Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is a Salafi jihadist militant group that emerged from al-Qaeda in Iraq and expanded during the Syrian civil war and the Iraq conflict.

The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) is a Salafi jihadist militant group that emerged from al-Qaeda in Iraq and expanded during the Syrian civil war and the Iraq conflict. It has also been known as ISIS, the Islamic State, and Daesh. The group has been designated a terrorist organisation by the United Nations and by multiple governments.

Origins

ISIL originated from al-Qaeda in Iraq, which was established in 2004 under Abu Mus'ab al-Zarqawi. It later became the Islamic State of Iraq and then expanded into Syria, adopting the ISIL name in 2013.

Ideology and goals

The group follows a Salafi jihadist ideology and claims legitimacy for a caliphate ruled by its interpretation of sharia. Its stated objective is to solidify and expand territorial control.

Territorial expansion

ISIL took advantage of instability in Iraq and Syria to seize and hold territory, becoming internationally prominent in 2014. It later lost most of its territorial holdings, though it remained an insurgent and transnational security threat.

Designations and naming

The organisation is known by multiple names, including ISIS, IS, and Daesh, reflecting differences in translation and political usage. It has been designated as a terrorist organisation by the United Nations and several national governments.