesh.
Al-Qaeda later closed all ties with ISIS which was an outcome of the prevailing power struggle between both the groups.
Presently, it has established its power mainly over Iraq and Syria and the area is spread across 30,000 square miles. Its presence is felt over few other Middle East countries and in South Asia as well.
The spearheads of ISIS
Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi spearheads the militant group which is based out of Syria since 2010.
It was in 2006 that Abu Ayyub al-Masri, who was the leader of al-Qaeda in Iraq (AIQ), declared the formation of ISIS. Abu Omar al-Baghdadi was its leader then. He was later killed by a joint US-Iraq operation in 2010.
What they aim for
The aim of ISIS is to establish an Islamic state, other ways called as caliphate, across the Sunni areas of Iraq, Syria and beyond. It executes Sharia law that covers every aspect of life.
The financial sources
There are enough of rumours regarding the financial sources of the Islamic State. It ranges from oil production and smuggling to ransom amount from kidnappings. A recent news report quoting an analyst group says that the Islamic State takes in more than $1 million per day in extortion and taxation.
Terrific activities
The militant group gained attention from humanitarian organisations from the world after releasing videos of horrific beheadings and terrific public crucifixions. The brutal tactics followed by ISIL have already committed numerous public crucifixions and terrorizing activities. Human abductions and torture, brutal punishments like stoning, amputation, and flogging are commonly carried out in places under IS.
Special facts to know
ISIL is a major militant group that widely uses social media for spreading their ideologies. It has been successful in influencing people from other countries by effective utilization of the media. It also publishes a magazine called ‘Dabiq.’
The IS runs according to an administrative system which includes cabinet, governors, financial advisors, and legislative bodies, and together follows the laws of the caliphate.
