All facets of the Islamic State
In a short time, the Islamic State jihadist organization turned into a powerful movement, subjugated many small terrorist groups, captured vast territories, built a rigid vertical of governance and acquired all signs of a quasi-state.
The message, which appeared on the Internet at the end of April of this year, that Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the IG, died from his wounds, still requires official confirmation. Rumors about his death now spreads around the world a lot. Here is an example - one of the Iranian radio stations announced and two Iraqi news agencies (Alghad Press and Al-Youm al-Tomen) confirmed that he had died in the field hospital of the Israeli army, located on the Golan Heights. You can write anything, one thing is clear - the intrigue remains to this day. The IG continues to influence many radical militarized jihadist organizations not only in Front and Central Asia, in North Africa, but throughout the world. The significance of the personality of al-Baghdadi in this connection cannot be underestimated.
PHENOMENON IG
Back in the middle of 2010, it was practically written off. In June, 2010, the US and Iraqi military conducted a joint raid in Tikrit.
After that, American General Raymond T. Odierno said at a press conference that the Islamic State terrorist organization had been defeated. IG leaders Abu Ayub al-Masri and Abu Omar al-Baghdadi were killed. During this raid, the organization lost control, not only the commanders were destroyed or captured, but also the functionaries responsible for supply, recruitment and financing.
Then a miracle happened, the "dead man" was resurrected. In the second half of 2010, the head of the IG, more precisely the IGI (“Islamic State of Iraq”), became one Ibrahim Auwad Ibrahim Ali al-Bardi. Becoming the head of a jihadist organization, he took another name - Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. And with his arrival, the IHI began to rise by leaps and bounds. The terrorist activity of this organization has noticeably intensified. The number of ISI combat groups began to increase, a new, powerful source of funding appeared. By the beginning of 2013, the “Islamic State” had grown so strong that it allowed itself not only acts of terrorism, but also open offensive actions against the army of Iraq. In April of the same year, al-Baghdadi announced the joint actions of the IGI and the Al-Nusra Front in Syria and the emergence of a new unified organization of IGIS ("The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria").
During 2013 and the following year, 2014 of ISIS or ISIL ("The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant") developed a successful offensive in both the Syrian and Iraqi theaters. In Syria, al-Baghdadi managed to attract to his side many fighters from the SSA (Free Syrian Army) and the Al-Nusra Front. The alliance with the latter was soon scandalously broken. To date, ISIL controls vast areas from the suburbs of Baghdad in the southeast (in Iraq) to the suburbs of Aleppo in the northwest and the suburbs of Damascus in the west (in Syria) with a population exceeding 6 million people. All Shah of Shat have been imposed on all the occupied lands. The capital of the IG was the Syrian city of Rakka.
"AL-QAIDA" AND "ISLAMIC STATE"
To understand the phenomenon of IG, you should carefully look at history origin of this organization. The movement itself originated in Iraq under the name “Jamaat al-Tahuidua and Jihad”, it was created and headed by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, who at one time established contact with Osama bin Laden. Western intelligence agencies called this organization "al-Qaeda" in Iraq "(AQI).
Thus, the source emerges - Al-Qaeda. Western intelligence agencies attribute copyright in its creation to the number one terrorist of the end of the past - the beginning of this century, Osama bin Laden. And they don’t care that bin Laden himself never called himself either the creator or the leader of a terrorist organization called Al Qaeda.
