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

[[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>

  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.

==Turkey==

==Turkey==

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>[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>

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.

Istanbul suicide bomber who blew himself up in Sultanahmet square near the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, killing 11 tourists. <ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3397116/Turkey-arrests-three-Russians-links-ISIS-suicide-bomb-killed-ten-tourists-Istanbul.html#ixzz3xGUQzjys Face of a killer: Turkish police release first mugshot of the Istanbul ISIS bomber, Dailymail.co.uk, January 13, 2016]</ref>

Istanbul suicide bomber who blew himself up in Sultanahmet square near the Blue Mosque and Hagia Sophia, killing 11 tourists.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3397116/Turkey-arrests-three-Russians-links-ISIS-suicide-bomb-killed-ten-tourists-Istanbul.html#ixzz3xGUQzjys Face of a killer: Turkish police release first mugshot of the Istanbul ISIS bomber, Dailymail.co.uk, January 13, 2016]</ref>

==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>[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 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>[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>

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>

January 17, 2016, the coastal town of Bin Jawad became the fourth to fall into ISIS control. <ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3403911/ISIS-militants-parade-severed-heads-Mediterranean-coast-town-Bin-Jawad-fourth-fall-militants-Libya.html?ito=social-twitter_mailonline]</ref>

January 17, 2016, the coastal town of Bin Jawad became the fourth to fall into ISIS control.<ref>[http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3403911/ISIS-militants-parade-severed-heads-Mediterranean-coast-town-Bin-Jawad-fourth-fall-militants-Libya.html?ito=social-twitter_mailonline]</ref>

==Afghanistan==

==Afghanistan==

Over 10,000 loyalists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group are based in the remote regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan. A suicide bombing of the Pakistani consulate killed 10 people. The U.S. military presence in Afghanistan has been given new rules of engagement in order to attack ISIS targets. <ref>[https://www.mintpressnews.com/amid-ever-growing-indications-that-isis-is-establishing-itself-as-a-proper-faction-in-southeastern-afghanistan-based-around-the-city-of-jalalabad-the-pentagon-has-reportedly-been-given-broad-new-aut/213042/ Pentagon Expands ISIS Strikes To Afghanistan, Mintpressnews.com, January 23, 2016]</ref>

Over 10,000 loyalists of the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terrorist group are based in the remote regions of Afghanistan and Pakistan. A suicide bombing of the Pakistani consulate killed 10 people. The U.S. military presence in Afghanistan has been given new rules of engagement in order to attack ISIS targets.<ref>[https://www.mintpressnews.com/amid-ever-growing-indications-that-isis-is-establishing-itself-as-a-proper-faction-in-southeastern-afghanistan-based-around-the-city-of-jalalabad-the-pentagon-has-reportedly-been-given-broad-new-aut/213042/ Pentagon Expands ISIS Strikes To Afghanistan, Mintpressnews.com, January 23, 2016]</ref>

==Egypt==

==Egypt==

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>[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>

On October 31st, 2015, Russian airline Metrojet left an Egyptian airport and blew up in flight killing 224 people. ISIS has claimed responsibility for placing a bomb onboard. <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 onboard.<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>

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>[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>

==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>[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>

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.

==Yemen==

==Yemen==

Islamic State suicide bomber strikes a Shiite mosque injuring 13 people. Also in May 2015, IS forces executed 15 Yemeni soldiers by beheading. <ref>[http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/05/islamic-state-beheads-shoots-15-yemeni-soldiers.php Islamic State beheads, shoots 15 Yemeni soldiers, The Long War Journal, May 1, 2015]</ref>

Islamic State suicide bomber strikes a Shiite mosque injuring 13 people. Also in May 2015, IS forces executed 15 Yemeni soldiers by beheading.<ref>[http://www.longwarjournal.org/archives/2015/05/islamic-state-beheads-shoots-15-yemeni-soldiers.php Islamic State beheads, shoots 15 Yemeni soldiers, The Long War Journal, May 1, 2015]</ref>

==Kuwait==

==Kuwait==

ISIS has claimed responsibility for an apparent bomb blast at the Shiite-affiliated Al-Sadiq mosque on June 26th, 2015.

ISIS has claimed responsibility for an apparent bomb blast at the Shiite-affiliated Al-Sadiq mosque on June 26, 2015.

==Tunisia==

==Tunisia==

Gunmen killed at least 27 people at a beachfront Tunisian hotel on June 26th, 2015

Gunmen killed at least 27 people at a beachfront Tunisian hotel on June 26, 2015

===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>[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>

===Indonesia===

===Indonesia===

Seven people were killed in Jakarta after gunmen and suicide bombers attack a cafe. <ref>[http://www.businessinsider.com/isis-militants-claim-responsibility-for-attack-in-jakarta-in-first-strike-at-indonesia-2016-1?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=referral ISIS militants claim responsibility for attack in Jakarta in first strike at Indonesia, BusinessInsider, January 13, 2015]</ref>

Seven people were killed in Jakarta after gunmen and suicide bombers attack a cafe.<ref>[http://www.businessinsider.com/isis-militants-claim-responsibility-for-attack-in-jakarta-in-first-strike-at-indonesia-2016-1?utm_source=feedburner&amp;utm_medium=referral ISIS militants claim responsibility for attack in Jakarta in first strike at Indonesia, BusinessInsider, January 13, 2015]</ref>

===United States===

===United States===

In May 2015, two suspects were killed by security guards as they went to attack Draw Muhammad Cartoon event in Garland, Texas hosted by [[Pamela Geller]].

In May 2015, two suspects were killed by security guards as they went to attack Draw Muhammad Cartoon event in Garland, Texas hosted by [[Pamela Geller]].

July 2015, ISIS militant attacks U.S. military base in Chattanooga, TN. 4 service members were killed. <ref>[http://www.weaselzippers.us/229298-exclusive-islamic-state-account-tweets-warnings-about-chattanooga-moments-before-shooting-began/ WeaselZippers, July 16, 2015]</ref>

July 2015, ISIS militant attacks U.S. military base in Chattanooga, TN. 4 service members were killed.<ref>[http://www.weaselzippers.us/229298-exclusive-islamic-state-account-tweets-warnings-about-chattanooga-moments-before-shooting-began/ WeaselZippers, July 16, 2015]</ref>

Radicalized San Bernardino shooter Tashfeen Malik pledged allegiance to ISIS before killing 14 in California December 3rd 2015. <ref>[http://www.weaselzippers.us/243536-breaking-u-s-officials-san-bernardino-shooter-tashfeen-malik-pledged-allegiance-to-isis/ Breaking: U.S. Officials: San Bernardino Shooter Tashfeen Malik Pledged Allegiance To ISIS, WeaselZippers.us, December 4, 2015]</ref>

Radicalized San Bernardino shooter Tashfeen Malik pledged allegiance to ISIS before killing 14 in California December 3, 2015.<ref>[http://www.weaselzippers.us/243536-breaking-u-s-officials-san-bernardino-shooter-tashfeen-malik-pledged-allegiance-to-isis/ Breaking: U.S. Officials: San Bernardino Shooter Tashfeen Malik Pledged Allegiance To ISIS, WeaselZippers.us, December 4, 2015]</ref>

==See also==   

==See also==