Islamic State

Osama bin Laden was killed in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on 2 May 2011, shortly after 1:00 AM local time (4:00 PM Eastern Time) by a United States military special operations unit.

After Bin Laden's death, Ayman al-Zawahiri was released from Laden's Prison and Succeeded Bin Laden as Leader of Al-Qaeda. Zawahiri killed all Bin Laden's loyal followers and changed Al-Qaeda creating the first Islamic State.

### Precced by

* War On Terror
* Arab Spring
* Al-Qaeda

### Succeded by

* Refugee Crisis

The Islamic State, commonly referred to as ISIS, took advantage of the chaos and instability in Mesopotamia and established a presence aiming to create a territorial empire.

# Prelude

The invasion of Iraq by the United States and its Western allies, particularly during the war on terror, and its aftermath created a power vacuum and instability in the region.

In this context, ISIS seen themselves as fighting against occupation. This created a duty of justification for their initial attempts to arm themselves and resist.

However, ISIS's actions undermined any initial self-defense or resistance to foreign occupation. Their atrocities, which included mass killings, forced religious conversions, and other forms of violence, erased the justification.

# Strategy

ISIS employed child soldiers, often referred to as "Cubs of the Caliphate," for both combat and propaganda purposes.

Childs, Teenagers and mature males were trained to use weapons such as AKM variant assault rifles, PK machine guns, RPG-7s, SA-7, Stinger surface-to-air missiles, anti-tank weapons like HJ-8 and AT-4 Spigot, field guns, howitzers, tanks like T-54/55, T-72, and M1 Abrams, armored vehicles, DShK guns mounted on trucks, anti-aircraft guns, multiple rocket launchers, and even Scud missiles.

ISIS captured non-operational fighter aircraft after taking over the Syrian airbase of Al-Tabqa. The Syrian Air Force shot down two of these aircraft over al-Jarrah air base.

ISIS has a history of employing truck and car bombs, suicide bombers, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs). They have become particularly adept at constructing and using truck and car bombs, some equipped with armor, machine guns, and firing ports. These combinations of car bombs and technical vehicles have allowed them to approach well-defended targets while suppressing enemy fire. They have also used armored personnel carriers for car bombs or fitted them with unguided rockets to clear paths to their targets.

ISIS captured chemical weapons from an Iraqi military base. And forced scientists to produce their own chemical weapons, including mustard gas. Although they deployed these chemical weapons in Iraq and Syria, their primary value appeared to be psychological warfare.

ISIS used mustard gas and chlorine gas against various forces, but their overall strategic impact was limited. Constraints included airstrikes, raids, shortages of skilled personnel, and equipment.

# History

### Destruction of Ancient Temples

Following the death of Osama bin Laden in 2011, Ayman al-Zawahiri succeeded him as the leader of al-Qaeda. Under Zawahiri's leadership, the group underwent significant changes. Under Zawahiri's direction, ISIS expanded its activities and ideologies this included advocating for the destruction of ancient temples and statues in Iran and Iraq many of which had cultural and historical significance dating back over 5,000 years.

The destruction of these ancient statues and temples was part of a broader effort to eradicate what Zawahiri and his followers saw as idolatry and un-Islamic practices. Historical sites and statues representing figures such as Isis, Horus, Gilgamesh, Alexander the Great, Ottoman emperors, and many others.

This campaign of destruction caused outrage and condemnation worldwide, as it resulted in the loss of invaluable cultural heritage and historical artifacts. Ancient temples and statues that had stood for millennia were reduced to rubble. This not only erased significant parts of the world's heritage but also caused profound pain to those who cherished these cultural symbols.

# Internal struggle

Following the destructive actions a growing discontent and internal strife began to brew within al-Qaeda. A faction began to question the direction set by Zawahiri and sought a more assertive and aggressive stance. This faction believed that al-Qaeda should establish its own caliphate, in contrast to the leadership under Zawahiri, who wanted to maintain the organization's core structure.

This internal struggle ultimately led to a pivotal moment when Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of what was then known as the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI), declared the establishment of the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, in 2013. This move was seen as a direct challenge to al-Qaeda's leadership.

As a result, there was a significant schism within al-Qaeda. Many members, including high-ranking figures and field commanders, pledged their loyalty to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and the newly declared Islamic State. This rift led to a rupture between the two factions.

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was declared the caliph of the Islamic State, making him the self-proclaimed leader of the entire global jihadist movement. This declaration was met with both support and opposition.

