Islamic State

The Islamic State (IS), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), and by its Arabic acronym Daesh, was a transnational Salafi jihadist militant organisation. It occupied large areas of Iraq and Syria between 2013 and 2016. In 2014, the group declared itself a worldwide caliphate, claiming authority over all Muslims, though this was rejected by most Muslims. The group was designated as a terrorist organisation by the United Nations and many countries, including Muslim countries.

At its peak in 2015, the group controlled land with about 12 million people, enforced strict rules based on their extreme views of Islamic law, and had a budget over US$1 billion. It fought against forces from America, Iraq, and Kurdish groups, and later faced attacks from Russia as well. By 2019, it had lost most of its land in the Middle East but continued to spread messages to gain support, especially in parts of Africa. The group was known for harmful actions against many groups and for destroying important historical sites.

Name

Main article: Names of the Islamic State

See also: Name changes due to the Islamic State

The Islamic State, often called IS, is also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), and by its Arabic acronym Daesh. In 2013, the group moved into Syria and changed its name. By June 2014, it called itself simply the Islamic State and claimed to be a worldwide caliphate, though most people and countries did not accept this title. Many people prefer to use the name Daesh because it is seen as a disrespectful way to refer to the group. Different countries and groups use different names when talking about them.

Purpose and strategy

Ideology

The ideology of the Islamic State has been described as a mix of different strict Islamic ideas. It is based mainly on the writings of Sayyid Qutb, an Egyptian thinker. The group follows a very strict form of Sunni Islam and believes in creating a worldwide Islamic state, called a caliphate, led by a single ruler.

The Islamic State believes it is restoring the original Islamic caliphate and rejects many modern Islamic interpretations and governments. It sees itself as the true follower of early Islam and aims to live by very strict rules.

Islamic eschatology

One special belief of the Islamic State is in eschatology—the idea of a final day when God will judge the world. The group believes it will defeat enemies in a final battle at a place called Dabiq.

Goals

A major goal of the Islamic State has been to create a Sunni Islamic state or caliphate. In 2014, the group declared itself a caliphate and named its leader as the caliph, claiming authority over all Muslims worldwide.

Strategy

Documents show that the Islamic State planned its takeovers carefully. It used spies to learn about towns before attacking, focusing on removing leaders and opponents. The group aimed to control people through fear and to draw attention away from its losses by carrying out attacks in other places.

Organisation

IS has been described as a militant group adhering to Salafi jihadism. Raqqa in Syria was under IS control from 2013 and in 2014 it became the group's de facto capital city. On 17 October 2017, following a lengthy battle that saw massive destruction to the city, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) announced the full capture of Raqqa from IS.

From 2013 to 2019, IS was headed and run by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the Islamic State's self-styled Caliph. Before their deaths, he had two deputy leaders, Abu Muslim al-Turkmani for Iraq and Abu Ali al-Anbari for Syria, both ethnic Turkmen. Advising al-Baghdadi were a cabinet of senior leaders, while its operations in Iraq and Syria are controlled by local 'emirs,' who head semi-autonomous groups that the Islamic State refers to as its provinces. Beneath the leaders are councils on finance, leadership, military matters, legal matters, foreign fighters' assistance, security, intelligence and media. In addition, a shura council has the task of ensuring that all decisions made by the governors and councils comply with the group's interpretation of sharia.

According to Iraqis, Syrians, and analysts who study the group, almost all of IS's leaders—including the members of its military and security committees and the majority of its emirs and princes—are former Iraqi military and intelligence officers, specifically former members of Saddam Hussein's Ba'ath government who lost their jobs and pensions in the de-Ba'athification process after that regime was overthrown.

In 2014, The Wall Street Journal estimated that eight million people lived in the Islamic State. The United Nations Commission on Human Rights has stated that IS "seeks to subjugate civilians under its control and dominate every aspect of their lives through terror, indoctrination, and the provision of services to those who obey". Civilians, as well as the Islamic State itself, have released footage of some of the human rights abuses.

Estimates of the size of IS's military have varied widely, from tens of thousands up to 200,000. In early 2015, journalist Mary Anne Weaver estimated that half of IS fighters were foreigners. A UN report estimated a total of 15,000 fighters from over 80 countries were in IS's ranks in November 2014. US intelligence estimated an increase to around 20,000 foreign fighters in February 2015, including 3,400 from the Western world. In September 2015, the CIA estimated that 30,000 foreign fighters had joined IS.

IS relies mostly on captured weapons with major sources including Saddam Hussein's Iraqi stockpiles from the 2003–11 Iraq insurgency and weapons from government and opposition forces fighting in the Syrian Civil War and during the post-US withdrawal Iraqi insurgency. The captured weapons, including armour, guns, surface-to-air missiles, and even some aircraft, enabled rapid territorial growth and facilitated the capture of additional equipment.

