Changes

'''Islamic State''' (IS) (also known as '''Islamic State of Iraq and Syria''' (ISIS)<ref>http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/07/iraq-christians-told-convert-face-death-2014718111040982432.html</ref> or 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant' (ISIL), as referred by Barack Obama or 'Daesh', as referred by [[John Kerry]]), is a terrorist organization that operates in [[Iraq]] and [[Syria]]. Founded by [[Abu Musab al-Zarqawi]], it grew out of [[al Qaeda]] in Iraq.<ref>http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/06/10/229948/some-answers-about-the-islamic.html#emlnl=Morning_Newsletter</ref> It was founded during the [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] of 2003. Its current leader is [[Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi]]. IS currently fights non-Muslims, Shiite Muslims, the Iraqi Army and Kurdish [[Peshmerga]] troops.<ref>http://www.euronews.com/2014/08/12/kurdish-peshmerga-troops-plead-for-weapons-to-fight-islamic-state-militants/</ref> The goal of IS is to construct an Islamic Caliphate in Syria and Iraq.<ref>http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2014/0623/Briefing-What-is-the-Islamic-State-In-Iraq-and-the-Levant-ISIS</ref>

'''Islamic State''' (IS) (also known as '''Islamic State of Iraq and Syria''' (ISIS)<ref>http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2014/07/iraq-christians-told-convert-face-death-2014718111040982432.html</ref> or 'Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant' (ISIL), as referred by Barack Obama or 'Daesh', as referred by [[John Kerry]]), is a terrorist organization that operates in [[Iraq]] and [[Syria]]. Founded by [[Abu Musab al-Zarqawi]], it grew out of [[al Qaeda]] in Iraq.<ref>http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2014/06/10/229948/some-answers-about-the-islamic.html#emlnl=Morning_Newsletter</ref> It was founded during the [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] of 2003. Its current leader is [[Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi]]. IS currently fights non-Muslims, Shiite Muslims, the Iraqi Army and Kurdish [[Peshmerga]] troops.<ref>http://www.euronews.com/2014/08/12/kurdish-peshmerga-troops-plead-for-weapons-to-fight-islamic-state-militants/</ref> The goal of IS is to construct an Islamic Caliphate in Syria and Iraq.<ref>http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2014/0623/Briefing-What-is-the-Islamic-State-In-Iraq-and-the-Levant-ISIS</ref>

[[Ramzan Kadyrov]], ([[Chechnya]]), 38, said the U.S. secretly controls the Islamic State.<ref>[http://finance.yahoo.com/news/putin-points-muslim-rage-cold-210000968.html Putin Points Muslim Rage at Cold War Foes.]</ref> Documents obtained by a FOIA request of [[Judicial Watch]] show as early as 2012, U.S. intelligence predicted the rise of the Islamic State and the report envisions the terror group as a U.S. strategic asset in the fight against Bashar al-Assad.<ref>[http://patdollard.com/2015/05/exposed-2012-defense-dept-documents-reveal-obama-regime-sought-to-create-an-islamic-state/ EXPOSED: 2012 Defense Dept. Documents Reveal Obama Regime Sought To Create An “Islamic State” In Syria And Iraq, PatDollard.com, May 22, 2015]</ref> VP [[Joe Biden]] admitted in 2014 that Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Turkey had funneled hundreds of millions of dollars to Islamist rebels in Syria. Biden was forced to retract that statement.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/unitedarabemirates/11142683/Joe-Biden-forced-to-apologise-to-UAE-and-Turkey-over-Syria-remarks.html Joe Biden forced to apologise to UAE and Turkey over Syria remarks, Telegraph.uk, October 6, 2014]</ref>  The U.S. did precisely the same thing in terms of supplying and facilitating the Syrian opposition. Obama had requested $500 million to train fighters opposed to ISIS. In August, the Pentagon announced it would defend those forces from attacks by the Syrian government.<ref>[http://www.wsj.com/articles/pentagon-to-defend-new-syria-force-from-assad-regime-others-1438549937  U.S. to Defend New Syria Force From Assad Regime, WSJ, Augist 2, 2015]</ref>

