Terrorist Group - Case Study Example

TERRORIST GROUP Student’s name Code & Course Professor’s name University City Date Contents 1.0 Group profile 3 2.0 Introduction 3 3.0 General 4 3.1 Group Affiliations 4 3.2 Organization Structure 5 3.3 Organisational chart 6 3.4 Command and Control Structure 6 3.5 History and Development 7 4.0 Finance 8 4.1 Finance supply sources 8 4.2 External Finance Sources 9 4.3 Annual Budget 9 5.0 Operational Strategy 10 5.1 Military Capability and Strengths 10 5.2 Recruitment 11 5.3 Training and Weapons 11 6.0 Political ideology 12 6.1 Political Affiliations 12 6.2 Support Base 13 7.0 State Response 13 7.0 ISIS Failure through Violence 14 Terrorist Group ISIS 1.0 Group profile Name of Group: Islamic state of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) Symbol: Other Name/Alias: Islamic state, Islamic State of Iraq and Levant Group Type: Fourth Generation Area of Operation: Syria and Iraq( Raqqa). Leadership: Abu Bark al-Baghdadi Political Objectives: To create a broader unified Islamic government for the Muslim world ruled by Caliph. 2.0 Introduction Fourth generation warfare is a modern type of warfare that involves a violent non-state actor that attempts to implement and establish their government by fighting the state. The tactics applied involves an insurgent or guerilla to facilitate war against nation’s vulnerable points. The elements involved in fighting civilians, combatants state and military goals and tools are blurred in a way that it becomes difficult to identify the warring entities. ISIS deploys insurgents whom it has radicalised to attack the vulnerable points of the states of Iran, Syria and other world countries. They incorporate sophisticated technologies in conducting their terror activities to blur the boundaries between reality and imagination, for example manipulating beheading clips to instil fear and terrifying to the enemies. The presence of the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) maintains its turbulent effect in the Middle Eastern security and stability. As such, the Southeast Asia has witnessed the return of the extremist from the Syria and Iraq’s battlegrounds (Ahsarq Al Awsat, 2016). In a nutshell, Iraq’s battle against ISIS aimed at liberating the Saladin in 2015. The terrorist organisation had incorporated, for the first time, the 4th generation of ISIS suicide bombers, otherwise known as Ingham is. These represented a significant source of fear for the opponents. This group differs from other bombers, which use explosives belts and head towards their target, rather they are more loyal to groups and its principles. Hisham al-Hashemi, an expert group in armed affairs, explained to Ahsarq Al-Awsat that the suicide fighters are a special entity of ISIS, which pledges their allegiance to the ISIS (Ahsarq Al Awsat, 2016). Hashemi insists that the Inghimais are the main player and represent a significant force of terror in Syria. In accordance with the information accompanied by its expansion in areas of Iraq, it is clear that the organisation worked hard in developing its tools and at the same time announcing the caliphate. These tools including materials for bombing operations and weapons it gained from the Iraqi army in Mosul, as well as funds it received from the sales of oil wells from Syra and Iraq. 3.0 General 3.1 Group Affiliations ISIS is affiliated with other terrorist groups including Boko Haram who pledged its allegiance to the Islamic State in Mach 2015 and later changed its name to Islamic State West Africa Province is one major affiliate of ISIS (Karen et al., 2017). One of Egypt’s powerful militant groups, Sinai Province also pledged its allegiance with ISIS in November 2014, and it operates in Sinai Penisula with support from ISIS (Karen et al., 2017). Three Libyan armed Islamist groups including Tripoli Province (West), Barqa Province (East) and the Fezzan Province (South) also joined Islamic state since 2014 (Karen et al., 2017). Kurdish and Sunni Arab parties were accused by Iraqi Prime Minister for collaborating with ISIS during the capture of Mosul city and therefore considered as affiliates of Islamic State (Karen et al., 2017). 