Their origins and resurgence ISIS origins begin with the group’s original name of Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS). This group seeks a Sunni Muslim Caliphate across the entire Middle East and is known for its brutal methods of killing. The Islamic State of Iraq (ISI) was established in 2003 in response to the American invasion of that country. Originally, this group was composed of a variety of different city factions such as the Mujahideen Shura Council, Al Qaeda in Iraq, Jaysh al Faatiheen, Jund al Sahaaba, inter alia. After a major power struggle with Al Qaeda factions in Syria, mostly due to their brutality and infighting with other Al Qaeda factions such as Jubhat al Nusra, Al Qaeda split with ISIS in February 2014. According to a statement released by Ayman al Zawihiri, ISIS was to disband in Syria and return to Iraq. In fact, Al-Zawihiri stated, “Al Qaeda announces it is not linked to the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, as it was not informed of its creation and did not accept it.”

Most of the financing of ISIS/ISIL seems to have originated in the Gulf Arab States of Saudi Arabia and Qatar. It seems, however, they hit a jackpot in Mosul by plundering millions of dollars worth of American equipment, and $400 million U.S.D. of loot from the Mosul Central Bank. It is now said that ISIS/ISIL is now the richest terrorist group on earth worth close to $2 billion United States Dollars.

The leader of this group is Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, a nom de guerre used to maintain a veil of mystery.  He does not even speak face to face with his own fighters. Al Baghdadi is known amongst ISIS (ISIL) as “The Invisible Sheikh”.

But, the question remains: Why now? With heavy losses in Syria, it seems as if this resurgence in Iraq is a well orchestrated plan for a new American military intervention in, not only Iraq,  but Syria as well. There also seems to be a plan designed by the Americans to draw Iran’s elite Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps into the fray. Could this be a ploy by an hegemonic U.S. to also “intervene” in Iran?

It is well known that the US and NATO have frequently used Al Qaeda factions as assets in conflicts with the prime example being Afghanistan. What is, also, well known is that the U.S. often uses proxy-allies covertly, such as Saudi Arabia and Qatar, to funnel arms and funds to militant groups when the U.S. deems a regime change necessary in the Levant. This use of Sunni groups ( and now the courting of Iran) may be a set-up for a larger sectarian conflict that will encompass the entire region. It seems the plan is to redraw national lines throughout the Levant. Will the people of Iraq come together and push out the radical elements, as the Syrians seem to be doing in Syria?  Or, will this be the spark to ignite the entire region in a tempest of fire?

Article contribution by our reader Andrea