[[Ramzan Kadyrov]], ([[Chechnya]]), 38, said the U.S. secretly controls the Islamic State.<ref>[http://finance.yahoo.com/news/putin-points-muslim-rage-cold-210000968.html Putin Points Muslim Rage at Cold War Foes.]</ref> Documents obtained by a FOIA request of [[Judicial Watch]] show as early as 2012, U.S. intelligence predicted the rise of the Islamic State and the report envisions the terror group as a U.S. strategic asset in the fight against Bashar al-Assad.<ref>[http://patdollard.com/2015/05/exposed-2012-defense-dept-documents-reveal-obama-regime-sought-to-create-an-islamic-state/ EXPOSED: 2012 Defense Dept. Documents Reveal Obama Regime Sought To Create An “Islamic State” In Syria And Iraq, PatDollard.com, May 22, 2015]</ref> VP [[Joe Biden]] admitted in 2014 that Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar and Turkey had funneled hundreds of millions of dollars to Islamist rebels in Syria. Biden was forced to retract that statement.<ref>[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/unitedarabemirates/11142683/Joe-Biden-forced-to-apologise-to-UAE-and-Turkey-over-Syria-remarks.html Joe Biden forced to apologise to UAE and Turkey over Syria remarks, Telegraph.uk, October 6, 2014]</ref>  The U.S. did precisely the same thing in terms of supplying and facilitating the Syrian opposition. Obama had requested $500 million to train fighters opposed to ISIS. In August, the Pentagon announced it would defend those forces from attacks by the Syrian government.<ref>[https://www.wsj.com/articles/pentagon-to-defend-new-syria-force-from-assad-regime-others-1438549937  U.S. to Defend New Syria Force From Assad Regime, WSJ, Augist 2, 2015]</ref>

Turkey's president [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan|Erdogan]] has good relations with Barack Obama and they both support Assad's ouster from Syria. Turkey is a major transit point for both foreign fighters and weapons, which makes both presidents complicit in the failure to stop fighters from joining ISIS ranks.

Turkey's president [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan|Erdogan]] has good relations with Barack Obama and they both support Assad's ouster from Syria. Turkey is a major transit point for both foreign fighters and weapons, which makes both presidents complicit in the failure to stop fighters from joining ISIS ranks.

Turkish tanks and warplanes along with rebel ground forces captured the symbolic city of Dabiq in Syria, October 2016.<ref>[http://www.oann.com/syrian-rebels-seize-village-where-islamic-state-promised-final-battle/ Syrian rebels seize village, OANN.com, October 16, 2016]</ref>

Turkish tanks and warplanes along with rebel ground forces captured the symbolic city of Dabiq in Syria, October 2016.<ref>[http://www.oann.com/syrian-rebels-seize-village-where-islamic-state-promised-final-battle/ Syrian rebels seize village, OANN.com, October 16, 2016]</ref>

Turkish jets scrambled as tanks and artillery of its Fifth Armored Brigade shelled ISIS militants across the border in response to a suicide bombing in Turkey that killed 32 people.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/24/world/europe/turkey-isis-us-airstrikes-syria.html?_r=1 U.S. Jets to Use Turkish Bases in War on ISIS, NYT, July 23, 2015]</ref>

Turkish jets scrambled as tanks and artillery of its Fifth Armored Brigade shelled ISIS militants across the border in response to a suicide bombing in Turkey that killed 32 people.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/24/world/europe/turkey-isis-us-airstrikes-syria.html?_r=1 U.S. Jets to Use Turkish Bases in War on ISIS, NYT, July 23, 2015]</ref>

Islamic State fighters fired on a Turkish border outpost in the Kilis region, killing one Turkish soldier and wounding five.

Islamic State fighters fired on a Turkish border outpost in the Kilis region, killing one Turkish soldier and wounding five.

==Libya==

==Libya==

Islamic State has created such a vast presence in Libya, 5000 fighters, that the U.S. government is scrambling to come up with a counter plan.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/05/world/africa/isis-libya-us-special-ops.html?_r=0 Obama Is Pressed to Open Military Front Against ISIS in Libya, NYT, February 4, 2016]</ref>

Islamic State has created such a vast presence in Libya, 5000 fighters, that the U.S. government is scrambling to come up with a counter plan.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/05/world/africa/isis-libya-us-special-ops.html?_r=0 Obama Is Pressed to Open Military Front Against ISIS in Libya, NYT, February 4, 2016]</ref>

