Explaining what’s happening with ISIS can’t be fully captured in a few lines, but I'll try to provide a brief and direct overview of the main picture surrounding this group.
Background of ISIS:
After the United States toppled Saddam Hussein’s regime in Iraq, everyone who supported him, including Sunni Muslims who make up half of Iraq's population, was targeted. They were replaced in power by Shiites and Kurds, the ruling Ba'ath Party was dismantled, and the Iraqi army, once one of the strongest in the region, was dissolved.
Emergence of Armed Groups:
In this security and political vacuum, al-Qaeda, led by Osama bin Laden, began recruiting followers. Among them was "Abu Musab al-Zarqawi," who became notorious for beheading Americans, Shiites, and anyone supporting the U.S. invasion of Iraq. Al-Zarqawi founded the group "Al-Qaeda in Iraq," which grew to become one of the most brutal organizations. But due to its atrocities, it started losing popular support, until al-Zarqawi was killed by U.S. forces.
Rise of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi:
After al-Zarqawi, "Abu Omar al-Baghdadi" took over the group, increasing military operations against Americans and their allies, but he was soon killed as well. Then came "Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi," a figure with a strong religious and military background, holding a Ph.D. in Quranic Sciences and Islamic Jurisprudence from Baghdad. He also had advanced military training and was believed to have connections within the former Iraqi army. Al-Baghdadi himself was arrested by U.S. forces and spent two years in "Camp Bucca" prison in Iraq, where he built strong ties with opposition leaders to the U.S. occupation.
ISIS Becomes a "State":
After his release from prison, al-Baghdadi gathered former Ba'ath Party leaders and Sunni tribal leaders in Iraq, establishing a state within a state by exploiting the chaos in Iraq and government corruption. He began gradually taking control of Iraqi provinces and cities, using both military power and religious influence.
Al-Baghdadi declared the establishment of the "Islamic State of Iraq," and then moved toward Syria, exploiting the chaos there. He sent "Abu Muhammad al-Julani" to establish "Jabhat al-Nusra" in Syria, and over time, the group expanded and took control of vast areas.
Split Between Al-Qaeda and ISIS:
When al-Baghdadi asked al-Julani to unite their forces under his leadership, al-Julani refused, leading to a rift with "Ayman al-Zawahiri," the leader of al-Qaeda, who tried to intervene but failed. Al-Baghdadi responded by announcing the establishment of the "Islamic State of Iraq and Syria" (ISIS), declaring that anyone not under his banner was an enemy.
ISIS Expansion:
ISIS didn't stop at controlling territories but began carrying out horrific acts against anyone opposing it, including Syrian government forces, Jabhat al-Nusra, and even the Kurds. It managed to seize large parts of Iraq and Syria, abolished the borders between them, and al-Baghdadi declared himself "Caliph of Muslims" in mid-2014.
Resources and Propaganda:
ISIS seized enormous resources from oil and banks, imposed its control by force, and managed its own economy, making it the richest terrorist organization in the world. The group used media and propaganda in unprecedented ways, producing high-quality videos that spread terror and promoted its ideology.
Support and Allegiance:
ISIS not only controlled territories but also received pledges of allegiance from other groups worldwide, such as "Ansar Beit al-Maqdis" in Egypt, "Ansar al-Sharia" in Libya, and "Boko Haram" in Nigeria, increasing its global influence.
International Response:
As ISIS expanded and threatened international interests, the U.S. and its allies, followed by Russia and France, began launching airstrikes against ISIS positions. But the organization continued to operate both as a state and as a gang, making it difficult to defeat.
Current Situation:
ISIS is now fighting against a large number of parties, including U.S. forces, the Syrian army, the Iraqi army, the Kurds, and many other groups. Despite this, the group remains a significant threat, and its members are highly trained.
Additional Notes:
ISIS is accused of committing crimes against humanity and displacing millions.
The organization rejects any concept of human rights or citizenship, focusing on imposing its control by force.
The alliances against ISIS have not yet been able to eliminate it entirely due to the complexity of the conflict and the intertwined parties involved.
Conclusion:
ISIS is not just a group of mercenaries; it is an organization with extensive military and strategic experience, representing a global threat that requires a comprehensive approach beyond military solutions.