IS has used truck and car bombs, suicide bombers and IEDs, and has used chemical weapons in Iraq and Syria. IS captured nuclear materials from Mosul University in July 2014, but is unlikely to be able to convert them into weapons. In September 2015 a US official stated that IS was manufacturing and using mustard agent in Syria and Iraq, and had an active chemical weapons research team. IS has also used water as a weapon of war. The group closed the gates of the smaller Nuaimiyah dam in Fallujah in April 2014, flooding the surrounding regions, while cutting the water supply to the Shia-dominated south. Around 12,000 families lost their homes and 200 square kilometres of villages and fields were either flooded or dried up. The economy of the region also suffered with destruction of cropland and electricity shortages.

IS publishes material directed at women, with media groups encouraging them to play supportive roles within IS, such as providing first aid, cooking, nursing and sewing skills, in order to become good wives of jihad. In 2015, it was estimated that western women made up over 550, or 10%, of IS's western foreign fighters.

According to a 2015 study by the Financial Action Task Force, IS's five primary sources of revenue are as follows (listed in order of significance):

• proceeds from the occupation of territory (including control of banks, petroleum reservoirs, taxation, extortion, and robbery of economic assets)
• kidnapping for ransom
• donations from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar and other Gulf states, often disguised as meant for humanitarian charity
• material support provided by foreign fighters
• fundraising through modern communication networks

In 2014, the RAND Corporation analysed IS's funding sources from documents captured between 2005 and 2010. It found that outside donations amounted to only 5% of the group's operating budgets, and that cells inside Iraq were required to send up to 20% of the income generated from kidnapping, extortion rackets and other activities to the next level of the group's leadership, which would then redistribute the funds to provincial or local cells that were in difficulties or needed money to conduct attacks. In 2016, RAND estimated that IS finances from its largest source of income—oil revenues and the taxes it extracts from people under its control—had fallen from about US$1.9 billion in 2014 to US$870 million in 2016.

The education in IS held territory was organised by the Diwan of Education. IS introduced its own curriculum, which did not include lessons in history, music, geography or art, but included lectures in Islamic Law, Sharia, and Jihad.

Origins

Main article: History of the Islamic State

The group began in 1999, started by a man named Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. At first, it was called "The Organisation of Monotheism and Jihad." After the events of September 11, 2001, and when the United States decided to invade Iraq, Zarqawi's group became more well-known.

In 2004, the group promised to follow another larger group called al-Qaeda. This helped them get more people to join and receive support.

Territorial control and claims

Main articles: Territory of the Islamic State and Territory of the Islamic State – West Africa Province

The Islamic State claimed to be a worldwide authority for all Muslims, saying that other groups no longer had the right to lead. In Iraq and Syria, it divided the land it took into parts it called "provinces." At its strongest, it was sometimes called almost like a small country. By March 2019, it had lost most of its land in Syria and Iraq. However, in Africa, its supporters still took control of some areas in places like Nigeria and Mozambique.

IS affiliates

In Africa

The Islamic State has groups in Africa. The Islamic State – Central Africa Province started in 2018 and works in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. It has about 1,500 to 2,000 fighters. The Islamic State – Mozambique Province began in 2022 and is mainly in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado area. Its size is unknown.

The Islamic State – Sahel Province works in Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. It formed in 2015 and has around 2,000 to 3,000 fighters. The Islamic State – Somalia Province is in northern Somalia and has about 100 to 200 fighters. The Islamic State – West Africa Province is active in parts of Niger, Nigeria, Cameroon, and Chad. It started in 2015 and has between 8,000 and 12,000 fighters.

In Asia

In Asia, the Islamic State has several groups. The Islamic State – Azerbaijan Province works in Azerbaijan. The Islamic State – Bengal Province is in Bangladesh. The Islamic State – Hind Province operates in Indian Jammu and Kashmir. The Islamic State – Khorasan Province works in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, with about 2,000 fighters. The Islamic State – Pakistan Province is active in parts of Pakistan and Iran. The Islamic State – Philippines Province is in the Philippines, mainly in Mindanao. The Islamic State – Turkey Province is in Turkey but is less active.

In Europe

The Islamic State – Caucasus Province is active in the North Caucasus region of Russia. It was announced in 2015, and its size is unknown.

International reaction

International criticism

The group faced strong criticism around the world for its extreme actions. Governments and international organizations like the United Nations and Amnesty International spoke out against it. On 24 September 2014, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said that groups like ISIL “have nothing to do with Islam” and should be called “the Un-Islamic Non-State.” ISIL has been listed as a terrorist organisation by the United Nations, the European Union, the United States, Russia, India, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, and many other countries. Over 60 countries worked together to oppose ISIL.

