The Islamic State must not be regarded as a terrorist organization alone. The group has evolved into a well-run political machine and a potent military force. The group believes in a twisted translation of Islamic law as an anchor political belief and demands that this particular world view be imposed on Muslims as well as peoples of other ‘inferior’ religious beliefs. Founded by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, the group was originally called as the “Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), the first regiments of the IS fought against the US military in the aftermath of the downfall of Iraqi strongman Saddam Hussein. The IS joined the Syrian War in 2013; however, rather than centering their energies on deposing the regime of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad, the IS instead on laying the foundations of the Islamic nation.
The Islamic State began as the Jamaat al-Tawhid wa-i-Jihad, established before the turn of the millennium by al-Zarqawi. At first, the group exerted its energies to depose the current regime in Jordan; however, Zarqawi first gained notoriety as a jihadist fighter in Afghanistan. In 1999, Zarqawi met Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden; the two never had a harmonious relationship, partly due to the two’s belligerent personalities and the other owing to social status. Zarqawi was brazen, coarse, and came from a lower social stratum; bin Laden came for a higher social stratum and did not have the urge to always be on the “front lines (The Clarion Project 4-5).
The IS has a number of objectives that span from the short-term to long-term goals. For the short term, the immediate goal of the ISIS/L is to reinforce and cement the areas already under its influence and conquer more areas in Iraq and in Syria. One of the integral strategies to achieve its objectives has been to induce total sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shiites; this is accomplished by conducting mass murders of Shiites wherever and when these are discovered. Aside from advancing the cause of the Sunni sect in Iraq, ISIS forces and their leaders also hold the view that Shiites are apostates that must be purged. These actions will trigger retaliatory attacks from Shiite military forces and force Sunnis to seek the protection of the Islamic State. In the medium term, the IS seeks to further integrate its territorial gains in Syria and in Iraq and then extend its influence into adjacent Sunni states. There are unverified reports on the possible targets, which the ISIS/L is trying to foment by going on social media and declaring unclear threats as to the identity of the next targets.
However, there are vague reports that indicates the identity of the next possible targets=-Saudi Arabia and Jordan. The two nations possess similar characteristics. Both Saudi Arabia as well as Jordan has large youth sectors disgruntled at their governments and both are ruled by tyrannical monarchical systems that rose from the smoke of the Arab Spring relatively unmarked. By progressing in this manner, the group seeks to implement a continuous yet forceful approach in advancing its overall goal of complete global domination (Clarion 14).
It must be understood that the ISIS was not established as a singular group; it was born out of the integration of the forces of other groups operating in the region before the “birth” of the ISIS. These were the Islamic State of Iraq, the initial Al-Qaeda Organization in the Land of the Two Rivers (AQI), the Mujahedeen Shura Council and the “Jund al-Sahhaba,” or the “Soldiers of the Prophet’s Companions.” All of these groups were combined to form the IS forces in the region. The group that became the ISIS was commissioned in 2013 and has since morphed into one of the most lethal “jihadist” movements battling government forces in Iraq and in Syria (Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium 1).
The “Islamic State,” as envisioned by the ISIS/L, is the pioneering and up to the present time, the sole endeavor to revive the Islamic governmental mechanism in the contemporary period. A “caliphate,” as a governmental mechanism, is regarded by Muslims as a “divinely sanctioned religious monarchy that invests power in the hands of the caliph, who has the sole authority to declare jihad and to interpret Islamic texts.” Here, it is proposed that the caliphate has the singular mandate in terms of interpreting religious matters as well as political authority over the “Ummah,” or the total Muslim nation. The last caliphate, established by the Ottomans, was deposed by Kemal Ataturk in 1924.
The concept of the caliph is a critically symbolic icon in Islamic terms and the revival of the caliphate is a constant objective of all Islamist and fundamentalist groups. This is true from groups with such diverse philosophies such as Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood to the more fanatical Jamaah Islamiyah based in India. In terms of religious importance, the caliph is the successor to the heir to Islam’s founder; Abu-Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the IS, is said to claim lineage from Mohammed, Islam’s founder, by opting to use the name “al-Qurayashi (Clarion 17).