3.2 Organization Structure Fourth generation terror group must be decentralised, and an example is ISIS that is structured into various councils that are important in the coordination of warfare activities. Military Council headed by Abu Ahmad al ‘Alawani and consist of members up to three who supervise and plan for the military commanders and the real field operations, the caliph appoints them (Cole, 2015). i. The Consultative (Shura) Council headed by Abu Arkan Al Ameri and is composed of between 9-11 members appointed by Caliph Ibrahim (Cole, 2015). This council is involved in state supervision. ii. The Judiciary Authority tackles the judicial issues and also uses preaching and recruitment method to spread the message of an Islamic state. It is headed by Abu Mohammed al-Ani (Cole, 2015). iii. The Defense Security and Intelligence Council are important in the implementation of the campaign, orders, and judicial decisions. It also serves to secure the caliph, and it is headed by Abu Bakr al-Anbari. iv. The Islamic state Institution for Public Information which is the Islamic state spokesman is headed by Abu Al Athir Omru al-Abbassi (Cole, 2015). 3.3 Organisational chart 3.4 Command and Control Structure Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is the leader, and he gives a chain of command to various heads of councils. The councils are assigned with the responsibility for oil sales and also facilitate internal communications along with decisions to execute in the planning of battles and capture of enemies territories. Baghdadi appoints two deputies who supervise operations in Iraq and Syria and these are; Fadel Ahmad Abdullah Al-Hiyali and Abu Ali al-Anbari in charge of operations in Iraq and Syria respectively (Cole, 2015) The deputies supervises a seven-man 'cabinet' and each member of the cabinet report directly to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and provide advisory information on operational policy within the territory. The cabinet members include security advisor, head of prisoners, head of finances, head of internal messages and head of foreign fighters. In addition to its structure, twelve 'governors' in Syria and twelve 'governors' in Iraq are responsibility in ensuring that the diktat and will of Baghdadi are performed (Cole, 2015). The governors also appoint a team of 'councillors’ who manage finer details of daily life in the region. The governors manage the eight councils including financial, leadership, military, legal, assistance, security, intelligence and media. Governors also order the regional 'councils' concerning orders they receive from Baghdadi. The war (Shura) Council consist of a religious and well trained military expert who advice on reports and laws to the ISIS chief. They are religious, well trained and are experts in the military (Cole, 2015). 3.5 History and Development ISIS was termed to have taken root in Iraq from the time the US took control over Iraq in 2003. During the second Gulf war, Saddam Hussein’s regime was overthrown, the Iraq army was dismantled and the existing government structures were destroyed. This created security and governmental loopholes and the county’s delicate social fabric were immensely damaged. The Al Qaeda group in Iraq established in 2004 and became stronger after the American troops withdrew in 2001.This establishment of Al Qaeda and ISIS took place in four stages (Alaa al, 2014). The first stage was in 2004 and 2006 where a group known as Al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia was formed as a branch of Al-Qaeda and fought against the US and the Shi’ite population. The second stage (2006-2011) was marked by the establishment of Islamic State in Iraq (ISI) which protected several jihadi organisations although it waged guerilla warfare against the United States and its coalition. They were weakened after successful military moves made by the US. The third stage (2012-June, 2014) involved the strengthening of ISI, and later ISIS emerged as a result of US withdrawal from Iraq. The Civil war in Syria compelled ISI to establish a branch called Al-Nusra Front in Syria, but later the two separated creating a rift between ISI and Al-Qaeda contributing to the establishment of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). The last stage of its development occurred in June 2014 where it captured the city of Mosul, Iraq’s second-largest city. ISIS also set its capital city in Al-Raqqah, Eastern Syria. It, therefore, declared its leadership by Abu Bark al-Baghdadi as Islamic caliphate (Alaa al, 2014). 