Islamic State fighters captured Gaddafi's home city of Sirte. Libya has been in near anarchy since [[NATO]] forces helped remove Gaddafi.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/21/us-libya-security-insight-idUSKBN0O610M20150521 Gaddafi's home town falls to Islamic State in anarchic Libya, Reuters, May 21, 2015]</ref>

Islamic State fighters captured Gaddafi's home city of Sirte. Libya has been in near anarchy since [[NATO]] forces helped remove Gaddafi.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/21/us-libya-security-insight-idUSKBN0O610M20150521 Gaddafi's home town falls to Islamic State in anarchic Libya, Reuters, May 21, 2015]</ref>

January 7, 2016, ISIS attacks the western city of Zliten with car bombs, killing 60 people.<ref>[http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2016/01/14/isis-makes-inroads-in-libya?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=storiesfromnpr ISIS Makes Inroads In Libya, WBUR.org, January 14, 2016]</ref>

January 7, 2016, ISIS attacks the western city of Zliten with car bombs, killing 60 people.<ref>[http://hereandnow.wbur.org/2016/01/14/isis-makes-inroads-in-libya?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=storiesfromnpr ISIS Makes Inroads In Libya, WBUR.org, January 14, 2016]</ref>

Assassination of a government official has been linked to ISIS. The Sinai Provine, an ISIS affiliated terrorist group, launched dozens of simultaneous attacks on North Sinai. Egyptian military announced 17 soldiers and 100 militants were killed in fighting.<ref>[http://egyptianstreets.com/2015/07/01/death-toll-rises-in-north-sinai-as-egypt-enters-a-state-of-war/ Egypt Officially Announces ‘State Of War’ EgyptianStreets.com, July 1, 2015]</ref> Israel has closed its border with Egypt in response to the developments.

Assassination of a government official has been linked to ISIS. The Sinai Provine, an ISIS affiliated terrorist group, launched dozens of simultaneous attacks on North Sinai. Egyptian military announced 17 soldiers and 100 militants were killed in fighting.<ref>[http://egyptianstreets.com/2015/07/01/death-toll-rises-in-north-sinai-as-egypt-enters-a-state-of-war/ Egypt Officially Announces ‘State Of War’ EgyptianStreets.com, July 1, 2015]</ref> Israel has closed its border with Egypt in response to the developments.

Islamic State claims responsibility for a missile attack on an Egyptian warship.<ref>[http://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2015/07/16/warship-burns-as-islamic-state-launches-missile-attack-on-egyptian-navy/ WARSHIP BURNS AS ISLAMIC STATE LAUNCHES MISSILE ATTACK ON EGYPTIAN NAVY, Breitbart, July 16, 2015]</ref>

Islamic State claims responsibility for a missile attack on an Egyptian warship.<ref>[https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2015/07/16/warship-burns-as-islamic-state-launches-missile-attack-on-egyptian-navy/ WARSHIP BURNS AS ISLAMIC STATE LAUNCHES MISSILE ATTACK ON EGYPTIAN NAVY, Breitbart, July 16, 2015]</ref>

On October 31, 2015, Russian airline Metrojet left an Egyptian airport and blew up in flight killing 224 people. ISIS has claimed responsibility for placing a bomb on board.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2015/11/09/middleeast/russian-plane-crash-egypt-sinai/ Russian plane crash: Bomb theory supported by ISIS chatter, officials say, CNN, November 9, 2015]</ref>

On October 31, 2015, Russian airline Metrojet left an Egyptian airport and blew up in flight killing 224 people. ISIS has claimed responsibility for placing a bomb on board.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2015/11/09/middleeast/russian-plane-crash-egypt-sinai/ Russian plane crash: Bomb theory supported by ISIS chatter, officials say, CNN, November 9, 2015]</ref>

ISIS claimed responsibility for a car bomb that injured nine people at the Italian consulate in [[Cairo]].<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/12/world/middleeast/egypt-bombing-at-italian-consulate-in-cairo.html?_r=0 ISIS Claims Responsibility for Blast at Italian Consulate in Cairo, NYT, July 11, 2015]</ref>

ISIS claimed responsibility for a car bomb that injured nine people at the Italian consulate in [[Cairo]].<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/12/world/middleeast/egypt-bombing-at-italian-consulate-in-cairo.html?_r=0 ISIS Claims Responsibility for Blast at Italian Consulate in Cairo, NYT, July 11, 2015]</ref>