The main strength of the group lies in the fact that it can effectively recruit new members into its fold as well as deploy support mechanisms to strengthen recruitment. In addition, the years of combat experience and its large financial and territorial resources give the group a distinct advantage in furthering its cause in the region. However, the fanatical zeal of the group’s adherents and its overlap of political and religious fervor and overarching claims that the group is representative of all Muslims in Iraq and in Syria, as well as all Muslims in the world, will estrange possible supporters to their cause (Parker 1).
US officials have been vocal of the government’s hesitation on launching new military actions in Iraq, specifically committing ground troops into the fray. The United States Department of State, through its representatives, insists that the only viable solution to eliminating ISIS is the development of a political solution. This must be inclusive of all stakeholders in the issue-Sunnis, Kurds, and Shia that will lead to the formulation of an effective strategy designed to annihilate a virulent Sunni sect that holds sway in a large part of Northern Iraq.
Even respected religious leaders have framed the ISIS/L as an extremist group that “has violated all Islamic values and the great purposes of Shari’a.” In the opinion of Sheikh Shawqi Allam, the ISIS must only be understood as an extremely violent, bloodthirsty organization that poses an immediate and clear threat to Muslims and to Islam on the whole, and must be dealt with on the regional as well as the global levels (al-Kharir 1). ISIS not only poses a clear threat to Middle Eastern regional security and peace, it also poses a threat to the remaining superpower, the United States.
In order to accurately gauge the threat that ISIS poses to American interests, it must be understood that the group threatens the US in two ways. One, ISIS must be recognized that ISIS is an extremely malevolent organization with a long record of deadly attacks targeting the West. At present, the ISIS has gained the capacity to plan extremist attacks against the United States and its coalition partners, and to launch activities designed to undermine and eventually overthrow legitimate Iraqi authority. The second peril that is being attributed to the group is the possibility that the expatriates that travelled to Iraq and to Syria and have trained with the ISIS. These elements can easily blend in their own countries and there wreak havoc under orders from the ISIS leadership (Parker 1).
Islamic scholars have maintained the position that the interpretation of Islam as held by ISIS is twisted and one that must be crushed, particularly in its demolition of holy sites and burial sites of the prophets and the “holy.” Furthermore, the actions of the group in Lebanon, Syria and in Egypt, that the group staunchly declares are in compliance with the Shari’a law and in keeping tradition with historical precedents, are regarded as the “ultimate in debasement and trading in religion.” Scholars note that the attacks on non Muslims have never had any precedent in Islamic history; to them, Islam is propagated by teaching and on the tenets of justice and not by mass murders and the desecration and demolition of religious places (al-Khair 1).
This training is the most threatening factor, and coupled with the virulent conduct of the group, results in an extremely potent amalgam. American intelligence analysts and Special Forces recently deployed in Iraq have found that the group’s fighters quickly changed their strategies to optimize their capacity to intimidate local soldiers and law enforcement personnel. In this light, the highly propagandized videos of adult males being butchered, particularly soldiers, law enforcement personnel, and tribal fighters; when these are captured by ISIS fighters, often times obtained by false promises of compassion if these should surrender, these individuals are then slaughtered.
This is done by beheading or crucifying the victims, and as with the case of massacres, these are caught on video. Lastly, the decision to kill the enemies of ISIS/L also projects a message of a willingness to become a martyr for their cause. ISIS/L assaults traditionally feature on the actions of “suicide bombers” or attackers that are sent to a fight where these have no chances of coming out alive.
However, the mode of extremism that the ISIS/L is practicing is not new. In fact, this extremist philosophy has been in existence for thousands of years. One of the significant displays of this type of terrorism was the annihilation of Baghdad by the Mongol hordes in 1258. The Mongols demanded immediate surrender from the people of the city; if the people in the city refused, these would send a message that they will take the city regardless of the costs that the invading armies will incur.
When the Arab leader of the city refused to heed the demands of the Mongols, these took the city in two weeks time and slaughtered all the people in the city. The carnage in Baghdad was a grim warning for the leaders in the region of the futility of resisting the Mongols. Fortunately, the ruler in Egypt had a powerful army and competent lieutenants that decimated the Mongols when the two armies fought, forcing the Mongols to turn their attention elsewhere (Dunnigan 1).
