English
By Dimitra Thodi, Undergraduate student of International Relations at Panteion University
The theme that is currently on the agenda of both European and non-European countries is the possibility of terrorism’s outspread. On the occasion of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, perpetrated by ISIS or ‘Islamic State’, it would be quite beneficial to point out the origins, the targets, the actions and the correlation of ISIS with its “progenitor” Al Qaeda.
First of all, the Islamic State, initially known as ISIS, is a terrorist organization consisted of members who espouse Jihad, headquartered in Iraq and Syria. Established during the war of Iraq, it was associated with Al Qaeda. Formally introduced in April 2013, it’s essentially an offshoot of Al Qaeda in Iraq (even though Al Qaeda subsequently renounced it). Moreover, ISIS emerged from the ideology of the Muslim Brotherhood, the first Islamist group worldwide dating back to the late 1920s in Egypt. The purge of Islamic society and the creation of a new caliphate [1], totally dissimilar to the previous ones, are of primary importance to ISIS. In 2015, the Taliban swore allegiance to the Islamic State and beheaded a Pakistan soldier, held captive, as an indication of their loyalty. A notable fact is that ISIS has destroyed ancient monuments, built between 1200 BC and 600 BC. Jihadists aim to propagate their ideology and their religious beliefs through ‘sacred’ wars.
Shortly before, ISIS unleashed threats against the USA. Specifically, they captured and executed several American citizens. This scenario hasn’t convinced perfectly the public opinion, contrariwise, there seems to be an obscure reality. In other words, there is a widespread suspicion that America may have collaborated with ISIS.
Furthermore ISIS went on menacing European capital cities such as Paris, Rome and London. Particularly, on the 13th of November 2015, Jihadists stroke Paris with multiple terrorist attacks causing the death of 130 innocent civilians most of them young people. In the immediate aftermath of the terrorist attacks the police forces took the lead and the French President François Hollande, declared the country in a state of emergency and the borders were closed. Jihadists emphasized that the attacks were planned to show that France will remain a top target as it continues its policies and these were a response to insults against the Prophet of Islam [1] and air raids in territories controlled by the Islamic State. ISIS also encourages Muslims, who cannot travel to Syria and spread jihad, to attack France and other ‘infidel’ nations. ISIS behaviour has raised various reactions around the world. The so called US led coalition and Russia have acted against the Islamic State. However, the discrepancies between them, made things much harder since they were disrupted and consequently, there are two armed conflicts so far. At this point many analysts argue that the Third World War has already begun, whereas others state that it’s about one more conflict conducted with the use of proxies.
However, it’s not the first time that terrorism came to the front. Al Qaeda (<< The Base>>) came into light during the murderous attacks against the USA on 9/11. It’s a terrorist group that threatens the western culture and values, a non state actor which funds and provides resources to terrorist groups with similar ideology. There has been a timeless controversy concerning this organization since Al Qaeda, has changed considerably after the US invasion in Afghanistan in October 2001. In fact, Al Qaeda is a global network focusing on fields relevant to globalization. Besides, modern Islamist violence aims at the acquisition of political power as far as a nation’s social, economic, political and religious remodelling (according to the Sharia’s law) are concerned.
The most known terrorist attacks of this particular organization are those of September 11th, 2001 in USA, of March 11th, 2004 in Madrid and of July 7th, 2005 in London. In August 2006, a terrorist offence similar to September 11th was averted at the last minute, as terrorists were preparing to board planes that would take off from Britain to USA, in order to blow up in flight and crash them into buildings. Al Qaeda is also responsible for instigating secretarian attacks among Muslims including the Yazidi community bombings, the Sadr City bombings, the Ashura massacre and the April 2007 Baghdad bombings.
Both organizations are inspired by jihadist ideology but there are differences that shouldn’t be ignored. Al Qaeda with its deceased leader, Osama bin Laden, had the vision of creating an elite fighters’ core and gathering young jihadists, fighting against regimes in their countries, under the ‘Prophet’s’ banner. Furthermore, they wanted to overturn the Middle East’s regimes and replace them with Islamic states ruled according to the Sharia. However, bin Laden’s death and his succession by Ayman al- Zawahiri led to the weakening of the organization. Al Qaeda is presented as a «militant organization», with specialized, elite fighters and “brains”, specializing in covert operations. ISIS aspires to create a state and dominate, using various tactics, whereas Al Qaeda used to perpetrate terrorist attacks worldwide with little interest in acquiring territory. Finally, their sensation is different. ISIS is characterized by “success” so far, whereas Al Qaeda is in decline.
Clearly, all the above have moved the international community’s interest. However, there is an incessant concern and countless unanswered questions: Who is the culprit? Which are the interests served? Is America the real victim or the main victimiser? These are some queries that remain unanswered and become all the more intense with the passage of time. Besides, in no case would the culpable ones take the responsibility and account for the great harm that they have done and still do to humanity.
[1]We should considerate the fact that Islam is a juridical institution with no priest but judges, and includes the Koran and the Hadith.SOURCES
John Baylis, Steve Smith, Patricia Owens (2013). The Globalization of World Politics: An introduction to international relationships, 5th edition: 502-525
Corbin, Jane (2003). Al Qaeda: In search of the Terror Network that threatens the world. Nation Books
theatlantic.com
bussinessinsider.com
Wikipedia.org