4.0 Finance 4.1 Finance supply sources ISIS utilises various economic sources to support its activities, as exhibited by 4GW groups. ISIS’ main finance supply source is the control of oil and gas reservoirs which are important reliable sources of revenue. ISIS, for example, captures oil firms and utilise the existing oil reserves and expertise as witnessed by The capture of Gbiebe Modular Oil Refinery in Syria (FATF, 2015).They control the oil field and conduct the onward sale at both local and regional markets. In addition, ISIS trade in crude oil for imported petroleum products to Iraq or Syria. A truck carrying 150 barrels, for example, attracts about $ 5000 in revenue, Bank looting and human trafficking is a major supply source for ISIS where they control bank branches in its operation areas in Iraq. They capture and own the state-owned banks and levy high withdrawal taxes. It is believed that ISIS had access up to half billion USD in cash from state-owned banks by 2014. It was actively involved in the capture of Mosul Central Bank and looted up to US$429 (Tobias, 2015). ISIS also obtains revenue from extorting farm products in Syria where they extort money from farmers by taking their barley and wheat as they also confiscate machinery. They subsequently rent them to the farmers at a cost; such a case was reported when ISIS group confiscated farmer’s tractors, wheat and barley (FATF, 2015). They also set prices for crop produce and take control of fields, as well as, the distribution of produce (FATF, 2015). 4.2 External Finance Sources Donations by Non-profit organisations provide ISIS with funds from wealthy private donors operating regionally. Individuals and groups from the US including Philippines-based Abu Sayyaf Group, an example of a non-profit organisation, have created stronger organisational links with ISIS and provide funds to the Islamic state via international financial system (FATF, 2015). Fundraising by use of modern communication networks where they have caused a lot of manipulations in social media to encourage donations as they conduct marketing campaigns for crowd funding companies. 4.3 Annual Budget As of 2015, ISIS released an annual budget of $2bn and $250m as surplus (Denver, 2014). This budget was aimed at widening its mandate and expansion in Syria and Iraq. With about 30,000 fighters, $15m of the budget is used on salaries, and a large chunk of budgetary allocation is channelled towards the purchase of weapons, though the exact amount is not quoted (Denver, 2014). Other benefits are also provided to the fighters where it was once reported that $ 50 were given to their wives and $ 24USD given per child. Highly skilled engineers and technicians earn about $1500 monthly. 5.0 Operational Strategy ISIS often creates an intimidating and horrifying image for itself on the regions it governs and also over the entire world. By the use of their media industry for example film production and communications, they can spread their operations. For example, ISIS released beheading videos when they attacked Shia army barracks south of the town of Tel Abth, about 50 miles south-west of Mosul, Iraq (Cole, 2015). Such messages showcase ISIS ruthlessness and brutal characteristic. The opposition, therefore, relocated to other safer places, and the regions are then easily captured by ISIS. In May 2015, Iraqi Army fled Al-Ramadi province which was later captured by ISIS. ISIS adopts the pre-emptive doctrine strategy where it does not allow any form of threat to develop that may be a great interference to their dominance. In this strategy, they are majorly attuned to destroying the enemy while capturing their territories. The group combines guerilla and conventional 4GW strategy as a unique military strategy- a successful strategy used to capture Mosul with under 400 fighters and are currently using conventional warfare to defend this captured city. 5.1 Military Capability and Strengths The Islamic state carries out its operations in small battle groups moving with commercial vehicles and armed with anti-tank weapons and machine guns. During the attack of nearby targets, they use mortar bombed fire together with snipers advancing the fighter’s entry. They employ extensive suicide attacks when targets move at lengthier distances. It was reported that ISIS fighters indiscriminately attacked civilian areas in eastern Mosul with suicide bombs (Kirk and Erick, 2014). Tentatively, the group uses such grounds to advance its forces. In crowded regions, they use fortifications, and the enemies get steered. Good tribal ties and prudent tactical retreats, on the other hand, enable ISIS to defend their power bases. The unusual military strategy incorporated with insurgent techniques. A number of its soldiers are aged below 30 and are recruited from nations with foreign fighters which provide ISIS with professional experience. Such strategic approach combined with tribal ties and improved local intelligence enables its dominance and hence its strength in key areas in Iraq. 5.2 Recruitment ISIS uses online recruitment where it is made secret, paying $10000 to its supporters for new members recruited. US Security Department terrorism expert reported to International Business Times that majority of ISIS recruiters use Twitter Accounts to field questions about joining the Islamic State and about 500 Westerners have been recruited using this criterion (Kevin, 2015). “Rescue Me,” a Lebanon-based NGO, reported that ISIS terrorists recruit those who are poor, they persuade them with money and supply the psychologically troubled individuals with drugs (FAFT, 2015). 