The history of the emergence of this structure has been repeatedly described in its publications by many Western media outlets, including the BBC, Forbes, Insider, IBC News. According to the testimony of Robert Cook (former secretary of the British Foreign Office), Al-Qaeda (translated from Arabic as “database”) was originally and was only a computer database created by the CIA, which kept lists of Islamic extremists, whose preparation and funding through colleagues from Saudi Arabia was engaged in the specified intelligence service from the United States. This activity was aimed at supporting the disparate movements of the Mujahideen who fought against the USSR forces in Afghanistan, which at one time spent over $ 3 billion from the US budget. In the future, the name Al-Qaeda became a brand of world terrorism based on the ideas of radical Islam and the same radical understanding of jihad, which is an enemy for the entire civilized world. But neither the program, nor the structure, nor the physically existing military force has ever stood behind this name. Yes, there were some people: Osama bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri, Naser Abdul Karim al-Vukhaeshi and others, but there was not and still is not the most central organization, but there is, as has been said, only a well-promoted virtual brand. Not only the special services of many countries of the world, but also the media, governments and private, well-known people took an active part in its promotion.
Various local Islamist militant organizations, such as Al-Jdamaa Al Salafiyahlid Daawahwal Kital (Salafi prayer and battle group), known as Al-Qaeda in the Maghreb countries, Ansar al-Sharia in Yemen or the Al Nusra Front in Syria or Harakat al-Shabaab al-Mujahidin in Somalia, they simply use the al-Qaeda brand as in a franchise-based business.
Mark Sageman, a senior CIA officer, in one of his interviews said the following: “There is no extensive organization. A mythical object was created, called “Al-Qaida” in our minds, but this is not the reality with which we are dealing ... ”.
It seems that just the brand no longer suits anyone and it is time to replace the virtual something with a very real “Islamic State”. Should I mention again that in May 2014 of the year it was announced that the relationship between Al Qaeda and the IG was severed? There is no longer any sense in continuing the farce, it seems that the formal transfer of the “baton” of leadership in “jihad” has taken place. However, these two projects may still work in parallel for some time.
“ISLAMIC STATE” (ARAB ACRONIM “DAYSH”) AS IT IS
The ideology of the IG is formed by Salafis. There is a certain program. The “Islamic State” has three main objectives: immediate, medium-term and maximum. The closest is to consolidate the already occupied territories and the seizure of the remaining lands of Syria and Iraq. The mid-term task of the IG is to establish the full power of its power in the territories of Syria and Iraq and in the neighboring countries where the Sunni Muslims live. It is possible that in the near future, the IG plans to expand into Saudi Arabia and Jordan. The maximum task for the "Islamic state" is world domination.
According to the CIA Director John O. Brennan, the IG is well armed and well funded. The core of the army of the Islamic State is staffed with disciplined, well-trained and battle-hardened fighters. Battle groups secretly penetrate everywhere. The IS represents a real threat not only for Syria and Iraq, but also for remote regions, including the United States and its allies.
The IG has already gone beyond what can be called a “terrorist organization”, and has acquired a quasi-state structure that is essentially religious. It combines religious and state institutions, including in the person of its head Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. All political decisions are made on the basis of Sharia law. The state religion is Sunni Islam, the Salafi movement. Throughout the territory controlled by the IG, Sharia courts operate, sex segregation is ensured, women are obliged to wear the veil. Religious police patrol the streets, watching Muslims implement Sharia law. Alcohol, tobacco, drugs are strictly prohibited.
Created a vertical of power. He heads the state of al-Baghdadi. He has two deputies: Abu Muslim al-Turkmani in Iraq and Abu Ali al-Anbarifor in Syria. Executive power is exercised by the cabinet of advisers (government) and 12 local governors (governors) in Iraq and Syria. The Cabinet of Advisors consists of committees on finance, administration, transportation, military affairs, legal affairs (including courts, police and sentencing agencies), foreign militants, security affairs, security, intelligence and propaganda. In the provinces, the relevant government structures have been created that have completely replaced the previously existing ones.
The militarized formations of the IG, according to the data for the beginning of 2015, account for over 200 thousand bayonets. This number includes combat brigades, Ansar support groups, Hisba security forces, police forces, police (militia, local self-defense units: Mukhabarat, Assas, Amniyat, Ayn al-Hass, etc. ), recruits undergoing combat training in training camps, and up to 22 thousand foreign fighters of almost 100 nationalities.
