The Islamic State of Iraq enters the Syrian Civil War and begins by declaring a merger with the Al-Nusra Front under the name Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham

The Islamic State of Iraq (ISI), known in Arabic as دولة العراق الإسلامية (Dawlat al-ʿIrāq al-ʾIslāmiyyah), emerged as a potent militant Salafist jihadist group within the tumultuous landscape of the Iraq War. It was also commonly referred to as al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI), or القاعدة في العراق (al-Qāʿidah fī al-ʿIrāq). The group's primary objective was to establish an Islamic state across the Sunni, Arab-majority regions of Iraq, an ambition that later extended into Syria during the Syrian Civil War.

The Genesis and Evolution of the Islamic State of Iraq

The roots of the Islamic State of Iraq can be traced back to Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad (JTJ), a group founded in Jordan in 1999 by the Jordanian national Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Al-Zarqawi served as the group's leader through several significant name changes until his death in June 2006. Following the 2003 invasion of Iraq by Western forces, which led to widespread instability and a power vacuum, Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad became a key participant in the Iraqi insurgency that raged from 2003 to 2011. A pivotal moment in the group's trajectory occurred on October 17, 2004, when al-Zarqawi publicly pledged allegiance to Osama bin Laden's formidable al-Qaeda network. This allegiance transformed the group, which subsequently became known as Tanzim Qaidat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn, or more simply, al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI). The journey continued in January 2006, as Tanzim, alongside five other Iraqi insurgent factions, coalesced to form the Mujahideen Shura Council. This council then further consolidated its power and influence on October 15, 2006, formally merging to establish the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI).

ISI's Period of Influence and Subsequent Decline

At its peak between 2006 and 2008, the Islamic State of Iraq wielded considerable power, establishing military units and strongholds in critical urban centers such as Mosul, and across key governorates including Baghdad, Al Anbar, and Diyala. During this period, the group even laid claim to Baqubah as its capital, signifying its aspirations for territorial governance. However, ISI's dominance began to wane dramatically following the 2007 troop surge by coalition forces. This intensified military pressure led to significant setbacks, including the killing of dozens of ISI leaders, severely diminishing the group's operational capabilities and territorial control.

A Succession of Leaders and the Transformation to ISIL

Despite its formal establishment, the new entity, the Islamic State of Iraq, continued to be widely referred to as al-Qaeda in Iraq. Following the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, a new leader, Abu-Hamzah al-Muhajir, was swiftly named. This was believed to be a pseudonym for Abu Ayyub al-Masri, an Egyptian militant based in Baghdad, as identified by the US military. The leadership saw further changes when both al-Masri and ISI leader Abu Omar al-Baghdadi were killed during a military operation on a safehouse on April 18, 2010. Abu Omar al-Baghdadi was then succeeded as the overall leader of ISI by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Meanwhile, Abu Suleiman al-Naser (also known as al-Nasser Lideen Illah Abu Suleiman) took over al-Masri's role on May 14, 2010, only to be killed sometime in 2011. After Suleiman's death, the position of "War Minister" was abolished, replaced by a Military Council. This council was notably composed of former regime military officers and operated under the leadership of Haji Bakr, whose birth name was Samir Abd Muhammad al-Khlifawi. A pivotal moment arrived on April 7, 2013, when Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi officially transformed the Islamic State of Iraq into the more expansive Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also widely known as ISIS or simply IS. This organization remains active today. Haji Bakr was killed in January 2014 and was succeeded as head of the ISIL Military Council by Abu Abdulrahman al-Bilawi. Tragically, al-Bilawi met his end on June 4, 2014, and was reportedly succeeded by Abu Mohannad al-Sweidawi. Reports from November 2014 suggested al-Sweidawi was killed in an Iraqi airstrike that also reportedly injured Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. The leadership continued to evolve, with The Daily Beast reporting that al-Sweidawi was succeeded by the senior ISIL figure Abu Ali al-Anbari. Al-Anbari, considered ISIL's second-in-command in Syria and a potential successor to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was killed on March 24, 2016. In Iraq, the second-in-command, Abu Muslim al-Turkmani, was killed on August 18, 2015, and subsequently succeeded by Abu Fatima al-Jaheishi as ISIL's leader in Iraq.