5.3 Training and Weapons The fighters are trained in military frameworks in camps for several weeks before they join Islamic state. They are trained on expanding the Islamic faith through indoctrination. The training has impacted greatly on their operational capabilities. The major training camp in Syria is Raqqah, and in Iraq, they train in Mosul and Abu Kamal located on the Iraq-Syria border (Kirk and Erick, 2014). The group incorporates military training in school curricular. In addition, the fighters receive political, and Sharia orientation and they are divided into checkpoints, not frontlines (Denver, 2014). The recruits graduate and are supervised and in the case of any noncompliance; they can be expelled or punished. The main weapons used by ISIS include but not limited to, T-55 Tanks and T-62 tanks heavily armoured with riffles and machine guns. Armoured vehicles equipped with 14.5mm heavy machine guns are a part of the military artillery. Infantry fighting vehicles and 122mm 2S1 Gvozdika self-propelled Artillery which fires 122mm shells also are part of its major weapons. Others include Humvees, AK-47, 82mm B-10 Recoilless Rifle, M79 Osa Rocket Launcher, Grenade launchers, Multiple Rocket Launchers and anti-aircraft guns (Denver, 2014).(Cite ). 6.0 Political ideology ISIS had a political project after it established the state of Iraq with the aim of conquering the other parts of the world. This was aided to concentrate the insurgents’ energies. By 2011 when the US left Iraq, they were a small political actor and later came out stronger in 2012 (Kevin, 2015). Since 2014, the rise of Jihadi movement has attracted thousands of young Muslims around the world, and the Islamic states currently have harsh implication on Jihadi-Salafi ideology. The Islamic state, however, still controls the whole of Syria and Iraq, and they, therefore, expect their ideology to grow. The US often carry out air operations to drive out the ISIS insurgent though its Middle East partners particularly Libya and Yemen. which are ISIS safe havens (Karen et al., 2017). 6.1 Political Affiliations The Democratic Union Party (PYD) of Syria and Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) of Iraq are the major political Parties affiliated to ISIS. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Syria reported in October 2015 that ISIS, Syrian Intelligence Service and PYD participated in a suicide attack in Ankara where 100 people were killed. Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) was also involved in the planning of the attack. PKK use guerilla tactics from Iraq’s mountainous regions. Democratic Forces of Syria received support from the US government having being given 5000 fighters to pressure the ISIS stronghold (Karen et al., 2017). 6.2 Support Base Saddam Hussein’s disarmed troops who among them were experienced soldiers and officers had no place to go as well as the means of earning a living. Many of these, therefore, turned their attention by joining ISIS. This gave them employment, a sense of honour and a means to continue fighting the United States. Young recruits from Syria and Iran view ISIS as the first force that promises them a means of secure and dignified life. This termed as a path of living in pride as a Sunni Arab (Kevin, 2015). This is termed being more than religious identity. It involves culture, tribe, and territory. It also a job, since ISIS is in a position to pay these youths beyond their confines. 7.0 State Response ISIS is a non-state terrorist group attacking various states (a characteristic of 4GW), and that’s why states including U.S, France among other initiates airstrikes against ISIS. US have responded to ISIS grabbing of Mosul city of Iraq by bombing militant position to stop ISIS from conquering the Kurdish territory. President Obama ordered for humanitarian assistance and also airstrikes to protect civilians who migrated to mountains escaping from ISIS attacks. U.S has deployed 3000 troops to Iraq and has used more than one billion USD in launching airstrikes. Britain, France, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Jordan among other countries also has launched airstrikes in Syria and Iraq (Kirk and Erick, 2014). From August to March 2015, about 1700 airstrikes were launched against ISIS in Iraq, and 946 strikes in Syria by U.S led coalition. Kurdish ground troops also have eliminated ISIS out of Kobani town in Syria (Kirk and Erick, 2014). US airstrikes also responded by attacking an Islamic State training camp south-east of Mosul September 2014 (Kirk and Erick, 2014). The Syrian air force also targeted a "major" Islamic State training camp in Raqqa on 6th Sept 2014. Jordanian aircraft allegedly hit IS training camps in Syria on February 2015 (Tobias, 2015). 