From the end of July 2013 to June 2014, the IG launched a large-scale partisan war in Iraq called “The Harvest of Soldiers”. Soldiers, law enforcement and security officials and their families everywhere were attacked. This operation was the preparation for the further offensive and the seizure of vast territories. According to al-Tamini, an Iraqi intelligence officer, the ISIS fighters are particularly effective in fighting in cities using partisan tactics. As a factor that enhances combat capability, Western military experts cite the presence of generals and officers of the army of Saddam Hussein in IS military formations. But we must not forget that the army of the executed Iraqi dictator lost all the wars she waged with an external opponent. The Iraqi officers have no experience in guerrilla warfare, so the success of the IG is not a direct consequence of the participation in the movement of officers of the army of Saddam. Most likely, military experts of non-Iraqi origin are involved in the planning of combat operations and the management of combat operations of the IS armed forces.
The armament of the army of the IG is the usual guerrilla set: basically it is a manual rifle weapon. Jihadists lack artillery and air defense systems; there is no question of the presence of the “Islamic State” in combat aviation, a few captured sides do not count. Here is a list of what IS combat teams are armed with and have at the present time: M16, M4, AB Styer (Austria), AKM (and analogues), RPK, M14, SVD, KSVK, M249, PK, DShKm; Anti-tank vehicles: M40, BGM71, RPG7, M79, ATGM systems: Bassoon, Red Arrow 8 (China); air defense systems: MANPADS (arrow 2, Stinger, FN6), ZU 23-2, ZSU 23-4; artillery: 130 mm M46, D30 guns, 155 mm M198 howitzers, Gvozdika (and other self-propelled guns), BM14, BM21 (Grad), Elbrus missile systems; Hammer-based armored vehicles - HMMWV, MRAP, M1117, M113, BMP1, Tanks: T55, T62, T72, M1 ("Abrams"); several Black Hook helicopters; aircraft: MiG-21, MiG-23 (also in small numbers).
Throughout the entire 2014 year, IS troops developed an offensive in both the Syrian and Iraqi theaters. The main weapon of jihadists was surprise, mobility and onslaught. Marches were made in small columns no more than an infantry platoon, maximum - companies. Before the battle, the forces were concentrated in the right place at the right time. The attacks were carried out with full effort and, as a rule, in the wee hours of the day or early in the morning. This tactic has its drawbacks, but in this case it has proven effective.
Distinctive features of the IG are also well-defined intelligence and flexibility in the choice of combat tactics. They combine strong concentrated strikes with constant multiple small, but effective attacks and sabotage and terrorist acts, exhausting the enemy.
IG leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. His location is carefully hidden. Reuters Photos
Now in some parts of the theater IG moves to defense. To this, jihadists instigated the need to regroup their forces and assets due to changes in the operational environment. There is also a purely political task - the newly formed Caliphate must demonstrate to the entire Sunni Muslim world community that it is able to defend the conquered. For an organization that so actively exploits mobility in combat, retaining and protecting captured territories is a real challenge. The IG hybrid army is currently building fortifications where the Kurds, the government army of Iraq or their opponents in the Syrian theater of war can counterattack. Bridges, dams, dams are subject to destruction if there is a need to create obstacles to the enemy’s advancement. An anti-tank defense system is being actively created, combining PT-tools and engineering barriers. Mine traps are massively used. In order to prevent the emergence of guerrilla formations of the enemy, the IG deliberately expels non-Sunni population from occupied territories. Where the population remains, they intimidate him and force him to cooperate with the authorities for defense purposes. Adequate propaganda is actively conducted using outdoor advertising, leaflets, and loudspeakers. In the front-line zone is set to security mode. The population is differentiated, someone is attracted to the service, someone is arrested (kidnapped), someone is being killed. The IG actively interacts with the Sunni Arab militia. The propaganda is skillfully conducted that incites the hatred of the Sunni Arabs to representatives of other religions, confessions and ethnic groups. The uprisings are brutally suppressed, as happened in the Zoya region (near the confluence of the Zab and Tigris rivers).
