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- Started as an al Qaeda splinter group.
Also known as Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant and Islamic State (IS).
The aim of ISIS is to create an Islamic state across Sunni areas of Iraq and in Syria.
ISIS is known for killing dozens of people at a time and carrying out public executions, crucifixions and other acts. It has taken over large swaths of northern and western Iraq.
The group currently controls hundreds of square miles. It ignores international borders and has a presence from Syria's Mediterranean coast to south of Baghdad. It rules by Sharia law.
ISIS's initial strategy for revenue was through extortion and robbery. Recently, al-Baghdadi's strategy shifted to generating resources through large-scale attacks aimed at capturing and holding territory.
Unable to serve under the new Iraq government after Saddam Hussein's military was disbanded, former Iraqi soldiers became ISIS fighters, according to Middle East expert Fawaz Gerges.
For more quick facts about ISIS and a timeline on their happenings go
[You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]What are your thoughts on ISIS?
Many Americans believe that the US should send more ground troops and try to regain control, do you think that America (or any other country) should get involved in this and try to dismantle ISIS and help the region regain control?
Many people compare these current happenings to the tragedy of the Hitler induced Holocaust, do you think that this is comparable to the mass genocides of WWII?