0
Islamic State (ISIS and ISIL)
The Islamic State of Iraq or the Levant or Islamic State of Iraq and Syria is an extremist insurgent group. The group is made up of Sunni jihadists, and they are known for very violent tactics. They use kidnapping and beheading threats, and have published many videos of them carrying out the beheadings on their victims. It was estimated that in 2014, the group had between 20,000 to 30,000 fighters based in Iraq and Syria.
74 Questions
Syria is primarily engaged in a complex civil war that began in 2011, involving multiple factions, including the Assad government, various rebel groups, the Islamic State (ISIS), and Kurdish forces. Additionally, the conflict has drawn in foreign powers, with Russia and Iran supporting the Assad regime, while the U.S. and Turkey have backed different opposition groups and Kurdish forces. The situation remains fluid, with shifting alliances and ongoing violence across the country.
Who was the pharaoh to lead Egypt in the war against Syria and Phoenicia?
The pharaoh who led Egypt in the war against Syria and Phoenicia was Ramses II, also known as Ramses the Great. He reigned during the 19th Dynasty of the New Kingdom and is famous for his military campaigns, particularly the Battle of Kadesh against the Hittites, which significantly involved conflicts in the region. His reign was marked by extensive building projects and a focus on securing Egypt's borders against foreign threats.
How has war affected Damascus Syria?
The war in Syria has profoundly affected Damascus, leading to significant destruction, displacement, and a humanitarian crisis. Once a vibrant cultural and historical center, the city has seen extensive damage to its infrastructure, with many neighborhoods devastated by conflict. The population has been drastically reduced due to both displacement and casualties, resulting in a shift in demographics and social dynamics. Additionally, ongoing violence and economic challenges have hindered recovery and reconstruction efforts, leaving many residents in dire conditions.
How many attacks is isis responsible for?
ISIS has been responsible for thousands of attacks globally since its rise in the early 2010s. Estimates suggest that the group has claimed responsibility for over 1,000 attacks across various countries, resulting in tens of thousands of casualties. The exact number can vary based on the source and methodology used to track such incidents. Additionally, ISIS has conducted both large-scale assaults and smaller attacks, complicating precise counts.
ISIS, or the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, was established in April 2013. It emerged from the Islamic State of Iraq, which was formed in 2006, and gained prominence during the Syrian Civil War. The group declared itself a caliphate in June 2014 under the leadership of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.
Why did the syria civil war start?
The Syrian Civil War began in 2011 as a response to widespread discontent with the authoritarian regime of President Bashar al-Assad. Inspired by the Arab Spring movements in neighboring countries, peaceful protests erupted demanding political reform, greater freedoms, and the release of political prisoners. The government's violent crackdown on these protests escalated tensions, leading to a full-scale conflict as rebel groups formed to oppose Assad's rule, resulting in a protracted and complex civil war involving multiple factions and foreign interventions.
Why did the war in Syria start?
The war in Syria began in 2011 as part of the broader wave of protests known as the Arab Spring. It started with peaceful demonstrations against President Bashar al-Assad's regime, calling for political reforms and the release of political prisoners. The government's violent crackdown on these protests escalated tensions, leading to armed conflict between the regime and various opposition groups. Over time, the situation devolved into a complex multi-faceted civil war involving various domestic and international actors.
What professed goal do ISIL militants in Syria and Iraq have?
ISIL militants in Syria and Iraq profess the goal of establishing a caliphate governed by their interpretation of Islamic law. They seek to unite Muslims under their rule, promoting a radical ideology that aims to expand their territorial control and influence. This involves the use of violence and terror to impose their beliefs, eliminate opposition, and recruit followers. Ultimately, they aspire to create a society that reflects their extremist views on governance and religion.
Who are the leaders who are in Syria war?
The Syrian war involves several key leaders and factions. Bashar al-Assad, the President of Syria, leads the government forces, supported by allies such as Russia and Iran. On the opposing side, various rebel groups and factions, including the Syrian National Army and Kurdish forces, are prominent, with figures like Salim Idris and Mazloum Abdi representing different factions. Additionally, extremist groups like ISIS and the al-Nusra Front, while less influential now, have also played significant roles at various points in the conflict.
