How ever you get your news today, chances are there will be some new development about the terrorist organization known as ISIS. ISIS, also known as ISIL, is the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria. Born from Al Qaeda in Iraq in January 2014, this terrorist organization has climbed the ladder of terrorist success, claiming the lives of thousands[1] and responsible for gruesome acts of violence including the video recording of Western citizen’s beheadings. Obviously with acts such as these added to their resume, the Western world is taking note, and now taking serious action to combat them.
But what makes them a terrorist organization vs. political ‘freedom fighters’?[2]
Although there is no exclusively agreed upon definition of exactly what a terrorist organization is, there are several characteristics that lend themselves to the scholarly definition.
1) Violent Attack – To first be labeled as a terrorist organization there must be violent acts perpetrated. In the case of ISIS, any of their actions ranging from genocide in Syria and Iraq, to the beheading of Western foreign aid workers and journalists, place them squarely in this category.
2) Deliberate Targeting of Civilians – To take this previous characteristic a step further, these violent actions must be directed towards non-military/political personnel.
3) Political Message/Objective – All terrorist organizations must have a clear political message or objective as their rational for their acts of violence. ISIS, born out of Al Qaeda, is striving for the creation of a solely Islamic state free of Western intervention, and instead focused upon religious fundamentalism. They are using this objective as a rationale for their terrorist activities, including the targeting of Muslims they deem “not devout enough” or “not extreme enough” in aiding the cause.[3]
4) Non-State Actor – Finally, to be considered a terrorist organization by scholarly definition, the attacks must be carried out by non-state actors, i.e. no government affiliation. Why is this important? Under international law, violent acts carried out by state actors against civilians are classified as war crimes. Given ISIS’s lack of political affiliation in Iraq, it is evident they meet all of the before-mentioned characteristics of a terrorist organization.
Now that we know Why ISIS can be classified as a terrorist organization, it is also important to know how they came to be, and how they have escalated so quickly.
ISIS is the new kid on the block, how are they already this popular?
Perhaps the most concerning issue of ISIS, is the speed in which they have been able to form their organization and perpetrate the large scale damage they have inflicted.
1) Territory – Already, ISIS has been able to seize and control more territory than Al Qaeda ever did.[4]
2) Ties to Al Qaeda – As mentioned earlier, ISIS was born out of a terrorist cell in Iraq. Given their roots to Al Qaeda, their political message and loose framework of organization was largely already in place prior to January 2014. Because of this, they have been able to fast-track their plans and give the world something to pay attention to.
3) Self-Funding/Self-Sufficient – ISIS is striving for the creation of an Islamic state. Already, they have claimed large amounts of territory in Syria and Iraq, and in doing so have implemented a government style ruling order. They collect taxes, to fund their mission and act in an organized military style when claiming territory.[5]
4) Recruiting Capabilities – ISIS has found itself more appealing to the recruitment of Western combatants than Al Qaeda ever has. Already, hundreds of citizens from more than 50 countries have gone to Iraq and Syria[6] to join ISIS in various capacities, further concerning Western powers.
What is being done to combat ISIS?
Clearly, ISIS is a force to be reckoned with, and the Western world is taking the fight against them very seriously. The United States has pledged to lead a coalition named, “Operation Inherent Resolve” meant to signal their willingness to “degrade and ultimately destroy the group.”[7] The United States has been involved militarily with ISIS in Iraq since August 8 2014[8], and has recently begun strategic air strikes. Canada has pledged their support for air-combat only, with the promise to re-evaluate in 6 months.[9] Although Canada’s involvement is limited for the time being, many other countries have pledged their support to the US for Operation Inherent Resolve.
Okay so there’s action, why should I be worried?
With so many countries signing on to aid in this coalition against ISIS, and ISIS’s continued barbaric behavior, there seems to be no signs of the conflict ending any time soon. Further, Western powers now fear the possibility of Western citizens, who have pledged their support to ISIS’s fight, re-entering their home countries with plans to launch terrorist attacks on home soil. Should this be the case in the future, it is uncertain how coalition partners will be able to fight both abroad, and at home.
[1] http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/11/isis-iraq-numbers_n_5659239.html
[2] Aden Dur-e-Aden October 16 2014 POL360 lecture
[3] http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2014/09/world/isis-explained/
[4] http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2014/09/world/isis-explained/
[5] http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2014/09/world/isis-explained/
[6] http://time.com/3270896/isis-iraq-syria-western-fighters/
[7] http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/u-s-finally-names-isis-campaign-operation-inherent-resolve-1.2799669
[8] http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/isis-mission-canadian-advance-team-leaves-for-kuwait-next-week-1.2796144
[9] http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/jordan-benadiba-/canada-war-isis_b_5983110.html