==Saudi Arabia==

==Saudi Arabia==

Islamic State suicide bomber kills 21 at Saudi Shi'ite mosque.<ref>[http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/23/saudi-security-idUSL5N0YD1X520150523 Suicide bomber kills 21 at Saudi Shi'ite mosque, Islamic State claims attack, Reuters, May 23, 2015]</ref>

Islamic State suicide bomber kills 21 at Saudi Shi'ite mosque.<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/2015/05/23/saudi-security-idUSL5N0YD1X520150523 Suicide bomber kills 21 at Saudi Shi'ite mosque, Islamic State claims attack, Reuters, May 23, 2015]</ref>

On May 29, another suicide bomber killed 4 people in a Shiite mosque attack.

On May 29, another suicide bomber killed 4 people in a Shiite mosque attack.

ISIS claimed responsibility for an attack by two men who attacked police officers near [[Moscow]].<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/isis-terror-attacks-news-latest-russia-moscow-balashikha-police-gun-axe-allegiance-video-chechen-a7198731.html, Independent, August 19, 2016]</ref>

ISIS claimed responsibility for an attack by two men who attacked police officers near [[Moscow]].<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/isis-terror-attacks-news-latest-russia-moscow-balashikha-police-gun-axe-allegiance-video-chechen-a7198731.html, Independent, August 19, 2016]</ref>

ISIS claimed responsibility for a bomb attack on Russian police convoy in Dagestan. One person was killed and two were injured.<ref>[http://www.cbsnews.com/news/isis-claims-bomb-attack-on-russia-police-in-dagestan/, CBS News, March 30, 2016]</ref>

ISIS claimed responsibility for a bomb attack on Russian police convoy in Dagestan. One person was killed and two were injured.<ref>[https://www.cbsnews.com/news/isis-claims-bomb-attack-on-russia-police-in-dagestan/, CBS News, March 30, 2016]</ref>

===Belgium===

===Belgium===

In January 2015, two suspects died a the shootout with police. The raid turned up four Kalashnikovs, handguns, bomb-making materials and police uniforms.<ref>[http://www.cnn.com/2015/01/16/world/belgium-anti-terror-operation/ Source: Belgium terror cell has links to ISIS, some members still at large, CNN.com, January 16,2015]</ref>

In January 2015, two suspects died a the shootout with police. The raid turned up four Kalashnikovs, handguns, bomb-making materials and police uniforms.<ref>[https://www.cnn.com/2015/01/16/world/belgium-anti-terror-operation/ Source: Belgium terror cell has links to ISIS, some members still at large, CNN.com, January 16,2015]</ref>

Ringleader of the ISIS cell that committed mass-murder in France, Salah Abdeslam, was captured in Brussels.

Ringleader of the ISIS cell that committed mass-murder in France, Salah Abdeslam, was captured in Brussels.

A Syrian suicide bomber injured 15 people through a suicide attack in [[Ansbach]] on July 24, 2016.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/jul/25/ansbach-explosion-german-town-deliberate-blast-latest]</ref>

A Syrian suicide bomber injured 15 people through a suicide attack in [[Ansbach]] on July 24, 2016.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2016/jul/25/ansbach-explosion-german-town-deliberate-blast-latest]</ref>

On December 20, 2016 a truck rammed into a crowded Christmas market in [[Berlin]], killing at least 12 people and injuring at least 48 others.<ref>[http://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/police-truck-attack-killed-12-berlin-intentional]</ref> ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack.<ref>Hjelmgaard, Kim (December 20, 2016). [http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/12/20/berlin-truck-crash/95644498/ ISIL calls Berlin attacker a 'soldier' as manhunt for killer resumes]. ''USA Today''. Retrieved December 20, 2016.</ref>

On December 20, 2016 a truck rammed into a crowded Christmas market in [[Berlin]], killing at least 12 people and injuring at least 48 others.<ref>[https://www.cnsnews.com/news/article/police-truck-attack-killed-12-berlin-intentional]</ref> ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack.<ref>Hjelmgaard, Kim (December 20, 2016). [https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2016/12/20/berlin-truck-crash/95644498/ ISIL calls Berlin attacker a 'soldier' as manhunt for killer resumes]. ''USA Today''. Retrieved December 20, 2016.</ref>

===Indonesia===

===Indonesia===