Abstract
ISIS is one of the operations and groups that hit the global scene in 2014. This view represents an Arabic Broadview Group defined as an unrecognized pro-state that describes the Islamic State of Iran and Syria. This is based on the Salifi Jihadist type of doctrine cherished to stir a specific Islamic goal (Graeme n.p).
Analysis of the Origin of ISIS
ISIS, also termed Daesh, stemmed from the Al Qaeda in Iraq founded in 2004 by Abu Musab al Zarqawi. In the year 2007, this group faded due to the increased entrance of the United States troops to Iraq, which destabilized and cut its operations by destroying most of the formed networks and leaders. However, the group reemerged in 2011, and this is attributed to the increased cases of instability in Syria and Iraq, and other parts of the world. In this regard, the ability to carry out attacks, bolster ranks, and reinstall networks still ensured the survival of ISIS. From 2013, ISIS came back on a truck by launching the offensive in many places, especially Tikrit and Mosul, and the formation of a caliphate by their leader (Abu Bakr al Baghdadi), which stretched from Diyala in Iraq to Aleppo in Syria. This was renamed Islamic State (Graeme n.p).
Analysis of Formation of ISIS
Many theories elucidate the genesis of ISIS. According to Major General Micheal K. Nagat, a Special Operations commander for the United States in the Middle East, ISIS is a group of Islam leaders who came up with an idea of their path to Day of Judgement phenomenal to their strategy. Despite the attacks that dominated the ISIS group, they had much support from people who believed in this faith. In 2015, it expanded its network in more than eight countries, with its branches, affiliates, and supporters carrying out attacks. With the Abu Musab al-Zarqawi’s mission or objective, which was termed as a dark vision, then ISIS was formed as he aimed at ensuring there was a civil war between the Sunnis and Shiites (Stiefel 10).
Furthermore, the formation of a caliphate was another objective. Despite Abu Musab al-Zarqawi being killed in 2006, his vision was still realized in 2014. This was the year ISIS overran eastern Syria and northern Iraq. In addition to that, Sunni’s extremists who Osama Bin Laden and Zarqawi represented, based on ex-communication or Takfir, had to fight the Shiites constantly and, as such, the formation of ISIS.
Beliefs and the Demands of ISIS
The Islamic States is a collection of people with a myriad of beliefs that distinguish them from the rest of the people in a given population. In this religious group defined by carefully considered and concealed beliefs, individuals who join this team must follow to the later the demands laid. ISIS members are renowned persons in the Islamic religion who have a heart of sacrifice and must be ready for the course (Graeme n.p). This is the greatest attribute of the members of this group. Also, they believe that they are doing this course religiously, and Allah is seeing them or blessing them as they are just agents to accomplish his will. In the same breath, an individual is ready to go the extra mile to restore the caliphate of early Islam. This required all Muslims to pledge allegiance to this kind of belief. Any other person who is of a contrary belief is a defiled Islam and must be followed with bloody sectarian killings and be purged of apostasy.
Furthermore, the Day of Judgement is near for all the Muslims and will follow the defeat of Rome’s army. The early Prophet Muhammad empowered such beliefs. Therefore, ISIS believed strongly in this without question, and they were ready to follow the radical Islamists ideology that gave them the zeal to be fully Islamic State. The innovativeness of the members or believers is what they termed as rejuvenating Islam to pure Islam (Alireza n.p). In this regard, Salafi-Jihadi tradition, sharia, State ruled by a single leader based on Islamic law, is an extreme interpretation of the Sunnis law. This was the backbone of the creation and belief of ISIS. Finally, the Islamic State members believed that the rest of the world needed to either be isolated or merged into Islam since they contain many unbelievers whose objective was to disrupt or destroy Islam. This was a justification of the hatred and the attacks against other Muslims and non-Muslims alike (Stiefel 12).
The Component of ISIS Concerning War
Despite the primary goal of ISIS, consistency in its operations is what dominated the doctrine and the members’ beliefs. The kind of affinity for violence, use of the militia, and fascist regimes was common. This was coupled with many cases that included pacifism hatred, glorification of sacrifice and war, imperial goals, torture against the opponents, longing for war and violent struggles, and brutal war crimes. The recruitment of the members and the intoxication of the doctrines that gave the persons used the belief to follow this was paramount and key in the ISIS operations and way of life (Graeme n.p).
Rise and Fall of ISIS
According to Alireza (n.p), ISIS has been on the rise globally due to several forces despite it being fought from every corner by countries that do not ascribe to this kind of faith. This is attributed to several factors which stem from the support they get from other Islamic countries worldwide. These countries offer financial, human resources to join ISIS and fight outside their countries. Also, the kind of doctrine spread has been the strength that enabled it to rise and spread within the shortest time possible. For example, in Tunisia and Libya, most youths were recruited to join the movement since most of them were desperate and lacked jobs.
On the other hand, the lack of international coordination among the Islamic States globally led to the fall of ISIS.
Most of the countries were in Africa and the Middle East, and as such, this was important in ensuring the people were brought on board. However, this turned out to be a challenge as most of the youths recruited could not be coordinated through online mechanisms. Such radicalization was met with much opposition from other states that feared for insecurity worldwide. Also, the existence of different networks of jihadists imposed a challenge in consolidating the group to have a similar objective (Alireza n.p). Most of these networks have been dismantled by competition to control the Islamic population by different groups that want to be seen superior than others. In this view, the unity of purpose which would have consolidated the global ISIS team is never achieved and the anti-terror groups can triumph. Such mechanisms have worked in countries such as Syria, Israel, Argentina, Tunisia, Nigeria, and Morocco ((Stiefel 13).
Works Cited
Alireza, Doostdar. “How Not To Understand ISIS”. The University of Chicago. (2014). Web.
Graeme, Wood. ““What ISIS Really Wants” Revisited: Religion matters in jihadist violence, but how?.” The Atlantic. Web.
Stiefel, Eli. “ISIS and Reporting: A Conversation with Graeme Wood.” Fletcher Sec. Rev. 4 (2017): 99. Web.