ISIS

ISIS

Topic: International Relation

Section: Important News

Context: Within days of the elimination of the first caliph of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, in a US raid in Syria in October 2019, the group named Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi al-Qurashi its new caliph

Concept:

• ISIS was founded by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, pledged allegiance to Al-Qaeda, and participated in the Iraqi insurgency following the 2003 invasion of Iraq by a multi-national coalition led by the United States. In June 2014, the group proclaimed itself to be a worldwide caliphate, announced the establishment of a worldwide caliphate. Al-Baghdadi was named its caliph, to be known as “Caliph Ibrahim,” and the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant was renamed the Islamic State (IS).
• The ISIS aimed to create an Islamic state called a caliphate across Iraq, Syria and beyond. The group implements Sharia Law, to establish a society that mirrors the region’s ancient past. ISIS is known for killing thousands of people and carrying out public executions, crucifixions and other acts
• ISIL had also established official “provinces” in Libya, Egypt (Sinai Peninsula), Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Algeria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Nigeria and the North Caucasus.
• In 2021, IS African affiliates had once again seized territory and settlements in conflicts such as the Boko Haram insurgency, in Nigeria and the Insurgency in Cabo Delgado, in Mozambique. Notable take overs by IS include Mocímboa da Praia and the Sambisa Forest. Supporters there has been a surge of establishment of “New Provinces” in Indonesia.
• In 2015, the number of Indians who have joined the IS was 23, compared to 760 from the U.K. and 150 from the U.S.