Social media platforms like Twitter removed accounts sharing IS messages, and Google created ways to redirect people searching for IS material to opposing views.

Islamic criticism

Many Middle Eastern governments, Sunni Muslim scholars, and other jihadist groups rejected the group's declaration of a caliphate and disputed its legitimacy.

Religious leaders and organisations

Around the world, Islamic religious leaders spoke out against ISIL, saying its actions did not match the true teachings of Islam.

Some scholars compared the group to the Khawarijes, an extreme group from early Islamic history. Critics, including Salafi scholars such as Adnan al-Aroor and Abu Basir al-Tartusi, argued that ISIL was not truly Sunni but had moved away from mainstream Islam.

In late 2014, the Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia, Abdul-Aziz ibn Abdullah Al ash-Sheikh, condemned ISIL and al-Qaeda, saying that violent extremism had “nothing to do with Islam.” In September 2014, 126 Sunni imams and Islamic scholars from around the world sent an open letter to the Islamic State's leader, rejecting the group's interpretations of Islamic scriptures, the Quran and hadith. The letter criticized the group for killings and harsh actions carried out under the idea of jihad, calling these acts “not jihad at all, but rather, warmongering and criminality.” The letter also spoke out against the group's treatment of the Yazidis of Iraq and its persecution of Shia Muslims.

In late 2015, nearly 70,000 Indian Muslim leaders issued a formal statement condemning ISIL and similar groups, saying they were “not Islamic organisations.” About 1.5 million followers of this movement publicly opposed violent extremism.

Political journalist Mehdi Hasan noted that Muslims of all backgrounds—Sunni or Shia, Salafi or Sufi—have almost universally spoken out against ISIL, calling it not just wrong but “actively against Islam.”

Analyst Hassan Hassan wrote that because the Islamic State uses religious texts in ways that mainstream Muslim leaders avoid, new followers may feel they have found the “true message of Islam.”

Televised Muslim scholar Yusuf al-Qaradawi said the group’s declaration of a caliphate was not valid under Islamic law and warned that the title of caliph could “only be given by the entire Muslim nation.” He also said that leaders in the United Arab Emirates and the IS group share similar harmful ideas.

Two days after a violent act involving Hervé Gourdel, hundreds of Muslims gathered in the Grand Mosque of Paris to show opposition. The protest was led by Dalil Boubakeur, leader of the French Council of the Muslim Faith, and joined by thousands more across France.

Other jihadist groups

According to _The New York Times, influential jihadist leaders criticized the Islamic State as incorrect, calling its self-proclaimed caliphate invalid and speaking out against its violent actions such as beheadings of journalists and aid workers. ISIL is widely opposed by many Islamic clerics, including those from Saudi Arabia and groups like al-Qaeda.

In February 2014, Ayman al-Zawahiri, leader of Al-Qaeda, announced that his group had cut ties with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

In September 2015, Ayman al-Zawahiri called for discussion within the “prophetic method” when establishing a caliphate, criticizing the IS leader for not following required steps.

The Jaysh al-Islam group criticized ISIL, saying it “killed Muslims and left others unharmed… They use verses meant for non-believers and apply them to Muslims.”

Al-Qaeda and al-Nusra have tried to present themselves as more moderate compared to ISIL, although they share the same goal of creating Islamic law and a caliphate. They prefer a slower approach, using education to prepare people to accept Islamic law before enforcing strict punishments.

Al-Nusra and ISIL are both opposed to the Druze. While al-Nusra has destroyed Druze shrines and pressured them to convert, ISIL sees the entire Druze community as a target, like it does the Yazidis.

Other commentaries

Literature scholar Ian Almond criticized how media discussions often focus on “radical evil” and “radical Islam,” pointing out that “some of the most respected figures in Western history have committed terrible acts of violence.” He argued that actions by leaders like Winston Churchill, Ronald Reagan, and Barack Obama have caused great harm, similar in impact to actions by the Islamic State. He suggested that in fighting ISIL, the West may be confronting its own history of cruelty.

Commentator Tom Engelhardt linked the rise of ISIL and the destruction it caused to America’s efforts to control the region.

A leader article in New Scientist magazine described ISIL as both medieval in style and very modern, using social media effectively to spread its influence far beyond its area.

Designation as a terrorist organisation

See also: List of designated terrorist groups and Terrorism

The United Nations Security Council described Osama bin Laden and his al-Qaeda associates as operators of terrorist training camps in 1999. The UN added ISIL to its list under “Al-Qaida in Iraq” in 2004, and later listed it as “Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant” in 2014. The European Union followed the UN list in 2002.

Many leaders and governments have called ISIL a terrorist group or banned it, though not all their countries made a formal designation.