How does the Civil War in Syria today compare to the US Civil War in the 1860's?
The Syrian Civil War and the American Civil War share similarities in their roots in deep societal divisions, with issues of governance, identity, and rights at their core. Both conflicts involve various factions fighting for power and control, leading to significant humanitarian crises and widespread destruction. However, the Syrian conflict is marked by complex international involvement and a multi-faceted array of internal and external actors, whereas the U.S. Civil War was primarily a struggle between two factions within a single nation. Additionally, the technological advancements and global context surrounding these wars differ greatly, influencing the nature of warfare and its consequences.
Why did china disagree with Syria war?
China disagreed with the Syria war primarily due to its principle of non-interference in the internal affairs of sovereign nations. Beijing was concerned that foreign intervention could lead to further instability in the region and set a precedent for similar actions elsewhere. Additionally, China emphasized the importance of dialogue and political solutions over military action, advocating for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. This stance aligns with China's broader foreign policy approach of prioritizing stability and economic interests in the Middle East.
What are the countries affected in Syria war?
The Syrian war has primarily affected Syria itself, leading to a devastating humanitarian crisis. Neighboring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq have also been significantly impacted, hosting millions of Syrian refugees. Additionally, various international actors, including the United States, Russia, and Iran, have become involved, further complicating the conflict and its regional implications. The war has created geopolitical tensions that extend beyond the immediate vicinity of Syria, affecting global relations and security.
What countries are Syria at war with?
Syria is primarily involved in a complex civil war that began in 2011, with various factions fighting against the government led by President Bashar al-Assad. The conflict has drawn in multiple foreign actors, including Russia and Iran supporting the Syrian government, while the U.S. and Turkey have backed various opposition groups. Additionally, Syria has faced tensions with Israel over the Golan Heights and conflict with Kurdish forces in the northeast. However, it is not officially at war with any country in the traditional sense, as the situation is more characterized by internal and proxy conflicts.
The war in Syria began in 2011 as part of the broader Arab Spring movement, when peaceful protests against President Bashar al-Assad's regime were met with violent repression. The situation escalated into a full-scale civil war as various opposition groups emerged, fueled by grievances over political repression, corruption, and economic hardship. The conflict has been further complicated by the involvement of various external powers and the rise of extremist groups, leading to a multifaceted and prolonged humanitarian crisis.
What are the causes and effect of Syria civil war?
Well, honey, the causes of the Syria civil war are like a messy soap opera - you've got a power-hungry government, frustrated citizens, and meddling foreign powers all stirring the pot. The effects? Oh, just your typical cocktail of destruction, displacement, and despair - it's a real hot mess, let me tell you. Just hope they can clean up this drama soon and give those poor people a break.
What is the number of homes destroyed in Syria during the Syrian Civil War?
Much of Syria has become a disaster zone: In September, the opposition group Syrian Network for Human Rights estimated that more than 2.9 million homes, schools, mosques, churches and hospitals had been damaged or destroyed since the uprising began in March 2011. More than half a million are a complete loss.
How wealthy is the Islamic states?
The wealth of Islamic states varies significantly based on factors such as natural resources, economic diversification, and governance. Countries like Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have high levels of wealth due to abundant oil reserves and strategic investments. However, other Islamic states may have challenges with economic development and wealth distribution.
How are Arab Spring Syrian Civil War and ISIS Islamic State in Iraq and Syria connected?
The Arab Spring in Syria led to the Syrian Civil War as government crackdowns on unrest escalated into armed conflict. ISIS took advantage of the chaos in Syria to establish a presence, eventually expanding its control into Iraq as well. The group exploited sectarian tensions, power vacuums, and disenfranchisement to establish a self-proclaimed caliphate in parts of Iraq and Syria.
What is the War Against Islamic State?