7.0 ISIS Failure through Violence In September 2016, an Islamic State agent stabbed nine people dead at a Minnesota mall just a few days after an ISIS suicide bomber killed 54 people at a wedding in Turkey and Paris attacks in France that killed 129 people.Their intention was to turn non-Muslim Europeans against Muslims both in Europe and elsewhere, legitimising the claim that there is a war between the West and Islam. Since they are Muslims, they safeguard their fellow Muslims (Citizen Warrior, 2015).These attacks are meant to create more violent events so that non-Muslims everywhere would feel insecure and live in constant fear of violent death and lose trust in their governments’ ability to protect them (Amir, 2015). The non-Muslims will eventually become exhausted from insecurity and adopt the Islamic law. However, ISIS has failed to achieve this since, after the Paris attack, France responded immediately by ISIS strongholds and also arrested 104 Jihadis, and at the same, they shut down the Orthodox mosques in France (Amir, 2015). ISIS on the other hand by June 2014 managed to capture the entire Mosul city with the help of Sunni tribe, one of the Iraq’s second largest city. ISIS, therefore, have been able to control some of the state’s operations, for example, the capture of Mosul central bank where they can access to almost half a billion USD (Tobias, 2015).ISIS also attacked administration units of the Shi’ite population inorder to undermine Iraqi regime control( Winter, 2014). ISIS succeeded in controlling Mosul International Airport, freed prisoners, took over military facilities. They also carried out mass slaughters of Iraqi civilians and Army personnel and released pictures of beheadings to cause panic and fear (Winter, 2014). ISIS achieved part of their goal by beheading non-Christians, vandalising churches in Mosul which in the long run made non-Muslims to convert to Muslims in order to be safe (Winter, 2014). Reference List Alaa al, L., 2014. “ISIS’ Fighting Doctrine: Sorting Fact from Fiction,” al-Akhbar, October 31, 2014, Retrieved from http://english.al-akhbar.com/node/22280 Amir, T.,2015. The jihadis master plan to break us. November 15, 2015 Cole, B., 2015.From Paper State to Caliphate: The Ideology of the Islamic State Analysis Paper No. 19 March 2015https://www.brookings.edu/../The Citizen Warrior, 2015. What Does ISIS Hope to Achieve With Random Violence?.www.citizenwarrior.com/2015/../what-.. Denver, N.,2014. “CIA Says ISIS Ranks May Have Tripled,” Time, September 12, 2014, Retrieved from http://time.com/3340662/cia-isis-isil. FATF, 2015. Financing of the terrorist organisation Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), FATF, Retrieved from www.fatf-gafi.org/topics/methodsandtrends/documents/financingofterrorist-organisation-isil.html Karen, L., Jason, F. and Jovi, J., 2017. Islamic State and Its Affiliates Retrieved from graphics.wsj.com/Islamic-state-and-its-. Kevin, S.,2015. “We Don’t Actually Know How Big ISIS Is – And Neither Does ISIS,” Overt Action, March 3, 2015, Retrieved from http://www.overtaction.org/2015/03/we-dontactually- know-how-big-isis-is-and-neither-does-isis. Kirk, S. and Eric, S., 2014.“Missiles of ISIS May Pose Peril for Aircrews in Iraq,” New York Times, October 26, 2014, http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/27/world/middleeast/missiles-of-isis-may-pose-peril-for-aircrews.html?_r=0 Tobias, F., 2015. “ISIS Pushes for Offensive Cyber Capability,” The Strategist, June 1, 2015, http://www.aspistrategist.org.au/isis-pushes-for-offensive-cyber-capability Mustafa, H., 2016. “Inghimasis”…Fourth Generation of ISIS’s Bombers”. Ahsarq Al Awsat Magazine. Retrieved from http://english.aawsat.com/hamzamustafa/features/inghimasisfourth-generation-isiss-bombers Winter, 2014. ISIS Military Achievements in Iraq and the Establishment of its Government Systems. www.crethiplethi.com/isis...achievemnts.. Read More

3.2 Organization Structure Fourth generation terror group must be decentralised, and an example is ISIS that is structured into various councils that are important in the coordination of warfare activities. Military Council headed by Abu Ahmad al ‘Alawani and consist of members up to three who supervise and plan for the military commanders and the real field operations, the caliph appoints them (Cole, 2015). i. The Consultative (Shura) Council headed by Abu Arkan Al Ameri and is composed of between 9-11 members appointed by Caliph Ibrahim (Cole, 2015).

