ISIS: Formation and Objectives

ISIS: Formation and Objectives

1. Formation

   • Soviet Union Invasion of Afghanistan - 1979
     • Brought many Muslim foreign volunteers seeking to push out the "Godless invaders"
       • 1988-1989: Now veterans - Aspired by the idea and their God in faith
         • Some of them formed Al-Quaeda
           • Continued fighting against dictators
   • 2001: US invasion of Iraq - 3000 militants
     • Religious extremists rushed to help
       • IRAQ: war between Iraq's Sunni minority (rebels) and Shia majority
         • US supported Shia's army (now seen as big error!)
         • Iraq PM (al-Maliki) Government issues
           • Corruption
           • Privileges to Shia and marginalise Sunnis
             • 2011-2012: Civil war
       • 2004: Al-Zarqawi joins and forms Al-Quaeda in Iraq (AQI)
         • Many Sunnis turned against AQI because too violent
           • 2006 Al-Zarqawi killed in US strike
         • AQI merged with other groups and new name: Islamic State of Iraq
           • In 2010 new leader became Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi
             • In 2013 during civil war: took over Jabhat al-Nusra's branch in Syria
               • Al-Quaeda and Jabhat al-Nusra rejected this info
                 • Started competing
                   • Formed ISIS

2. Objectives

   • Gain territory
     • Form a state (Iraqi and Syrian territory
       • Caliphate
         • Representing the entire Muslim community worldwide
           • For jihadists: Islam's glory
         • Caliph
           • Political-military figure
         • Restore the early Islamic empire and take over the world
   • Be self sufficient and sustained
     • Oil, thefts
   • Attract foreigners to fight rather than Syrian rebels