Week seven - Islamic State

What is 'Islamic State'?

The jihadist group Islamic State (IS) burst on to the international scene in 2014 when it seized large swathes of territory in Syria and Iraq. It has become notorious for its brutality, including mass killings, abductions and beheadings. The group though has attracted support elsewhere in the Muslim world - and a US-led coalition has vowed to destroy it.

What does IS want?

In June 2014, the group formally declared the establishment of a "caliphate" - a state governed in accordance with Islamic law, or Sharia, by God's deputy on Earth, or caliph.

IS seeks to eradicate obstacles to restoring God's rule on Earth and to defend the Muslim community, or umma, against infidels and apostates.The group has welcomed the prospect of direct confrontation with the US-led coalition, viewing it as a harbinger of an end-of-times showdown between Muslims and their enemies described in Islamic apocalyptic prophecies.

What are its origins?

Baghdadi, a former US detainee, became leader in 2010 and began rebuilding ISI's capabilities. By 2013, it was once again carrying out dozens of attacks a month in Iraq.It had also joined the rebellion against President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, setting up the al-Nusra Front.

At the end of December 2013, Isis shifted its focus back to Iraq and exploited a political stand-off between the Shia-led government and the minority Sunni Arab community. Aided by tribesmen and former Saddam Hussein loyalists, Isis took control of the central city of Falluja.

In June 2014, Isis overran the northern city of Mosul, and then advanced southwards towards Baghdad, massacring its adversaries and threatening to eradicate the country's many ethnic and religious minorities. At the end of the month, after consolidating its hold over dozens of cities and towns, Isis declared the creation of a caliphate and changed its name to "Islamic State".

What weapons does IS have?

IS fighters have access to, and are capable of using, a wide variety of small arms and heavy weapons, including truck-mounted machine-guns, rocket launchers, anti-aircraft guns and portable surface-to-air missile systems.

Where does IS get its money from?

It initially relied on wealthy private donors and Islamic charities in the Middle East keen to oust Syria's President Assad. Although such funding is still being used to finance the travel of foreign fighters to Syria and Iraq, the group is now largely self-funding.

URL：http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-29052144

ＷＨＯ：Islamic State
ＷＨＥＮ：2014 until 2016
ＷＨＡＴ：Describe everything about Islamic State
ＷＨＹ：It has become notorious for its brutality, including mass killings, abductions and beheadings
ＷＨＥＲＥ：Iraq
ＨＯＷ：Not given

KEYWORDS：
1 jihadist : 聖戰士
2 notorious : 惡名昭彰
3 brutality : 殘酷,殘暴
4 coalition : 聯盟
5 vow : 發誓
6 formally : 正式的
7 establishment : 豎立
8 accordance : 按照
9 eradicate : 根除
10 obstacle : 障礙物
11 apostates : 背叛者
12 harbinger : 徵兆
13 prophecy : 預言
14 rebellion : 謀反
15 aided : 幫助