According to former Senior Adviser to America’s ambassador to Iraq and the US National Security Council Brett McGurk, the international community must combine its efforts in cutting off the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) from the general population. In addition, there must be a capacitating component for the tribes in the adjacent areas that will aid these effectively neutralize the threat on the ground. However, what is disturbing in McGurk’s testimony before the House of Representatives’ Foreign Affairs Committee is that the ISIS must not be comprehended as a “terrorist group.” Rather, McGurk argues that the group must be understood as a “full blown army (Bennett 1).
However, there are assertions that some members of the international community are aiding rather stopping the progress of the group. The United States Treasury Department claim that elements in Kuwait are financially aiding IS forces by directing significant amounts of monies to these parties in Iraq and in Syria. According to Treasury Department Undersecretary David Cohen, aside from Kuwait, Syria charges Saudi Arabia and Qatar as among the largest contributors to the ISIS/L cause (Alalam 1).
Funding its fanatical drive for total worldwide domination cost a significant amount of funds. However, with the extensive funding the group gets, the IS has assumed the title as the wealthiest extremist group in the world. IS revenue flows are estimated at $1 million from oil earnings alone, smuggled oil, that is. Aside from revenue from bootlegged oil, the group also derives its operating income from coercion, kidnapping and “taxes” from the areas under its influence. In fact, the services and promises of the IS are more dependable than those of the Iraqi government. There are reports that a number of residents in Fallujah that for the flaws of the IS, the capacity of the extremists to provide services for the citizens and deliver consistent paychecks for doctors and other professionals make them a better choice than being under the Iraqi government (Clarion 15).
There are initiatives among the global community in stymieing the flow of funds to the ISIS/L. The United Nations supported Russia’s proposal to prohibit the sale of oil from the IS in Iraq and the Levant as well as the NASRA group in Syria and in Iraq. The UN Security Council released joint statement stated that acquiring oil from the IS and the NASRA can result in the imposition of severe penalties. In addition, if countries will continue to purchase their oil requirements, thus financially support IS operations, will result in further sanctions.
With the control of the oil production facilities in the hands of IS forces, this will provide solid financial resources for the terrorists and aid in their efforts in recruiting local and expatriate fighters, and launch bloody terror assaults. Simply put, the UN council believes that purchasing oil from the ISIS or from ISIS controlled areas is in “violation of UN [agreements] and that countries will strive to assure the international community that these will not source their oil requirements from these parties (Mamoun 1).
The international community, however, seems to have failed to muster enough resources to stop the rampage of the IS in the region. The IS has taken control of several critical public health and safety installations across Iraq and in Syria. These facilities, if not retaken, can pose a serious threat that can endanger the lives of thousands of non-combatants. There were unverified reports that the IS had taken control of Mosul Dam, Iraq’s largest hydroelectric facility. Reports coming from the dam’s administrator that local Kurdish fighters have been able to fend off the attacks being launched by ISIS/L forces. The ISIS/L can still cripple the dam without having to take the dam itself.
Dam personnel conduct extensive sealing activities almost every day on the dam structure. This is to prevent water from weakening the foundations of the dam. Should the IS be able to stop the grouting activities of the dam personnel, then the foundations of the dam, already weak from years of use, can allow the dam to just collapse. The IS can also conduct demolition activities, either to destroy components of the dam, or on the dam itself; in addition, should the IS hold the dam, it can divert power from areas that are opposing its rule over them. However, it is a breach that is most feared with an IS takeover. Should the dam breach, swiftly raging waters from the dam would severely impact at least 50 percent of Mosul that can result in grim casualty figures, ranging from at least 500,000 to one million deaths.
The waters from the Mosul Dam can also impact the Iraqi capital of Baghdad. It is most disturbing that ISIS/L has a notorious reputation in using water as a medium of terror. After taking control of a dam on the Euphrates River, the extremists warned that it will inundate the regions adjacent to Fallujah or interrupt water resources to Baghdad and the southern areas. At present, the extremists have three dams and two electric power generating facilities in Aleppo and in the Raqqa areas in Syria (Wiser 1).
