The Structure of the World's Cruelest Organization

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The Structure of the World's Cruelest Organization
Elizabeth Miles

Lopinion by

Elizabeth Miles

Sep 22, 2014

Imagine yourself in the skin of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the mysterious leader of the extremist group the Islamic State (IS), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) or the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), which spreads fear among the world's leaders.

In the past few years you've managed to avoid drone attacks and survive civil wars, unite militant groups form two different countries under your banner, create an army of jihadists from all over the world and conquer a large territory stretching from northern Syria to central Iraq.

Your newly declared "Islamic State" has the size of the American state of Pennsylvania. So, how will you manage this country? Well, you will share your power with other powerful comrades.

The latest data of the Terrorism Research & Analysis Consortium (TRAC) shows that ISIS, after the dust on the battlefield settles, establishes government structures to manage the newly conquered territories. The Islamic State, which once had exclusively military character, has built a system in order to provide basic services to its new citizens, such as, for example, the supply of gas and groceries.

Executive branch of the government, known as "Al Imara"

Baghdadi, advisors in his cabinet and his two principal deputies represent the executive authority, known as "Al Imara".

The two deputies -- Abu Ali al-Anbari and Abu Muslim al-Turkmani, veteran Iraqi military officials who served under Saddam Hussein, oversee Syria and Iraq.

It is likely that ISIS shares power in the "Islamic State" between the branches in Syria and Iraq in order to facilitate management, says Jasmine Opperman, director of TRAC for South Africa.

"They see the caliphate as one state, yet there are two different governments. I believe this split is purely administrative at this time. They don't want to be seen as downplaying the caliphate, but to make it easier to govern they were forced to make a separation between Syria and Iraq," explains Opperman.

The two deputies deliver orders to the governors in charge of the various sub-states in Syria and Iraq under ISIS control, who then instruct local councils on how to implement the executive branch's decrees on everything from media relations and recruiting to policing and financial matters.

Shura Council approves all executions

Shura Council which directly responds to the executive branch is a religious supervisory authority of the Caliphate. It ensures that all local councils and governors respect ISIS's version of Islamic law.

The latest murders of Western hostages James Foley, Steven Sotloff, and David Haines fall under the jurisdiction of this council, according to Opperman. She says that important executions can not be conducted without the approval of Shura.

Shura has the power to criticize the leadership of the incorrect interpretation of Sharia law.

"The Shura council has the right to tell Baghdadi to go if he's not adhering to ISIS' religious standards," she explains.

However, as time passes, in addition to the infamous military power, ISIS starts to show the power of management as well. What will happen in the near future remains to be seen. In any case, the powerful world leaders will soon have to show their response to this situation.

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