ISIS, there are so many questions. “Who are they?”, “What’s their background?”, “what’s their problem?” are likely some common questions that arise for many people when they hear of the Islamist militant group’s activity on CNN, MSNBC, or your local news outlet. But in light of them recently claiming responsibility for the San Bernardino shootings that took 14 lives, it is clear that their arm not only reaches European and Middle-Eastern regions, they are also expanding their terror tactics across the Atlantic Ocean to strike at any time in the United States and American’s should not take that lightly.
Background
To start, ISIS is an acronym, which means the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Beginning in 2004, the group served as an ally with the well-known terrorist group, al Qaeda. This alliance lasted for about a decade until al Qaeda denounced the group due to the development of even more extreme torture tactics involving the acts of, beheadings, rape, crucifixion, along with other barbaric efforts, and even more intensified radical beliefs that strayed from al Qaeda practices.
Distinguishing from al Qaeda
Similarities between ISIS and al Qaeda do exist. The two groups seek to establish an Islamic State, which is also known as a Caliphate. In establishing that state, each group seeks to do so by the excessive means of brutal violence against non-Muslims or Muslims they deem not extreme enough and radical teachings of the Islamic religion.
But some subtle differences between the two groups exist. For one, ISIS has been able to seize far more land that al Qaeda, which is evidenced by its stronghold over central Iraq and northern Syria. al Qaeda has never acquired land on such a scale, which allows for ISIS to present itself as a more formidable group, while having access to a deeper well of resources.
Additionally, it has been well-documented that ISIS operates as military organization and not that of a terrorist organization. The benefit of this is a more streamlined execution of its operations, governance, and is a prime reason why they have been able to dominate the territories they have seized rather than gaining control only to lose it shortly thereafter.
Another distinguishing element between the two groups is the form in which members of each group pledge their allegiance. In past years to obtain membership into al Qaeda, terrorists swore their allegiance to its leader, Osama Bin Laden prior to his death in 2011. On the other hand, although there isn’t one documented form of pledging allegiance to ISIS, it may come by way of certain groups or individuals communicating that they would like to partner or serve as an ally to ISIS. For example, ISIS has received support from several extremist groups within Africa. Earlier this year, the Nigerian terrorist group, Boko Haram, recently pronounced that they desired to serve as an ally ISIS via an audio message, which was accepted. And most recently this fall, the Somali-based jihadi terrorist group, al-shabaab, also pledged its allegiance by way of communicating this to ISIS through a number of videos that were recorded by the group’s leadership. So while one pledging allegiance to al Qaeda required the acknowledgement and support of an individual, Bin Laden, to support ISIS, less emphasis is placed on the recognition of one major figurehead and support of ISIS’ mission in establishing an Islamic state by any means necessary, as indicated in proclamations of support to the group.
Membership
Membership of the extremist militant group has been reported by the Central Intelligence Agency to range from that of 20,000 to 31,500 fighters within Syria and Iraq. These numbers are formidable and have had a profound impact on striking fear into many of the citizens within the region. The small army is continuing to steadily grow with the support from other terrorist groups and the international attention that the group has been receiving.
Funding
In this day in age, how a group is bankrolled will significantly impact its ability to carry out its mission. ISIS accomplishes its military operations and equips those who carry out their attacks by using a number of financial resources that make it one of the more impressive militant groups to be adequately funded. Some of the primary ways the group receives millions to support its operations is through the sale of oil from the land and oil fields that they have seized, where it is expected that they are making at least one million dollars a day from oil sales on the black market, taxation/extortion, human trafficking, kidnapping for ransom, donations from the wealthy, and a variety of other means.
Notable Acts of Terrorism
- North America: San Bernardino (California, United States) Shootings, 14 deaths, 12/2/2015
- Europe: Paris (France) Shootings, at least 128 deaths, 11/13/2015
- Russian Plane bombing, 224 deaths, 10/31/2015 (as suggested by U.S. intelligence)
- Europe: Istanbul (Turkey) peace rally bombing, at least 100 deaths, 10/10/2015
- Africa: Cairo (Egypt) explosion outside the Italian Consulate, one killed and at least nine wounded, 7/11/2015
Clinton is an Attorney in the Intellectual Property and Entertainment fields whose interests are peaked by way of the realms of law, sports, culture, lifestyle, the arts, and humane interests. Follow him at:
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