Syria Conflict

Strong, weak “Islamic state”

For months the Russian army has fought the terrorist organization “Islamic state”. Now the military have pulled back. The jihadists have taken heavy losses. But they are not defeated yet.

The threat is so great that it should now be a wall. A good hundred kilometers of three-Meter-high Walls have drawn Iraqi workers is already high, at some point you should fence off the entire city. Thus, the hope, the inhabitants of which finally effective against the suicide attacks of the terrorist organization “Islamic state” (IS).

Their fighters had committed in the last weeks bloody attacks. At the beginning of March, the driver of the explosives-prepared Truck crack about 50 people with the death, almost as many were injured. Shortly before that, two of the bombers had detonated on the market in a Shiite district of Baghdad, your explosives. It was attended by over 70 people. In the whole of Iraq, about 670 people were killed in February alone through suicide attacks.

A Russian fighter jet stands on the fight against IS

The Use of the wall is controversial. You won’t bring much, because the terrorists can buy all the ingredients needed for explosive devices, on markets within the city, said Saad Matlabi, head of the security Committee of Baghdad provincial Council, the Internet magazine Al-Monitor. In Baghdad and the surrounding area there are many Sunnis who sympathized with the IS. “In Latifiya (a town South of Baghdad, Anm.d. Red.) terrorism thrives, because the inhabitants of the town sympathize with the IS.” The security forces were powerless, as a part of the political Opposition used in the country for the protection of the Sunnis. The Sunnis see the Shiites threatened to dominate the country since the fall of Saddam Hussein politically. The Concerns of the Sunnis is taking advantage of the IS.

The new violence strategy of the IS

For the strength of the IS the still speak only conditionally, says Stefan Rosiny, a middle East expert at the “German Institute of Global and Area Studies” (GIGA) in Hamburg. The IS is, especially in Syria in the past few months, always under more pressure and have lost several cities, territories, sources of income and an important supply routes. “This has led to the fact that he changed his non-violence strategy. He’s moved on to other jihadist militias join forces to perpetrate attacks in other countries.” In this way, the terrorist organization attempts its own fighters to give the impression that it was successful and could expand. “In the end, the IS currently but a rearguard action and losing territory,” said Rosiny in an interview with DW.

The loss tried the IS elsewhere to recoup. Currently, especially in Libya. There, he has it relatively easy. For months, the Libyan parties to the conflict wrestling – the country has two rival parliaments – the formation of a unity government. But despite more and more intense, the UN mediated negotiations. The IS vacuum uses this power and becoming more widespread in the country.

Intelligence operations in Libya

Young men from the Maghreb States who want to join him, and calls on the IS to go not to Syria or Iraq, but to Libya. The French newspaper “Le Monde” reported at the end of February, French, British and American special forces fighting the IS. The operations would be carried concealed. “The last thing we wanted would be an Intervention in Libya,” the newspaper quoted a on the anonymity of existing senior officials from the ranks of the country’s defence institutions. The aim is not to lead an open war, but to prevent the IS because in the country, and its Power to expand, more reported by “Le Monde”.

Street scene from the Libyan town of Sabratha, according to a U.S. air strike

The fight against the IS in Libya, but also for another reason is important, says Stefan Rosiny. The jihadists it go there, too, is a progressive stage at the end of Expansion. “On the one hand, by joining forces with other jihadist organisations. On the other hand, by extending its radius of action. To terrorist attacks in other middle Eastern countries, but also in Europe. That is, in a sense, an escape to the front. You want to give the impression that the IS still has clout everywhere and can strike.”

Denominational Rivalries

Nevertheless, the IS and other jihadist groups can continue to support and influx of Volunteers. The spent on the disastrous economic situation of many countries in the Region, says middle East expert Jane Kinninmont of the London Think Tank “Chatham House”. This promotes religiously-founded identities and rivalries. “Particularly strong were in Iraq after the US Invasion of 2003 and in Syria since the outbreak of the uprising in 2011 and the subsequent civil war.” Although used to the Shiites and the Sunnis traditionally a peaceful Coexistence. “But the current Trend is moving resolutely in the opposite direction.”

The long Arm of the IS – terrorist manhunt in the Belgian Molenbeek

The fear Stefan Rosiny of the GIGA Institute, could also be for Europe to be dangerous. By the attacks of the IS might be trying to stir up hatred of Muslims in Europe and to encourage the Muslims to return to the “Islamic state” to return. “The refugees, who had fled his rule to Europe, as Apostates and infidels insulted. In the meantime, he’s trying to lure you back time and again.”

The Russian air force had been fighting the IS for months. A few days ago, the military have pulled back. But the blows received by the IS, in the light of potential new recruits, only of limited effectiveness. Now it bulged the struggle for the soul of sympathizers and potential recruits.