The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS)

The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) emerged from the remnants of al-Qa’ida in Iraq (AQI). The group adopted the moniker ISIS to express its regional ambitions as it expanded operations to include the Syrian conflict. ISIS was led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who declared the establishment of an Islamic caliphate in June 2014. He was killed on October 27, 2019 during a U.S. military operation to capture him. ISIS exploited the conflict in Syria and sectarian tensions in Iraq, which allowed it to gain control of territory in both countries. In 2019, the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS —consisting of several partner nations and international institutions —liberated all territory controlled by ISIS in Syria and Iraq. Efforts against the group in Iraq, Syria, and other countries continue.