By Hannah Fairfield, Tim Wallace and Derek Watkins
A central goal of the Islamic State is expansion. This week, the group, also known as ISIS or ISIL, took over key cities in Iraq and Syria. It aims to build a broad colonial empire across many countries. A year after announcing its expansion goals, it is operating or has cells in more than a dozen countries.
1 Controlling and Governing
ISIS has continued to expand in Iraq’s Anbar Province andoil-rich areas in Syria.
The group has also opened important fronts in Libya and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula.
Once in control, the Islamic State imposes strict Shariah law. But unlike some other jihadist groups, it seeks to actively govern, providing services like water, roads and a judicial system.
An ISIS-financed construction crew builds roads in Syria on May 19. ISIS PHOTOGRAPH, VIA AARON Y. ZELIN
2 Infiltrating Communities
Another tactic is to disrupt a community from within. The Islamic State infiltrates local groups, often using intimidation to influence community leaders. They also establish sleeper cells that emerge at critical moments. The invasion of Ramadi this week relied on local sleeper cells.
ISIS cells surfaced in Arsal, Lebanon, when local rebel groups rose up against the government. Analysts believe that the Islamic State is building networks in Saudi Arabiaand in the Kabylie region of Algeria in order to seed uprisings. In Yemen, an Islamic State cell added fuel to the escalating crisis there by carrying out bombings that killed 135 people in two mosques in March. The country is now in chaos.
3
Absorbing Other Groups
About three dozen jihadist groups across at least 18 nations have pledged support or allegiance to the Islamic State. Most are small, but they have networks in areas new to the militant group.
Western officials say that Libya has become a key militant training groundbecause jihadist groups in all three regions of the country have aligned with the Islamic State.
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