Daesh draws on psychological war after its defeat

Mahmoud Mohammay

The Islamic State, aka Daesh, has completely collapsed following its defeat in Syria and Iraq. The military forces of Daesh no longer exists, there are no military confrontations on the ground with the terrorists in Iraq and Syria.

Al-Azhar Observatory for Combating Extremism said in a study titled “Daesh: Field or Psychological and Media War” that the terrorist organization has applied other types of war, such as media and psychological methods.

A psychological war uses various methods to influence the opinions, feelings and behaviors of people to achieve objectives. Daesh has realized the significant role of the media banking on advanced technologies through the social media organs to promote its propaganda.

Despite its defeat in Syria and Iraq, Daesh is still using the social media in its psychological war on states and peoples. The terrorist organization considers the propaganda the last weapon and trump card for affirming its survival and recruiting new members.

In 2019, Daesh posted 15 videos, according to Al-Azhar Observatory’s study.

The study said Daesh has drawn on psychological war to spread fears as traditional war no longer exists. The study said confrontation with the terrorist organization should be intellectual via the social media and Internet platforms.