Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

Origins

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), traces its roots back to the early 2000s. It was originally an affiliate of al-Qaeda, formed under the name of Tawhid and Jihad by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in 2004. The group was primarily active in the Sunni-dominated areas of Iraq.

A view of a city in Iraq, showing buildings and streets.

Name and Designation

The group has been designated as a terrorist organization by the United Nations and many individual countries. It is known by various names, including Daesh, an acronym of its Arabic name al-Dawlah al-Islāmiyah fī al-ʻIrāq wa-al-Shām. The term "Daesh" is often used by ISIL's opponents and is considered pejorative by the group.

Ideology and Goals

ISIL follows an extremist interpretation of Islam, promotes religious violence, and regards those who do not agree with its interpretations as infidels or apostates. The group aims to establish a caliphate, a state governed in accordance with Islamic law, or sharia, by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who was declared caliph in 2014.

Territory and Governance

At the height of its power, ISIL controlled significant territory in Iraq and Syria, including major cities such as Mosul and Raqqa. The group implemented a strict form of sharia law in the areas it controlled, and its governance structure included various administrative departments and courts.

A view of a city in Syria, showing buildings and streets.

Military Tactics and Activities

ISIL is known for its brutal violence, which is considered extreme even by the standards of warfare and terrorism. The group has carried out mass killings and genocides, sexual slavery, and the destruction of cultural heritage sites. It has also used child soldiers and carried out beheadings and crucifixions.

Financing

ISIL's primary sources of income have included oil production and smuggling, taxes, ransoms from kidnappings, selling stolen artifacts, extortion, and controlling crops.

International Response and Decline

The international community has widely condemned ISIL. A global coalition led by the United States has conducted airstrikes against the group in Iraq and Syria. These efforts, along with those of local forces, have resulted in significant territorial losses for ISIL.

Legacy and Impact

Despite its territorial losses, ISIL continues to pose a threat through its ideology and its ability to inspire terrorist attacks worldwide. The group's brutal tactics have caused massive human suffering and significant damage to cultural heritage sites.