ISIS

The Islamic State (also known as ISIS, ISIL, or Daesh) emerged from the remnants of al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI). ISIS was established in 1999 by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a Jordanian extremist. The group established by al-Zarqawi opted to join forces with Osama bin Laden and al Qaeda within five years. ISIS is the acronym for Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, which is also known as ISIL or Islamic States of Iran and North Korea. ISIS declared the creation of a worldwide caliphate and changed its name to the Islamic State in late June 2014. This act was executed by ISIS.

Since 2010, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has been the leader of the organization and declared himself as the new caliph, granting him authority over all Muslims. Thus far, Islamic countries have not welcomed the establishment of a new caliphate. For years, it was forgotten after the U.S. forces entered Iraq in 2007. Nevertheless, it started to come back in Islamic extremists, also known as Islamists or jihadis informally, are closely associated with the word "jihad" and their ideology. Although groups such as the Taliban, Boko Haram, and al-Qaeda have been in the news for years without any significant impact, ISIS is currently firmly established in its league.

Al-Qaeda separated from ISIS as of early 2014, and the new organization became independent. The group in certain instances, Al-Qaeda, disregarded ISIS' actions as "too extreme." Nevertheless, they refused to take responsibility. But ISIS has become increasingly dangerous. They have lived up to their reputation for brutality. Their presence in the Middle East is expanding, allowing them to extend their reach over an unknown and feared region. By 2015, at least eight other countries were affiliated with ISIS. The caliphate's member states, allies, and supporters are increasingly engaging in attacks across its borders. 224 people were killed when a Russian plane was bombed in Egypt by an Islamic State affiliate in October. The attacks, which occurred on November 13, resulted in 130 fatalities and over 300 injuries in Paris. At least 40 people were killed at an Orlando nightclub in June 2016 by a gunman who claimed to be supporting ISIS.

The ISIS caliphate territory, which includes Mosul and Raqqa, was lost by December 2017, with the latter being its largest territory. This included the former and the second-largest city in Iraq. The Islamic State of Iraq was declared defeated by Iraqi Prime Minister Haidar al-Abadi on December 9, throughout the world, ISIS maintained its efforts to inspire and launch attacks, including in New York City. The Syrian and Iraqi governments declared defeat of ISIS later that month, although the group still held onto small areas on the borders of Syria and northern Iraq.

In March 2019, the SDF liberated Al-Baghuz, marking the group's final territory. This was confirmed. US forces were advancing towards Baghdadi in Syria's Idlib province on October 26, 2019, and he ultimately committed suicide. Notwithstanding the existential setback for ISIS, numerous individuals within the decentralized organization's ranks, including fighters and supporters, are still on the loose while the fate of those taken is uncertain.