ISIS Background ISIS Islamic State of Iraq and
ISIS
Background • ISIS= Islamic State of Iraq and Syria • ISIL= Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant • Most significant threat to Iraq’s security since America left in 2011 • An offshoot of al-Qaeda – united thousands of foreign fighters under a desire to redraw Middle East borders – GOAL: to create an Islamic state governed by an extremist interpretation of Islamic law (from Iraq to Syria)
ISIL identified
June 2014 • Militants have been seizing cities • Displacing hundreds of thousands • Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is ISIS leader – US State Dept offering $10 million for his capture
• Nouri al-Maliki, Iraqi PM – Weak security forces – Despite millions from Americans – Absence of national unity – Has driven many Sunnis and Kurds away • Iraqi Sunnis are turning to extremists to protect them
• Parts of Iraq’s border with Syria has been erased by ISIS – Took the cities of Fallujah and Ramadi in January – Controls several provinces – Baghdad is rocked by regular bombings • Ultra-extremists have flourished in Syria by seizing territories that were poorly run by opposition factions
ISIS gaining support • Hold anti-regime forums in neighborhood squares • Fun activities for children to gain early support • Hand out charity while promoting its mandate • Attempting to lay the groundwork for a future Islamic state – By gradually socializing Syrians to the concept
• Iranian president Hassan Rouhani – “is ready to help Iraq—if asked—and would consider “cooperation” with any American efforts”
August 20, 2014 • ISIS sends out video showing beheading of US journalist James Foley – Threatens life of another journalist – Warns Obama to stop military action in Iraq • Foley disappeared in Nov 2012 in Syria – Working for US news site Global. Post • Predicted: 20 journalists missing in Syria, many by ISIS
September 2, 2014 • ISIS sends another video of the beheading of US journalist Steven Sotloff – Disappeared while reporting in Syria, 2013 – Wanted to show suffering of the Arab world
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