Parties Involved In the current insurgencies you have five different parties all fighting for parcels of land in Syria and Iraq and the conflict bleeds over the border since there are Sunni Arabs and Kurds on both sides of the arbitrarily-drawn borders.
1. Government of Syria: (Only in Syria) Bashar al-Assad and the Government of Syria come from the Alawite minority which was historically discriminated against because their religion is a post-Islamic religion (even though Iran has "certified them" to be part of Twelver Shiite Islam). As a result, they do not want to cede power to the Sunni majority who will likely discriminate against them again as they had in the past. In contrast to most ethnic conflicts in the Middle East, many other Syrian minorities such as the Christians and Druze (another post-Islamic Religion) and the Shiite Muslims in Syria have thrown their weight behind Bashar al-Assad and the Alawites, preferring moderate Alawite discrimination to possible Islamic fundamentalism. They fear worse will come under Sunni-dominated rule, especially since while Assad was Secular, his opposition was Islamist and will likely rule harshly over non-Sunni religious groups.
Currently the Government of Syria controls most of western Syria.
2. Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL): (In Syria and Iraq) ISIL is an extremist Sunni Islamist organization which used to have links to al-Qaeda before al-Qaeda condemned them for their barbarity. They are fighting to bring the Sunni majority into power, especially in Sunni majority regions of both Syria and Iraq, and impose a more fundamentalist view on politics. They consider themselves to be fighting the injustices and violence of the current Assad regime and the inequalities of the US-supported Government of Iraq. ISIL is primarily supported and armed by Saudi Arabia, but the US and UK have indirectly given ISIL millions of dollars and equipment since US and UK military vehicles and assets left to the Government of Iraq have fallen into ISIL hands (especially with the fall of Mosul).
ISIL controls significant amounts of land in Syria and Iraq and conquered much of its Iraqi territory in June 2014.
3. Government of Iraq: Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is the leader of the Iraqi Government in Baghdad. His government is the only one of the three which has true recognition internationally and is seen as the legitimate leadership of Iraq. However, within Iraq, al-Maliki and his government are seen as Shiite sectarians who promote the interests of Shiite Arab Iraqis over those of Kurds and, especially, Sunni Arab Iraqis. The feeling of marginalization by Iraq's minorities is growing as al-Maliki has made the additional steps of inviting Iranian military assistance and allowing for the inclusion of Shiite militias as allies. The US is strongly considering assisting the Government of Iraq with airstrikes against ISIL. Kurds are nominally loyal to the Iraqi Government and have not militarily engaged with Iraqi national forces. The Iraqi Army is seen as unwilling to vigorously defend Iraq by both ISIL and the Kurds.
The Government of Iraq controls much of the center and southeast areas of Iraq.
4. Kurds and the Peshmerga (Kurds): The Kurds, a Sunni ethnic minority (as opposed to a religious minority), are primarily aligned with the Government of Iraq, but are overall more concerned with protecting their minority in northern Iraq and Syria. Iraqi Kurdistan is the name of their autonomous democratically-elected governing council and the Peshmerga is the name of the militias that fight on behalf of that authority. Peshmerga forces, unlike the Iraqi Army, are seen to be incredibly loyal and ISIL has avoided attacking positions held by the Peshmerga for this reason. Syrian Kurds have also organized as a de facto independent polity. While both groups of Kurds support the idea of Kurdish unity, there have been difficulties uniting all of the Kurds under one banner.
Iraqi Kurds control areas in northern Iraq and Syrian Kurds control areas in northern Syria.
5. Free Syrian Army: (Only in Syria) The Rebels of Syria split between those who were more Islamist in their outlook and joined with ISIL (above) and those who are more liberal in their outlook and are considered to be interested in democracy. The Free Syrian Army is composed of those more liberal rebels, but they are weaker in the overall struggle than both the Syrian Government and ISIL. They are fighting to bring the Sunni majority into power and consider themselves to be fighting the injustices and violence of the current Assad regime and the atrocities of his father, including the Hama Massacre of 1982 which may have claimed as many as 40,000 civilian lives. Considering that Sunnis are the majority of the country, they do not understand why the minority Alawites and their Druze, Christian, and Shiite allies should dictate policy.