According to the Western special services, which leaked to the media, at present the Iraqi theater of operations is concentrating the shock grouping of its forces in the Tigris valley and auxiliary strike forces in the Euphrates valley. At the same time, offensive actions are activated in the Damascus area (in the Syrian theater of operations). And this is despite the fact that the supporting Baghdad coalition, using its full air supremacy, systematically inflicts airstrikes on its positions (which produced more 1000 from the middle of the year to the present). Jihadists respond to coalition airstrikes with numerous sabotage and terrorist acts.
IG FINANCING
The IG is now in the hands of about 40% of Syria: it is the province of Rakka (with a population of about 944 thousand); Province Dayar al-Zaur (with a population of 746,5 thousand, excluding urban residents); Shaddadi, Markada, Al-Arish districts of Hasaka province (with a population of 90 thousand); Dzharabulus and Manbidzh districts of Aleppo (467 thousand). In total in Syria, under the rule of the IG, there are over 2,2 million people.
In Iraq, the IG owns up to 25% of the country's territory, almost all areas where Sunnis live mostly: Mosul, Hamdaniya, Tal Afar, Al-Hadar and Baaj Ninawa (with a population of up to 1 484 829 people); Al-Dibs, Dacuk and Hawija areas in Kirkuk (0,5 million inhabitants); Al Qaim, Annah, Heath and Fallujah and Anbar districts (about 1,6 million inhabitants); Al-Sharkat, Tikrit, Daur district in Salahaddin (367 244 people). Over 4,6 million in total.
The costs of the IG recently increased significantly. Currently, only about 5% of financing is donations from individuals, mainly citizens of the Gulf countries, mainly from Saudi Arabia and Qatar. About 20% of the income give the ransom of the hostages. About 2 billion US dollars were seized by the IG in the banks of Mosul and other cities. 11 January 2014, the IG announced that in their hands are the treasures that belonged to the Umayyad Caliphate (VII century). From 1 to 2,5 million dollars. IG receives daily from the sale of oil (50 – 60 thousand barrels per day), which are transited via oil pipelines to Turkey and through the territories controlled by the government of Bashar al-Assad. Profitable is also the sale of electricity produced at power plants in the north of Syria, which is now owned by the IG, the main buyer is the Syrian government. A good profit comes from the sale of antiques to collectors around the world, mainly to the West. The fact that the Islamists demonstrate to the camera as the destruction of monuments of ancient culture is only a drop in the ocean. Another source of income is the collection of taxes from the population and enterprises in the territories under their control. The “infidels” living on the “lands of the Caliphate” are subject to an additional tax - “jizya”, as payment for the right to life.
SPONSORS OF IG
Sheikh Bandar bin Sultan, the former head of Saudi intelligence, has repeatedly claimed that Saudi Arabia plays an important role in supporting anti-Shiite jihad in Iran and Syria. Speaking about the rapid development of the power of the IG, bin Sultan said: "These things do not happen spontaneously."
The government of Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries are concerned about the strengthening of Shiites in the region, improving relations between Iran and the United States and coming to power in Iraq after the fall of the regime of Saddam Hussein of the Shiite government. Naturally, these states are taking decisive steps to weaken the positions of Shiites. The support of the Sunni jihadist organizations, about which the Prime Minister of Iraq al-Maliki constantly reports to the world community, is caused by these considerations.
In 2012 – 2013, money flows to Iraq, and then to Syria to support IS from abroad. Individuals from the Gulf countries (mainly from Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia) sent bags full of cash through Turkey, the addressee was al-Baghdadi.
By 2014, under pressure from the United States (according to Western media reports), the governments of the Gulf countries stopped open contacts with the IG, but financial support from individuals is still ongoing. According to Western media, Turkey is also a sponsor of the IG. Its goal is to strengthen its influence in the region.
