The rebel group ISIS is becoming increasingly relevant as countries from around the world join the fight to dismantle them. From as far away as New Zealand, troops are being sent to manage the threat. But who are they and what kind of threat do they pose?
Born from a faction of Al Qaida, the group grew larger during the rebellion against Syria’s autocratic leader, Bashar Al Assad which started in 2012. Their faction claims to represent Sunni Muslims, who, despite being a majority in Syria and western Iraq are ruled by Shia Muslims in both countries. In June 2013, they announced the initiation of a “soldiers harvest” campaign aimed at intimidating and assassinating Iraqi security forces. The end goal was to establish control over territory. Within a year, ISIS was able to attack and occupy the cities of Raqqa in Syria and Mossul in Iraq.
The rebel faction, which was considered too radical even for Al Qaida, established a Caliphate in these parts of Iraq and Syria. In this context, a Caliphate is a form of Islamic government led by a person considered by Sunni Muslims to be a successor of the Prophet Mohammed and a political and spiritual authority. Sunni Muslims believe that the Caliph, currently Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, has supreme authority as Allah’s representative on Earth. To ISIS, his reign has greater legitimacy than any other form of governance.
The Western media’s portrayal of ISIS is arguably sensationalised and the reasons why ISIS has been supported by local populations is often left out of the discussion. The region is divided between multiple factions and ethnicities including the two main factions of Islam, Sunni and Shia and the Kurdish people. These three factions have competing interests and this has resulted in social, political and economic turmoil.
The power ISIS wields in the region has the potential to represent Sunni Muslims in countries where they have been under-represented politically. For those who follow the doctrine of Sunni Islam, ISIS has a strong religious and political legitimacy. Since establishing themselves in Iraq, ISIS has provided a pocket of stability and security for Sunni Muslims, a welcome respite from the previous upheaval brought about by the US-led invasion.
The flip side of ISIS gaining control is the imposition of Sharia law and the persecution of those who do not follow their religious beliefs. They have made drugs, cigarettes and alcohol illegal, have imposed veiling for women and enforced these rules quite strictly through policing. With a strong social media presence they have persuaded thousands of young people from around the world to join their ranks. They have destroyed valuable ancient books and artefacts for the sole reason that they were not from the Sunni Muslim tradition.
However, more significantly they have killed many people that they believe to be infidels. From the Yazidi tribes who have been forced to retreat to mountains in the North of Iraq, often without food or water, to foreign journalists and fighters who have experienced horrible deaths, the atrocities perpetrated and publicised ISIS are beyond count. Furthermore, ISIS have adopted a systematic approach to indoctrinating vulnerable youths through special training schools. This attempt to spread ISIS values (including violent extremism) has ramifications for coming generations.
Defining and understanding ISIS is not an easy task. The historical context, religious divides, varying ethnicities and external interventions in Iraq have created ISIS, a force that is unique and widespread. The extremist approach taken by ISIS is a threat to international peace and security. Furthermore, many millions of people are at risk as ISIS is intent on persecuting those who do not conform to their beliefs. The presence of ISIS is, and will continue to be, a major issue facing the international community.