The Free Syrian Army controls limited areas in Syria.
Foreign Supporters Already, numerous countries have pledged their armies or funds to support the various groups. Iran, and its paramilitary proxy Hezbollah, have backed both the Iraqi and Syrian Governments since they are Shiite-aligned. Saudi Arabia has thrown its weight behind ISIL since both advocate for Sunni Fundamentalism. Turkey and some Western countries have provided some minimal support to the Free Syrian Army.
It is suspected that Islamic State was originally funded by Saudi Arabia, several of the Gulf States, and Turkey. Of course, now all of these countries have been forced to withdraw that support because of the US pressure in leading its Islamic State bombing campaign. However, now, ISIL is basically self-funded. In 2014, ISIL captured billions of dollars in cash and equipment from the Iraqi Army (originally provided by the US) when they conquered Mosul and the surrounding areas. They also now control petroleum rich regions in the northern Iraq and are using the petroleum exports to bankroll any additional funds that they need. They are, by far, the most wealthy paramilitary/terrorist organization in the world.
There are, of course, conspiracy theories that state that Israel is supporting Islamic State that are grounded on the "evidence" that Israel is not attacking Islamic State and that Islamic State is not currently attacking Israel. By that logic, Israel is also funding Oman, Algeria, and Sudan, which is to say that without any coherent demonstration of Israeli monies going to Islamic State, this is just a conspiracy theory.
In terms of political support, ISIL is so toxic that practically no regime supports it.
Why does ISIS kill so many people in Syria?
Simply put, Islamic State believes that killing people for these various "infractions" (blasphemy, homosexuality, being a Non-Muslim, political disagreement, etc.) is the morally correct way to govern a society. They see our tolerance and openness to different beliefs and ideas as a form of moral depravity.
How can you help fight the Islamic state?
The primary strength that ISIL draws on is the political philosophy of Islamism. While Islam is a religion, but Islamism is a political theory that believes in implementing Islamic Law as the official governing law. Because of this fundamental difference, you can oppose Islamism without opposing Islam. It is much the same way that you can oppose Evangelical Christians trying to overrun the US Constitution and make America a "Christian Country" without opposing Christianity. In both cases, you are simply supporting continued Secularism. Muslims need to be convinced that Islamism is a failure, not just for Non-Muslims, but for Muslims as well.
Note that there are numerous human rights advocates in the Islamic World (often fighting a losing battle against the same Islamists in the Islamic World) that you can support, such as Maryam Namazie, Fariborz Pooya, Marieme Helie Lucas, Gita Sahgal, Bahram Soroush, Dilip Simeon, Chulani Kodikara, Faizun Zackariya, Yasmin Rehman, Taslima Nasrin, Salil Tripathi, Maha Kamal, Nahla Mahmoud, Lila Ghobady, Imam Taj Hargey, Kenan Malik, Karima Bennoune, Nira Yuval-Davis, Horia Mosadiq, Siba Shakib, and numerous others. You are supporting the repressed and downtrodden Muslims and others who are being crushed in their countries by demagogic Islamists, like ISIL.
If you want a military option, you should enlist with the Kurdish Peshmerga, which is the only army that has actively engaged with the Islamic State and accepts foreign volunteers.
Why is the United States of America at war with Isis?
The United States of America is a war with Isis because they can not agree on anything. They are also at war because Isis an firing at the US.
What is the situation of the Middle East with ISIL?
The situation in the Middle East with ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) is complex and fluid. While the group has lost significant territory and its self-declared caliphate has been dismantled, ISIL still poses a threat as it continues to carry out attacks and insurgency campaigns in Iraq and Syria. The group has also expanded its presence in other parts of the Middle East and Africa. Efforts to counter ISIL involve a combination of military operations, counter-terrorism measures, and addressing the underlying factors that contribute to its rise.