Tehran openly accuses the United States, Britain and Israel of supporting ISIS. At the same time, it is indicated that the Iranian intelligence has information about the landings of the US military on airfields controlled by the “Islamic State”.
TRANSFORMATION OF IG TO HALIFAT
29 June 2014, the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, in the territory controlled by the IG, the Caliphate was proclaimed. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi accordingly became Caliph under the name Ibrahim. He immediately called on all Sunnis around the world to swear allegiance to him. It was not for nothing that the new caliph adopted the name Abu Bakr. The fact is that the same name belonged to the first caliph, who was elected in 632 year after the death of the Prophet Muhammad.
In early June 2014, the genealogy of the leader of the IG was officially published (the reliability of which is doubtful). The new caliph was declared a descendant and heir of the founder of Islam, the Prophet Mohammed. In order to increase the legitimacy of Abu Bakr al-Baghdad, al-Quraish was added to his name (according to the Sunni laws, only a native of the Quraysh tribe, to whom the prophet Muhammad himself belonged, could be elected Caliph).
WHAT IS MORE KNOWN ABOUT NEW HALIFE
Born al-Baghdadi in Samarra in 1971 year, in a poor family, in the poor area of Al-Jibriya, where representatives of the tribes of Albu Badri and Albu Baz (of course, he is not Quraysh) live. His two uncles were security officers under the regime of Saddam Hussein.
In childhood and adolescence, he was a meek, studied at a local school. He was calm, taciturn, was fond of football. In 18, he moved to Baghdad to settle in the Adham district to continue his studies. What kind of education he received is not known for certain. After the US invasion of Iraq, al-Baghdadi joined the terrorist organization Jamaat Jaish Ahl al-Sunnah Wal Jamaa.
In 2004 or 2005, he was arrested in Fallujah by US intelligence agents, released at the end of 2009. He was detained in the Bukka camp, guarded by the US military. Iraqi experts call this camp a university of terrorism, there many of the former members of the Ba'ath Party (the ruling party in Iraq, during the time of Saddam Hussein) converted to Islam, jihadists made contacts and exchanged information.
After liberation, al-Baghdadi joined the Islamic State jihadist organization. By 2010, he became its leader. He has two wives, which is normal for a Muslim. He wears a "Rolex", and this is for the faithful indecent. Al-Baghdadi is hidden, does not allow himself to take pictures or shoot on video. His location is carefully hidden.
WHAT ALREADY CHANGES IG WITH ITS EXISTENCE IN WORLD ORDER
The Caliphate is romanticized by the ideologists of the IG, its revival is associated with the era when the Muslim empire was in its greatest heyday and power. Currently, they have sworn allegiance to a new caliph around 60 jihadist organizations from 30 countries of the world. In the now existing capital of the Caliphate, the city of Ar-Raka, the creation of new provinces (vilayats) was announced. Each of the so-called Vilayats is, in essence, a militant formation, having combat experience and capable of deploying actions in a consolidated manner with other components of the IG. And this is a direct military threat to many countries on three continents.
In Libya, in October 2014, the Shura (Council of Islamic Youth) and other paramilitary groups proclaimed the formation of the province of Caliphate - Kirinaika. Around 800 the fighters swore allegiance to the caliph. These militants are most active in the eastern large population centers of Derna, Benghazi, in January 2015, they took control of the eastern lands of the province of Shabha. In Sinai 10 on November 2014, many members of the Ansar Bayt al-MacDi group (from 1000 to 2000 fighters) swore allegiance to al-Baghdadi and proclaimed the Sinai Caliphate. The militants of this group also have supporters in Gaza, who call themselves the “Islamic State” in Gaza. ”
In Algeria, Jund al-Hilafah members announced their alliance with the IG in September 2014. In November 2014 th Pakistani jihadist organizations “Jundullah”, “Tehriik-e-Hilafat”, and “Jamaatul Ahrar” swore allegiance to the Caliphate. But 12 March 2015, Jamaatul Ahrar left the IG, another organization took its place - Tehrik and the Taliban.
