In 2014, ISIS (Islamic State in Iraq and Syria) launched a massive offensive against Iraq and Syria, taking over land and gaining power during the process. They captured oil fields in Iraq and took hostages to get ransom, gaining wealth and even more power. The U.S. president and many other leaders over the world place destroying or lessening the influence of ISIS at the top of their priorities. Refugees fleeing from the war torn areas of Syria and Iraq total over 3 million. Yet so many people sit in the direct line of fire of the ISIS war machine. 8 million still remain under the control or influence of ISIS, who impose harsh and violent rule over their people.
The civilians who are under ISIS’s control constantly live in fear. Strict islamic laws are upheld by the “morality police” or Hisbah. These laws include the cloaking of all women, the closing of all businesses during prayer, and checking phones for signs of communication with the outside world. Filming anything under the ISIS regime is punishable by death. Most un-Islamic practices are severely punished by floggings or executions. Even something as simple as listening to music is banned and drinking alcohol is punishable by 80 lashes.
The outside world has very little communication with the people being ruled by ISIS. Reporters attempting to film anything are executed immediately, and fear-stricken civilians are hesitant to report anything. Although ISIS is funded through oil and other means of capital, the prices of goods in areas under its control have skyrocketed. Power outages and food shortages are widespread and frequent.
ISIS has claimed responsibility for a multitude of high profile terrorist attacks. The most infamous assault, the Paris attacks, included 8 gunmen and several suicide bombers. 130 people were killed and over 350 were wounded. An ISIS bomber brought down Russian jet carrying 224 people, none survived. Yet still, the western powers do little more than support anti-ISIS fighters and carry out airstrikes. The question is not whether western countries can bring down ISIS, it is when. Every day that ISIS still exists is another day in which innocent people are at risk of being targeted by a terrorist attack. Shouldn’t countries do everything they can to prevent that?
Sources:
http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/08/world/isis-fast-facts/
http://www.nctc.gov/site/groups/aqi_isil.html
http://theweek.com/articles/572910/life-under-isis-caliphate
The civilians who are under ISIS’s control constantly live in fear. Strict islamic laws are upheld by the “morality police” or Hisbah. These laws include the cloaking of all women, the closing of all businesses during prayer, and checking phones for signs of communication with the outside world. Filming anything under the ISIS regime is punishable by death. Most un-Islamic practices are severely punished by floggings or executions. Even something as simple as listening to music is banned and drinking alcohol is punishable by 80 lashes.
The outside world has very little communication with the people being ruled by ISIS. Reporters attempting to film anything are executed immediately, and fear-stricken civilians are hesitant to report anything. Although ISIS is funded through oil and other means of capital, the prices of goods in areas under its control have skyrocketed. Power outages and food shortages are widespread and frequent.
ISIS has claimed responsibility for a multitude of high profile terrorist attacks. The most infamous assault, the Paris attacks, included 8 gunmen and several suicide bombers. 130 people were killed and over 350 were wounded. An ISIS bomber brought down Russian jet carrying 224 people, none survived. Yet still, the western powers do little more than support anti-ISIS fighters and carry out airstrikes. The question is not whether western countries can bring down ISIS, it is when. Every day that ISIS still exists is another day in which innocent people are at risk of being targeted by a terrorist attack. Shouldn’t countries do everything they can to prevent that?
Sources:
http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/08/world/isis-fast-facts/
http://www.nctc.gov/site/groups/aqi_isil.html
http://theweek.com/articles/572910/life-under-isis-caliphate