ISIS working to reproduce itself

Shaimaa Yahia

The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is trying to prove that it is still present, after the killing of its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Terrorists affiliated to the group attacked an army post in northern Iraq on October 31, killing one recruit and injuring five others.

The attack took place in Tarmiyah, a town located 60 kilometers north of Iraqi capital Baghdad, according to the Iraqi army.

It said in a statement that the ISIS terrorists used light weapons and two explosive devices in the attack.

First attack

This is the first attack to be carried out by the terrorist organization after Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayeshi took over its leadership. ISIS conceded Baghdadi’s death in an audio on October 31. It said Baghdadi’s deputy, Abi Hassan al-Muhajir, was killed with him.

Lasting and expanding

ISIS will most likely use the ongoing protests in Iraq to make a comeback to the Iraqi scene. The organization was defeated in Iraq in 2017 with the loss of control over Mosul.

Iraqi demonstrators are calling for the resignation of Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdel Mahdi and the formation of an interim government. They also call for holding new elections and denounce Iranian interference in Iraqi affairs.

ISIS carried out a series of attacks after its defeat in Mosul in order to prove that it is still present.

On July 25, 2018, the organization staged attacks in several towns in the southern Syrian province of As-Suwayda. The attack left 150 people dead.

On October 24, 2018, ISIS staged attacks with the aim of recapturing the territories it lost in eastern Syria. The attacks left 40 members of Syrian Democratic Forces, widely known as QSD, dead. The same attack opened the door for the recapture by ISIS of the Syrian-Iraqi border.

Living on

Abdel Khabir Atta, a professor of political science at Asuit University, referred to support by foreign powers for terrorism in Iraq.

“This makes the return of ISIS to this country very possible,” Atta told The Reference.

He expected the organization to return to the Iraqi stage, but probably under a different name.

Atta expressed fears from the spread of the ISIS ideology throughout the Arab world.

“Ideas never die,” Atta said. “This is why ISIS terrorists must be returned to their countries or put in heavily-guarded jails.”