The Syrian Civil War: A Complex and Enduring Conflict

The ongoing Syrian Civil War, known in Arabic as الحرب الأهلية السورية (al-ḥarb al-ʾahlīyah as-sūrīyah), represents a multifaceted and devastating conflict that has profoundly reshaped the Middle East. It pits the Syrian Arab Republic, led by President Bashar al-Assad and supported by a network of domestic and foreign allies, against a diverse array of domestic and international forces. These opposition groups often oppose both the Syrian government and each other, creating an intricate web of alliances and rivalries. The unrest initially flared on March 15, 2011, as part of the broader "Arab Spring" protests that swept across the region, driven by widespread discontent with the Syrian government. What began as peaceful demonstrations calling for Assad's removal quickly escalated into an armed conflict after these protests were met with violent suppression.

Key Factions and International Involvement in the Syrian Conflict

Today, the war involves several prominent factions. These include the Syrian Armed Forces and its various domestic and international backers; a loose coalition of predominantly Sunni opposition rebel groups, such as the Free Syrian Army; powerful Salafi jihadist organizations like the al-Nusra Front and Tahrir al-Sham; the mixed Kurdish-Arab Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF); and of course, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). While the conflict reached its peak intensity around 2015, violence has since diminished, though the humanitarian and political crisis continues unabated.

A multitude of foreign countries have either directly intervened or provided substantial support to various factions, further complicating the conflict's dynamics. Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah have provided crucial military backing to the Syrian Arab Republic and its armed forces, with Russia initiating significant airstrikes and other military operations since September 2015. Conversely, the U.S.-led international coalition, established in 2014 with the explicit aim of countering ISIL, has primarily conducted airstrikes against ISIL targets, alongside some limited operations against government and pro-government positions. This coalition has also deployed special forces and artillery units to engage ISIL on the ground. Since 2015, the U.S. has provided material, financial, and logistical support to the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria and its armed wing, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Turkish forces have been actively engaged in the conflict since 2016, fighting against the SDF, ISIL, and occasionally the Syrian government. Turkey has also been a steadfast supporter of the Syrian opposition and currently occupies significant swathes of northwestern Syria, where it has been involved in considerable ground combat. Beyond Syria's borders, the fighting spilled over into Lebanon between 2011 and 2017, as both opponents and supporters of the Syrian government traveled to Lebanese soil to engage in skirmishes. During this period, ISIL and al-Nusra also clashed with the Lebanese Army. Furthermore, while officially maintaining neutrality, Israel has repeatedly exchanged border fire and conducted airstrikes against Hezbollah and Iranian forces stationed in southwestern Syria, viewing their presence as a direct threat to its security.

The Profound Human Cost and Ongoing Challenges

The Syrian Civil War has exacted an immense human toll, with numerous international organizations accusing virtually all sides involved—including the Ba'athist Syrian government, ISIL, various opposition rebel groups, Russia, Turkey, and the U.S.-led coalition—of severe human rights violations and massacres. The conflict has triggered one of the largest refugee crises in modern history, forcing millions to flee their homes, primarily seeking refuge in neighboring countries such as Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan. Despite a series of peace initiatives launched throughout the war, including the United Nations-led Geneva peace talks on Syria in March 2017, the fundamental issues remain unresolved, and intermittent fighting continues, leaving the future of Syria uncertain.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What was the primary goal of the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI)?
The primary goal of the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) was to establish an Islamic state in the Sunni, Arab-majority areas of Iraq, an objective that later expanded to include parts of Syria during the Syrian Civil War.
How did the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) originate?
ISI originated from Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad, a group founded by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi in Jordan in 1999. It evolved through various name changes and mergers, notably becoming al-Qaeda in Iraq after pledging allegiance to Osama bin Laden, and eventually forming the Islamic State of Iraq in 2006.
What is the relationship between ISI and ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant)?
The Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) was the direct predecessor of ISIL. On April 7, 2013, ISI leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi officially transformed ISI into the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also known as ISIS or IS, expanding its operational scope to include Syria.
When did the Syrian Civil War begin and what were its initial causes?
The Syrian Civil War began on March 15, 2011, as part of the wider Arab Spring protests. It was initially driven by widespread public discontent with the Syrian government, escalating into armed conflict after peaceful protests calling for President Bashar al-Assad's removal were violently suppressed.
Which international powers are involved in the Syrian Civil War?
Numerous international powers are involved, including Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah supporting the Syrian government; the U.S.-led international coalition supporting anti-ISIL efforts and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF); and Turkey, which supports Syrian opposition groups and has engaged various factions, including the SDF and ISIL.
What are some of the major consequences of the Syrian Civil War?
The major consequences include severe human rights violations and massacres attributed to nearly all warring parties, a massive refugee crisis with millions displaced to neighboring countries, and persistent political instability despite various peace initiatives.