The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), also known as Daesh, is a transnational Sunni jihadist group that once controlled vast territories in Iraq and Syria. At its peak in 2015, ISIS declared itself a caliphate, claiming to represent all Muslims worldwide. However, its brutal tactics, including mass executions, enslavement, and destruction of cultural heritage, drew widespread condemnation.
Origins and Rise to Power
ISIS traces its roots to the aftermath of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq, which overthrew Saddam Hussein. Amid the ensuing chaos, al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) emerged as a key insurgent group resisting coalition forces and the new Iraqi government. AQI evolved into ISIS under the leadership of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, an Iraqi militant born in 1971. The group capitalized on sectarian tensions in Iraq and the Syrian Civil War to expand its influence.
By 2014, ISIS had seized major cities like Mosul, Tikrit, and Fallujah in Iraq, as well as Raqqa and Palmyra in Syria. Its rapid territorial gains were facilitated by exploiting weak governance, recruiting disenfranchised local tribes and former Baathist officials, and leveraging the incompetence of Iraqi security forces.
Military Decline
Despite its early successes, ISIS faced significant setbacks starting in 2015 due to coordinated international efforts. A U.S.-led coalition supported Kurdish forces in northern Syria and Iraqi security forces on the ground. Simultaneously, Russian support for the Syrian government added pressure on ISIS strongholds. Major defeats included the battles for Tikrit, Ramadi, Kobani, and Mosul. By 2019, ISIS had lost nearly all its territorial holdings.
Current Status
Although ISIS no longer controls significant territory, it remains a persistent threat. According to recent reports from 2024, ISIS has shifted to insurgent tactics such as bombings and ambushes, especially in the Syrian desert. The group claimed responsibility for 153 attacks in Iraq and Syria between January and June 2024 — more than double its activity in 2023 — indicating an attempt to regroup after years of diminished capacity.The U.S.-led coalition continues counterterrorism operations alongside Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) and Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). In the first half of 2024 alone, these efforts resulted in the deaths of 44 ISIS operatives and the capture of 166 others. Among those detained or killed were senior leaders responsible for external operations, recruitment, and weapons smuggling.
The enduring defeat of ISIS faces several challenges:
- Detention Facilities: Approximately 9,000 ISIS fighters remain detained in northeastern Syria under SDF custody. Additionally, over 43,000 individuals—mostly women and children—reside in camps like Al-Hol and Al-Roj. These facilities are breeding grounds for radicalization if not addressed through repatriation and rehabilitation programs.
- Exploitation of regional instability: Ongoing conflicts in the Middle East provide opportunities for ISIS to regain strength. U.S. officials have warned that a premature withdrawal of coalition forces could enable a resurgence similar to its rise after 2011.