This council is involved in state supervision. ii. The Judiciary Authority tackles the judicial issues and also uses preaching and recruitment method to spread the message of an Islamic state. It is headed by Abu Mohammed al-Ani (Cole, 2015). iii. The Defense Security and Intelligence Council are important in the implementation of the campaign, orders, and judicial decisions. It also serves to secure the caliph, and it is headed by Abu Bakr al-Anbari. iv. The Islamic state Institution for Public Information which is the Islamic state spokesman is headed by Abu Al Athir Omru al-Abbassi (Cole, 2015). 3.3 Organisational chart 3.

4 Command and Control Structure Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is the leader, and he gives a chain of command to various heads of councils. The councils are assigned with the responsibility for oil sales and also facilitate internal communications along with decisions to execute in the planning of battles and capture of enemies territories. Baghdadi appoints two deputies who supervise operations in Iraq and Syria and these are; Fadel Ahmad Abdullah Al-Hiyali and Abu Ali al-Anbari in charge of operations in Iraq and Syria respectively (Cole, 2015) The deputies supervises a seven-man 'cabinet' and each member of the cabinet report directly to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and provide advisory information on operational policy within the territory.

The cabinet members include security advisor, head of prisoners, head of finances, head of internal messages and head of foreign fighters. In addition to its structure, twelve 'governors' in Syria and twelve 'governors' in Iraq are responsibility in ensuring that the diktat and will of Baghdadi are performed (Cole, 2015). The governors also appoint a team of 'councillors’ who manage finer details of daily life in the region. The governors manage the eight councils including financial, leadership, military, legal, assistance, security, intelligence and media.

Governors also order the regional 'councils' concerning orders they receive from Baghdadi. The war (Shura) Council consist of a religious and well trained military expert who advice on reports and laws to the ISIS chief. They are religious, well trained and are experts in the military (Cole, 2015). 3.5 History and Development ISIS was termed to have taken root in Iraq from the time the US took control over Iraq in 2003. During the second Gulf war, Saddam Hussein’s regime was overthrown, the Iraq army was dismantled and the existing government structures were destroyed.

This created security and governmental loopholes and the county’s delicate social fabric were immensely damaged. The Al Qaeda group in Iraq established in 2004 and became stronger after the American troops withdrew in 2001.This establishment of Al Qaeda and ISIS took place in four stages (Alaa al, 2014). The first stage was in 2004 and 2006 where a group known as Al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia was formed as a branch of Al-Qaeda and fought against the US and the Shi’ite population. The second stage (2006-2011) was marked by the establishment of Islamic State in Iraq (ISI) which protected several jihadi organisations although it waged guerilla warfare against the United States and its coalition.

They were weakened after successful military moves made by the US. The third stage (2012-June, 2014) involved the strengthening of ISI, and later ISIS emerged as a result of US withdrawal from Iraq. The Civil war in Syria compelled ISI to establish a branch called Al-Nusra Front in Syria, but later the two separated creating a rift between ISI and Al-Qaeda contributing to the establishment of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS).

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