ISIS/L’s strategy has raised serious fears on the welfare and safety of non-combatants that have fallen under the shadow of ISIS/L in the region. With the group aggressively pushing for the establishment of the caliphate encroaching on large tracts of Iraqi and Syrian territories, there are reports that the areas and the systems in these cities will permanently not be able to recover from the occupation of the ISIS/L forces.
With regards to the occupied Tabqa dam in Raqqa, the reckless use of the water in the dam has resulted in the water in the nearby Lake Assad to dangerously drop. With dramatically lower water supplies, drinking water for the residents in Aleppo and Raqqa provinces will be severely threatened. Militants as well as residents have condemned the regime of the IS, characterized by the incarceration of more than 1,000 civilians and public weekly executions.
The American government has been reluctant in giving military aid directly to the Kurdish militants fighting against the IS at the Mosul dam area and adjacent areas. U.S officials have stated that the aid can be channeled through Baghdad; however, Iraqi government officials and the Kurds share a mutual wariness with each other regarding a long standing misunderstanding over oil sales and the deep desire of the Kurds to be independent from Baghdad.
Though American analysts have expressed a deep apprehension on the possible devastation that a breach of the Mosul Dam would inflict, there is a deep cautionary note that must be observed when negotiating with the Kurdish militants. Rather than provide direct military aid to the Kurds, there are sectors that favor that the United States accept the offer of the Kurds for the grant of basing rights in the area.
In one instance, Kurdish regional officials granted basing rights to a crack Iranian military regiment tasked to defend Shiite holy sites in Northern Iraq, and one Kurdish official even rebuffed reports that Iran is one of the largest financiers of extremism in the Middle East. If the United States would rather accept the basing rights, there would be no need to provide direct military assistance to the Kurds. In addition, the United States would be able to establish a strong foothold in the region and stave off the rising influence of Iran at the same time (Wiser 1).
ISIS leaders and cadres drum up the “evils of corruption” in the Middle; however, with the high prevalence of corruption in the region, it is doubtful that even the ISIS has eliminated the practice from within the organization. With the presence of corruption in its ranks, and the added deployment of American “killer drones” to hunt down IS elements, there is a belief that ISIS will soon be eliminated as a threat to the Middle East and to the global community (Dunnigan 1).
Works Cited
Alalam, “US says Kuwait is one of ISIL terrorist group funders.” <http://en.alalam.ir/news/1621234
Bennett, John T. “Administration official: ISIL ‘no longer a terrorist group,’ now a full-blown army.” <http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140723/CONGRESSWATCH/307230039/Administration-Official-ISIL-No-Longer-Terrorist-Group-Now-Full-Blown-Army-
Clarion Project, the, “Fact sheet: the Islamic State (ISIS, ISIL).” <www.clarionproject.org/factsheet/islamic-state-isis-isil
Dunnigan, James, “The wisdom of the Mongols.” <http://www.strategypage.com/dls/articles/The-Wisdom-Of-The-Mongols-9-27-2014.asp
al-Khair, Waleed Abu “ISIL is a ‘disgrace to Islam’: top Muslim clerics.” <http://al-shorfa.com/en_GB/articles/meii/features/2014/08/20/feature-01
Mamoun, Abdelhak, “UN bans oil purchases from ISIL and Al Nasra terrorist groups.” <http://www.iraqinews.com/arab-world-news/un-bans-oil-purchases-isil-al-nasra-terrorist-groups/
Parker, Clifton B. “ISIS terrorist group is a potential threat to U.S., Stanford scholar says.” <http://news.stanford.edu/news/2014/july/crenshaw-isis-threat-071014.html
Terrorism Research and Analysis Consortium “Islamic State of Iraq and ash Sham/Islamic State (Islamic State of Iraq, ISIS or ISIL, Is).” <http://www.trackingterrorism.org/group/islamic-state-iraq-islamic-state-iraq-and-sham-isis
Wiser, Daniel “ISIL seizing key facilities in Iraq, Syria.” <http://freebeacon.com/national-security/isil-seizing-key-facilities-in-iraq-syria/
