Victories and defeats of the Islamic State

Victories and defeats of the Islamic State



In recent months the Islamic State has been losing ground in Syria. Now try to offset losses with victories on other fronts, such as in Libya.



The threat is so great to be lifted up a wall. So far Iraqis have covered a distance of one hundred kilometers long, Baghdad will in future be fortified whole. In this way they hope residents how to protect themselves from the threat of the Islamic State.
Indeed the militants of the terrorist organization bloodied and again the city last week. The driver of a vehicle trapped with explosives took with him to the death of fifty people. A few days earlier, two people blown up on the market of a Shiite district of Baghdad. Together they killed seventy people. Across Iraq died in February 670 people from suicide attacks.
The effectiveness of the barrier is questionable. Terrorists can also find all the materials needed in the city markets. In Baghdad and its surroundings there are many Sunnis who support the Islamic State, says Saad Matlampi, chief of the security committee of Baghdad: "In Latif Town terrorism is spreading, because the residents are supporters of the Islamic State". While security forces are generally weak, as serving the opposition takes care to protect Sunnis. The latter feeling threatened by the Shia, who politically dominated the country since the fall of Saddam Hussein. From the perspective of the Islamic State exploits the concerns of Sunnis.
As explained expert on issues of the Middle East Stefan Rosina from the German Institute for International Studies, the Islamic State has been losing in recent months the ground in Syria and has lost cities, regions, sources and supply routes: "And this has led to a change of strategy. Now seek cooperation with other jihadist groups and carry out attacks in other countries. " In this way he wants to give the impression to fighters that remains strong and is constantly expanding.
Ruins after US raid in Libya
These losses the Islamic State seeks to compensate with the victories on other fronts. For example in Libya, where it succeeds rather with relative ease. For months the warring parties of the country -the Libya has two rival parliaments disagree creating government. Which has not yet been reached, despite intensive mediation efforts by the UN. The Islamic State takes advantage of this gap to expand its forces in the country.
The Islamic State while encouraging young people from the Maghreb countries who wish to join the ranks, not to go to Syria or Iraq but in Libya. There, French, British and American forces operate against the Islamic State, according to sources of the French newspaper Le Monde. The aim is not to engage in open war, but to prevent the expansion and dominance of the Islamic State in the country.
The fight against the Islamic State in Libya is important for another reason, Stefan Rosina explains. The jihadists want to give the impression that extend to other countries. "This succeed both in collaboration with other organizations. And secondly to extend their radius of action. For this purpose they carry out attacks in other Middle Eastern countries but also in Europe. "
The divide between Shiite and Sunni constantly grows
 Russian bomber from operation in Syria
Russian bomber from operation in Syria
At the same time the Islamic State and other jihadist organizations can hope to create a climate of sympathy and recruiting volunteers. This is a result of the dire economic situation of many countries in the region, according to the opinion of the Special Jane Kininmont from think tank in London Catham House. This situation reinforces the creation of identities based on religious doctrines and developing hostilities "Mostly this applies to Iraq after the US invasion in 2003 and Syria after the outbreak of civil war." So the gap between Shia and Sunni is continuously growing.
This could be dangerous for Europe, argues Stefan Rosina. In suicide attacks the Islamic State could incite hatred against Muslims in Europe and call Muslims to join the ranks.
The Russian aviation for months fighting the Islamic State. But the blows received were not strong enough to deter recruits. Now the Islamic State strengthens the forces in the struggle to win the hearts of sympathizers and of potential new fighters.