January 29 The 2015 group of years, led by Hafiz Said Khan and Abdul Rauf, pledged al-Baghdadi allegiance. Khan was proclaimed Wali (ruler) of the province (province) of Khorasan, Rauf became his deputy. In theory, this province includes Pakistan, Afghanistan and some neighboring lands. Abdul Rauf was killed on February 9 on 2015 during a NATO air strike, on March 18, the Afghan army killed Hafiz Validi.
13 March 2015 members of the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan vowed to be loyal to Caliph Ibrahim. Almost all the field commanders of the "Caucasian Emirate" declared themselves subjects of the "new caliph." In February, 2015, some members of Ansar al-Sharia (Yemen) joined the IG, their number is estimated at several hundred. 7 March 2015 of the Year “Boko Haram” declared its loyalty to the IG and announced the creation of a province (wilayat) in Nigeria, Niger, Chad and Cameroon. The Jordanian youth, jihadist movement "Sons of Appeal Tawhid and Jihad" also declared its loyalty to the IG. In the Philippines, the leader of the Islamist group "Abu Sayyaf" - Isnilon Totoni Hapilon announced the creation of a province in his country and loyalty to the Caliph. Al-Baghdadi, the Lebanese Free Sunnis Brigade Lebanese organization, swore allegiance. The leader of the Indonesian terrorist organization "Ashorut Tauhid" - Abu Bakar Bashir declared loyalty to the Caliphate.
At the end of January 2015, it became known that the militants of the “Islamic State” entered the EU under the guise of civilians as refugees from the areas occupied by the IG. According to the IG functionaries, at least 4 thousand fighters are now in Western Europe and are ready to begin active hostilities. According to experts, this figure is too high, but the danger of activating the Islamists in Western countries is high.
“The East is a delicate matter” (not only to act here, but also to speak with caution)
At the moment, the situation in the Middle East is developing in one of the worst possible scenarios. IG gains strength by playing on the contradictions that have existed in the region since ancient times. At some time they were in a state of relative balance, but recently they have dangerously escalated. We are talking about the contradictions between the elites of the Sunnis and Shiites. Smaller conflicts, which always existed between Muslims and “infidels,” which, however, have no special influence on the situation in the region, are interspersed with this struggle. The exception is the conflict of the Muslim world and the State of Israel, which is global in nature.
IG occupies a strategically convenient, central position in the Middle East, which facilitates the leadership of the wilayas in Central Asia, Southeast Europe, and North Africa.
The West, interfering in the affairs of the East, often does not calculate all the possible consequences. That the resulting tangle of contradictions would lead to such frightening results as the emergence of the IG was clear a long time ago, as they say, it was only a matter of time. And now it is only a matter of time - the beginning of the expansion of the IG far beyond the borders of the now occupied territories. Immediately make a reservation - we are not talking about the invincibility of the Caliphate, in fact it is very vulnerable. First, Caliph al-Baghdadi, to put it mildly, is illegitimate, as many Sunni theologians are now openly talking about. Secondly, the weakness of the theocratic states is the strict dependence of their integrity and even existence on the ruler’s personality. Sometimes it happens that after the death of the first person the state disintegrates. According to Western media reports, al-Baghdadi was seriously injured as a result of one of the coalition air strikes and died on 24 on April of this year. The information has not yet received a reliable confirmation. The new leader of the IG (again, according to the Western press) was one Abdurrahman Mustafa al-Sheikhlar. He is currently known under the pseudonym Abu Alya al-Afri. Like al-Baghdadi, al-Afri was once arrested by the Americans and spent some time in their custody, that is, a worthy candidate, with whom the policy of the Islamic State is unlikely to change. But everything will depend on how the new caliph will be perceived by its subjects (the leaders of jihadist groups who had previously sworn allegiance to al-Baghdadi) in the Middle East and in remote provinces (provinces).
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