ISIS Taking Over the Middle East: The Rise of Middle Eastern Supremacy-ISIS/ISIL

-Explains the formation, effects, beliefs, and objectives of the group

The world has been rocked with news of the rise of a new power in the Middle East. The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) (also known as the Islamic State of Levant (ISIL) and Da’ish) currently controls up to 16 provinces (waliyah) in Iraq and Syria.

This Sunni jihadist group - an offshoot of Al Qaeda - has been distinguished by its hard-line ideology, which, much like that of its predecessor, promotes religious extremism, has an unmistakable anti-western stance and condones the use of violence.

The group has since relayed its plans of creating an Islamic state in Iraq, Syria and the entire Levant region; governed by Sharia (Islamic law). Although ISIL has insisted that its ideology is Salafist (fundamental Islamist) at its roots, many critics have questioned this claim.

The main point of difference between Da‘ish and other Islamic militant groups such as Al Qaeda and the Taliban, however, has been that the group has targeted the Shiite community with similar violent tactics used against the government and supposed foreign enemies.