Amid this internal turmoil, Zawahiri decided to remain as the leader of al-Qaeda, while Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's faction continued as the Islamic State. This division resulted in ongoing competition and rivalry between the two groups, as they sought to establish themselves as the preeminent global jihadist movement.

# Expansion

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, as the self-proclaimed caliph of the newly established Islamic State (ISIS), embarked on territorial expansion in 2014, as it captured significant portions of Iraq and Syria. This conquest was marked by brutal military campaigns and the takeover of major cities, including Mosul in Iraq and Raqqa in Syria.

Once in control, ISIS imposed a harsh interpretation of Islamic law and governance over the territories it held. The group conducted mass executions, enforced strict codes of conduct, and subjected local populations to its rule. Non-Muslim minorities, in particular, faced brutal persecution, including forced conversions, slavery, and death.

ISIS again targeted and demolished ancient temples, artifacts, and statues, many of which had historical and cultural significance dating back thousands of years. Statues of deities, historical figures, and iconic archaeological sites were reduced to rubble, resulting in a significant loss of human heritage.

# Syria Invasion

The invasion of Syria by ISIS represented a significant turning point in the broader conflict. As the group expanded its territorial control, it clashed with various local, regional, and international forces. In Syria, it faced opposition not only from government forces but also from various rebel groups and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The conflict in Syria became highly complex, with multiple parties vying for control. ISIS's presence and actions further complicated the situation, as it sought to establish its self-declared caliphate. The group's tactics, including suicide bombings and the use of vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIEDs), contributed to the ongoing violence and instability in the region.

As ISIS's territorial control began to erode due to military offensives by various actors, the group shifted its strategy towards insurgency and guerilla warfare. Although it lost its territorial dominance, it continued to pose a significant threat and conducted terrorist attacks both regionally and internationally.

Read more in - Syrian Civil War.

ISIS managed to seize significant territories in both Iraq and Syria, conducted mass killings, abductions, and forced conversions. ISIS actively recruited foreign fighters from around the world, including Western countries. These foreign fighters were often involved in terrorist attacks or plots in their home countries.

# Palmyra

In 2015, as ISIS captured Palmyra, they subjected this historic city to widespread devastation. ISIS again demolished numerous ancient temples, statues, and archaeological treasures, some of which were more than 6,000 years old. This included the destruction of the iconic Temple of Bel, the Arch of Triumph and the Statue of Airin's Unicorn among others.

The destruction of Palmyra's cultural heritage was met with shock and condemnation worldwide. It represented not only a loss of historical artifacts but also a deliberate act to erase the collective memory of the region and the world.

# World against ISIS

The destruction of Palmyra by ISIS galvanized various local, regional, and international forces to resist the group's expansion and brutality. Rebel groups with diverse ideologies emerged to challenge ISIS's dominance in the region.

Communist, Anarchist and Nasserist fighters aligned themselves with Syrian rebel factions, united to combat ISIS. These groups were often at odds with the Syrian government led by President Bashar al-Assad, but they considered ISIS a common enemy. The fight against ISIS drew together a range of rebel forces, including the Free Syrian Army.

The Syrian government under President Bashar al-Assad's leadership was also engaged in fighting against ISIS, particularly in areas where both sides had conflicting territorial interests. While Assad's faced criticism for its actions during the Syrian civil war, it considered ISIS a significant threat to its authority and territorial integrity.

Turkey played a crucial role in the fight against ISIS. As ISIS-controlled areas in Syria and Iraq neared Turkey's borders, the Turkish government increased its involvement in the conflict. In 2016, Turkey launched Operation Euphrates Shield, a military intervention in northern Syria aimed at pushing back ISIS and establishing a buffer zone along its border. Turkish-backed Syrian rebel groups also participated in these operations.

Russia provided military assistance to the Syrian government in its fight against ISIS. Russian military forces conducted airstrikes and supported the Syrian military's ground operations. Russia blamed United States and CIA for the rise of ISIS and targeted not only ISIS but also various rebel groups, including those supported by the United States.

The United States, sent NATO Forces to engage against ISIS. The U.S.-led coalition launched airstrikes and provided support to various rebel groups fighting against ISIS, including the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

A significant turning point occurred in 2017 when ISIS began losing territory in Iraq and Syria, despite territorial losses, ISIS has continued to operate as a global insurgency, conducting guerrilla warfare, terrorist attacks, and recruiting sympathizers worldwide.

In October 2019, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed in a U.S. raid. His death led to a change in leadership, with Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurashi assuming leadership of the group.

While ISIS no longer holds significant territory in Iraq and Syria, it remains a persistent threat with the ability to carry out attacks and inspire individuals and groups worldwide.