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Top 10 Odd Facts about ISIS
ISIS is not an Egyptian goddess. You may have heard it on the news, but how much do you know about it? ISIS might seem like it was made up in one night, but the latest Islamic militant group in the Middle East has a long history, and could spell major trouble for the Middle East & the United States.
10. Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is a Jihadist Group Active in Iraq and Syria
ISIS was born out of other jihadist and fundamentalist groups, especially the Iraqi branch of Al-Qaeda. It recognizes Iraq and Syria as sovereign states. The group of extremist Sunnis has indicated that it plans to expandinto other areas including Jordan, Cyprus, Israel, Palestine, and many partsof Turkey. ISIS is a well-organized terrorist and is moving quickly in the region, making it a large terrorist threat for war-torn Iraq and Syria.
9. It’s An Offspring of Al-Qaeda
US troops and its allies in Iraq defeated al Qaeda during the post-2006 “surge” — but it failed to destroy the terrorist organization. The US commander in Iraq, General Ray Odierno, spoke about the group in 2010 as down but “fundamentally the same.” In 2011, the group had a rebirth. ISIS successfully freed a number of prisoners held by the Iraqi government and slowly began rebuilding themselves from the ground up. ISIS divorced al-Qaeda in February 2014.
8. ISIS is Small, But Well Functional
This militia is terrorist group that is well trained and highly motivated. In terms of their numbers, they shouldn’t stand a chance against the Iraqi army, yet they’re mowing a path through some of Iraq’s most strategic military buildings. That’s because members of ISIS make up for a lack of numbers with adroit, fast-moving tactics that are challenging for the national Iraqi army to beat.
7. Iran May Help Out
Top Iranian general has already pledged a “certain and serious” response to Isis offensive as Iraqi government forces redouble efforts to seize back Saddam Hussein’s hometown Tikrit. Iranians also believe that Iraqis are capable of doing that job themselves. What happened to the President elect who Obama can work with? Maybe Israel and Canada were right all along, Iranians cannot be trusted no matter how democratically elected their presidents are.
6. ISIS Wants a Sunni Islamic Caliphate
Their goal since its founding has been consistent: a Sunni Islamic state. They want to see the complete failure of the government in Iraq. They want to establish a caliphate in Iraq. Even after ISIS split with al-Qaeda in February 2014 ISIS’ goal remained the same and was undeterrent in the video of James Foley’s execution.
5. Independent Funding Through Oil
Many militant groups have risen, and then fallen, by relying on foreign assistance. Not ISIS, which is a homegrown movement that has created its own miniature empire in imitation of the caliphate it hopes to form. The group is involved in oil exports, electricity sales, and the extortion from people in Iraq and Syria to fund its activities, ensuring that crackdowns on foreign bank accounts and wire transfers will leave it untouched.
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