(CNN) — ISIS has made huge territorial gains in the border areas between Iraq and Syria during the past month, as well as capturing strategic cities such as Mosul and Tikrit. Now its leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi has changed the group’s name from the previous “Islamic State of Iraq and Ash-Sham” to “Islamic State.” He has also appointed himself “caliph” and declared the re-establishment of the caliphate.
The caliphate is the term used by some Muslims to mean an Islamic State intended to unify the global Muslim population (known as the ummah). It is viewed as the succession to the state founded after the Prophet Mohammed’s death and, according to Islamists, is to be governed by one interpretation of Sharia.
Categories: Arab World, Asia, Attack military, Caliphate, Extremism, Fundamentalism, Iraq, Khilafat
It is misleading to say that ISIS has made huge territorial gains. The gains in Iraq were to a large extend the work of the local Sunni tribes. Let’s wait and see whether these local Sunni tribes and groups will in fact ‘obey’ the new State. (I doubt it. They do not want to jump from the frying pan into the fire).