The rise of ISIS, explained in 6 minutes

Summary

The rise of ISIS traces its origins back to the 1979 Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, where key figures like Osama bin Laden and Abu Musab Zarqawi first formed extremist groups. Following the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, Zarqawi’s group evolved into al-Qaeda in Iraq, later splintering into ISIS. Under Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, ISIS expanded across Iraq and Syria, aiming to revive the caliphate. Despite military losses and international backlash, including terror attacks abroad, ISIS persists as a resilient insurgency and terror group. Its story is one of radicalism, geopolitical turmoil, and a vision of global conquest through violence.

Takeaways

• 😀 The rise of ISIS can be traced back to the Soviet-Afghan War of the 1980s, where young Middle Eastern men, including Osama bin Laden and Abu Musab Zarqawi, joined the Afghan rebels.
• 😀 Bin Laden and Zarqawi, despite their differences, played pivotal roles in the formation of both al-Qaeda and ISIS.
• 😀 After the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan in 1989, bin Laden formed al-Qaeda, while Zarqawi attempted to form his own jihadist group.
• 😀 The 9/11 attacks by al-Qaeda led to the US invasion of Afghanistan, pushing bin Laden into Pakistan and Zarqawi into Iraq.
• 😀 The US invasion of Iraq in 2003, toppling Saddam Hussein and disbanding the Iraqi army, created conditions that allowed ISIS to rise by recruiting disillusioned Sunni soldiers.
• 😀 Zarqawi's group in Iraq became notorious for its brutal attacks, especially targeting Iraq's Shia population and sparking sectarian violence.
• 😀 In 2006, Zarqawi was killed by a US airstrike, and his group was largely defeated, but the instability in Iraq persisted.
• 😀 The Arab Spring of 2011 further destabilized the region, and in Syria, Assad's crackdown on protesters eventually led to a full-scale civil war.
• 😀 Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, leader of the Islamic State in Iraq, expanded the group into Syria in 2013, eventually forming ISIS.
• 😀 In 2014, ISIS declared a caliphate and quickly captured large territories in Iraq and Syria, aiming to revive an ancient Islamic caliphate.
• 😀 ISIS's rapid territorial expansion led to global terror attacks and widespread atrocities, including the genocide of Yazidis, but its overreach sparked military interventions, leading to significant territorial losses.
• 😀 Despite losing its territory, ISIS continues to exist as an insurgent and terror group, capable of launching violent attacks and maintaining its ideological influence.

Q & A

What were the origins of ISIS and how did it evolve?

ISIS originated from the chaos following the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979, where jihadists like Osama bin Laden and Abu Musab Zarqawi began their radicalization. Bin Laden formed al-Qaeda, while Zarqawi created a separate group, which later became ISIS after a series of events, including the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 and the Syrian Civil War in 2011.

How did the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan contribute to the rise of jihadist groups?

The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 sparked a jihadist movement, with fighters from the Middle East joining the Afghan rebels. Among these were Osama bin Laden and Abu Musab Zarqawi, whose extremist views were shaped during this conflict, setting the stage for the creation of al-Qaeda and later ISIS.

What role did Zarqawi play in the development of ISIS?

Zarqawi was a key figure in the development of ISIS. Initially leading a group in Iraq that was notorious for its brutal tactics, he formed alliances with al-Qaeda but eventually split off, creating a more radical group. His attacks on Shia Muslims and his ruthless approach helped lay the foundation for what would become ISIS.

How did the U.S. invasion of Iraq contribute to the rise of ISIS?

The U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 led to the collapse of Saddam Hussein’s regime and the disbanding of the Iraqi army, creating a power vacuum. This allowed Sunni insurgents, including former soldiers, to join extremist groups, including Zarqawi's faction, which became increasingly radicalized and later evolved into ISIS.

Why did Zarqawi's group become so influential in Iraq by 2004?

Zarqawi's group became influential due to its ruthless tactics, including the deliberate targeting of Shia Muslims, which ignited sectarian violence and escalated the Sunni-Shia civil war in Iraq. This made the group one of the most feared jihadist factions in the country.

What happened to Zarqawi and his group after his death in 2006?

After Zarqawi was killed in 2006, his group, al-Qaeda in Iraq, faced significant setbacks and was largely defeated. However, remnants of the group continued to operate in Iraq, eventually being revived under the leadership of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who would later declare the formation of ISIS.

What was the significance of the Arab Spring in the rise of ISIS?

The Arab Spring, which began in 2011, led to the outbreak of civil war in Syria, where Bashar al-Assad cracked down violently on protesters. In response, Assad released jihadists from prisons, which helped radicalize the opposition and created an environment conducive to the rise of groups like ISIS.

How did Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi transform the Islamic State?

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who led the remnants of Zarqawi’s group, capitalized on the chaos in Syria and Iraq to expand his group’s influence. In 2013, he declared the establishment of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), breaking away from al-Qaeda and initiating a campaign to revive the Caliphate.

What led to the split between al-Qaeda and ISIS?

The split between al-Qaeda and ISIS occurred after Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi asserted control over all al-Qaeda-allied forces in Syria and Iraq, which led al-Qaeda to formally exile him in 2014. This marked the beginning of a direct conflict between the two jihadist factions.

What were some of ISIS's significant military actions in 2014?

In 2014, ISIS launched a military-style invasion of Iraq, quickly capturing a third of the country and significant portions of Syria. The group's rapid expansion was fueled by the discontent of Sunni populations in Iraq and the weak response from the Iraqi army, which collapsed in the face of ISIS's onslaught.

How did ISIS justify its actions and what were its ultimate goals?

ISIS justified its actions by claiming to revive the ancient Caliphate, aiming to unite all Muslims under its rule. The group also believed its holy war would bring about the apocalypse as foretold in Islamic scripture, attracting many disillusioned individuals from the Middle East and Europe to join its cause.

How did ISIS's overreach lead to its eventual downfall?

ISIS's overreach began with its failed invasion of Kurdish territories in Iraq and Syria, followed by atrocities such as the genocide of Iraqi Yazidis and the execution of journalist James Foley. These actions provoked a military response from the U.S.-led coalition, leading to ISIS losing a significant portion of its territory.

What was the impact of ISIS's terror attacks on the world?

In response to its military setbacks, ISIS escalated its terror campaigns, conducting high-profile attacks in places like Paris, Beirut, and Kuwait. These attacks, often carried out by lone wolves inspired by ISIS propaganda, caused widespread fear and brought international attention to the group.

What is the current status of ISIS?

Although ISIS lost its territorial state, it has reverted to being an insurgency and a terror group. Despite being significantly weakened, it still poses a threat and remains active in various regions, capable of launching violent attacks.