The Government of Germany banned ISIL in September 2014. Activities banned include collecting money for the group, recruiting fighters, holding ISIL meetings, sharing its messages, flying ISIL flags, wearing ISIL symbols, and all ISIL activities. “The terror organisation Islamic State is a threat to public safety in Germany as well,” said German politician Thomas de Maizière. Being a member of ISIL is also against German law.

In October 2014, Switzerland banned ISIL activities, including sharing messages and supporting fighters, with possible prison sentences.

In mid-December 2014, India banned ISIL after arresting someone who operated a pro-ISIL Twitter account.

Pakistan declared ISIL a banned group in late August 2015. Any support for the group would lead to blacklisting and punishment.

After a meeting in June 2023, the Taliban banned Afghans from working with the local branch of IS in Khorasan Province, calling it a “false sect.”

Media sources around the world have called ISIL a terrorist organisation.

Following the D-ISIS Ministerial in June 2023, Secretary Blinken announced Abdallah Makki Muslih al-Rufay'i and Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad ibn 'Ali al-Mainuki as terrorists under Executive Order 13224.

Militia, cult, territorial authority, and other classifications

By 2014, ISIL was seen not just as a terrorist group but also as a militia and even a cult. As major Iraqi cities fell to ISIL in June 2014, Jessica Lewis, a former US Army intelligence officer, described ISIL as “an army on the move in Iraq and Syria” with control over territory and goals of governing. She said, “They have shadow governments in and around Baghdad, and they have big plans. Whether they want to control Baghdad or destroy Iraq’s government, the result will be terrible for Iraq.”

Lewis described ISIL as “an advanced military leadership” with strong organization, good reporting, money, and many fighters, including escaped prisoners.

Former US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel saw ISIL as a serious threat, but former counter-terrorism adviser Daniel Benjamin called such warnings “a farce” that unnecessarily scared people.

Writing for The Guardian, Pankaj Mishra argued against calling the group a return of medieval Islam, saying instead that ISIL is “very clever at using the global economy of disaffection” to appeal to isolated and anxious people. It offers “the safety of a group identity” and turns personal frustrations into global violence.

On 28 January 2017, U.S. president Donald Trump issued a National Security Presidential Memorandum calling for the Defense Department to create a plan to destroy ISIL within 30 days.

Supporters

Main article: Collaboration with the Islamic State

A report from the United Nations in May 2015 showed that many people from around the world had joined groups like IS. Most of the fighters in Iraq were from Iraq, and most in Syria were from Syria. Some former Iraqi army and police officers also joined the group after changes in the Iraqi government following the U.S. invasion.

In 2014, social media posts showed support for IS from people in several countries. However, most Muslim-majority countries had very negative views of the group. Today, there are still some IS supporters online, and many former fighters and their families are being held in secure places. In early 2026, a conflict in northeastern Syria caused many detainees to escape, and efforts were made to move them to prevent the group from growing stronger again.

Countries and groups at war with IS

IS claimed large areas in Iraq and Syria, which led to conflicts with many countries and groups around the world.

Global Coalition to Counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

The Global Coalition to Counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is a group of nations working together to stop IS. This group includes many countries and organizations that support military actions, training, and other efforts to weaken IS. The United States leads this coalition, and many other countries help by flying missions, training local forces, and providing support in many ways.

Lebanon fought off attacks from IS, and with help from the United States and the United Kingdom, its army successfully pushed back these attacks. In Mali, French forces also acted against IS-linked militants near the border with Mauritania.

Other state opponents not part of the Counter-ISIL Coalition

Iran, Russia, Azerbaijan, Pakistan, and Yemen all took actions against IS within their own borders or in nearby areas. Afghanistan also worked against IS through security operations within the country.

Other non-state opponents

Many groups fought against IS, including al-Qaeda, the Taliban, Hezbollah, the Syrian Democratic Forces, and several other militias and forces in the region.

Al-Qaeda

Al-Nusra Front, a branch of al-Qaeda in Syria, often fought against IS. Although they are different groups, there have been times when they worked together against shared enemies. In 2014, al-Qaeda said it no longer worked with IS, but there were still occasional cooperations between them.

Human rights abuse and war crime findings

Main article: Human rights in Islamic State-controlled territory

See also: Genocide of Yazidis by the Islamic State, Persecution of Shias by the Islamic State, Persecution of Christians by the Islamic State, and Mass executions in Islamic State-occupied Mosul

The Islamic State did many harmful things to people during the time they controlled parts of Iraq and Syria. They hurt and scared many civilians, treating them very badly. They were accused of serious wrongdoings and breaking international rules meant to protect people. Many people were treated very harshly, and some were even killed in public. Leaders of the group were warned that they could be punished for these actions.

The United Nations said that the group tried to control people by being very strict and frightening. They wanted everyone to follow their rules exactly. Many innocent people suffered because of the group's harsh ways.

Explanatory notes

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