The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan The Deposit Number at The National Library 2511/6/2015 320.55 AbuHanieh, Hassan Mahmud The Islamic State Organization/ The Sunni Crisis and the Struggle of Global Jihadism/ Hassan Mahmud Abu Hanieh , Mohammad Suliman AbuRumman Translated By: Banan Malkawi.- Amman: Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, 2015. (368p). Deposit No.: 2511/6/2015 Descriptors:/political Parties/islamic/ Published in 2015 by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Jordan & Iraq FES Jordan & Iraq P.O. Box 941876 Amman 11194 Jordan Email: [email protected] Website: www.fes-jordan.org Not for sale © FES Jordan & Iraq All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reprinted, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means without prior written permission from the publishers. Translation: Banan Malkawi Cover and Layout: Mohammad Ayyoub Printing: Dar Al Jeel Al Arabi Publishers ISBN: 978-9957-484-53-8 Dedication To those who dream of a better and more beautiful future, and believe that the hopes of the Arab peoples transcend the limits of despotic regimes and sectarian militias. This book is dedicated to those individuals who do not choose internal chaos and civil wars, those who recognize that the only path to achieving the desired future is through the struggle to establish democratic and pluralistic systems, based on the essential values of respecting human rights, liberties, and dignity; systems that stand upon the pillars of justice, citizenship, and the rule of law. Foreword Anja Wehler-Schoeck Resident Director, Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Jordan and Iraq With the gradual rise of what later became known as the ‘Islamic State’ Organization or IS, the year 2013 marked a turning point in global Jihadism. IS introduced previously unknown forms of recruiting, propaganda and operating. In 2014, the terror organization managed to overtake al-Qaeda as the dominant player of global Jihad. IS has been recruiting on a much larger scale than al-Qaeda and across a far broader range, including converts to Islam from many Western countries. Since IS practically overran Mosul in June 2014, hardly any topic has received more media attention than the Islamist terror organization. The subsequent declaration of a caliphate and the expansion of IS-controlled territories as well as their ominous attraction to young recruits and the extreme brutality of their actions are being observed with growing concern around the globe. Yet, the public discourse is not seldom influenced by sensationalism and conspiracy theories. With the publication of this book, the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) wishes to contribute to an educated discussion of the new developments in global Jihadism. The authors, Dr. Mohammad Abu Rumman and Hassan Abu Hanieh go back to the sources of al-Qaeda and IS and analyze the differences of both terror organizations with regard to ideology and strategy as well as to organizational structure and leadership. They explain the 7 Foreword genesis of the rift between the two organizations, which has evolved from mere ideological differences to a full-fledged military conflict. Against the backdrop of the political developments in Syria and Iraq in the past few years, the authors show how IS was able to rapidly gain strength. FES Amman has created a line of work dedicated to Political Islam aiming at shedding light on the various streams and trends and at promoting an informed discourse on Islamist movements. In this context, a publication series was launched in 2007, under which nine books have been published to date. Through these publications, we aspire to make academic analyses of Islamist movements accessible to a broad audience. The team of FES Amman wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the authors Dr. Mohammad Abu Rumman and Hassan Abu Hanieh, both of whom are renowned experts on the issue of Political Islam and who have proven to be invaluable resources in this field. We thank you for your interest in the events and publications of FES Amman and wish you an interesting and insightful read of “The ‘Islamic State’ Organization. The Sunni Crisis and the Struggle of Global Jihadism”. 8 Table of Contents Foreword ………………………………………………………………….... 7 Introduction ………………………………………………………………. 13 Chapter One: The ‘Islamic State’ Organization: Its Roots, Path, and Transformations Introduction ……………………………………………………………...….. 25 1. The Legacy of Al-Zarqawi: The Godfather of the ‘Islamic State’……………………………………………………..….. 28 2. The Occupation of Iraq: The Establishment of the “Al-Tawhid wa al-Jihad” Group ………………………..….. 34 3. Merging with Al-Qaeda’s Central Network: The Grounds of an Ambiguous Relationship ……..………… 41 4. Proclaiming “The Islamic State of Iraq” ………….....…. 56 5. Priorities of the Struggle: The Mission of Defending “Sunni Identity” ……………………………………………..……… 71 Conclusion ………………………………………..……….………………… 88 Chapter Two: Al-Nusra Front: Its Founding, Rise, and Crisis Introduction ……………………………………..……….………………….. 97 1. The Roots: The Syrian Regime’s Contribution to Providing a Climate for Al-Qaeda ………….…..…..…… 100 2. The Rise of Al-Nusra Front: The Paths of an Ambiguous Beginning ……………………….………………... 107 9 Table of Contents 3. The Essence of the Dispute with the Iraqi Organization ….……………………………...…………………...… 112 4. The Front’s Intellectual Frame of Reference: The Syrian Jihadi Salafist Track .……………………………...… 118 5. A Structural Crisis .………………………………….………...… 127 6. Retreat and Decline: The Search for an Alternate Strategy .…………………………….................................................… 135 Conclusion …..…………………………....................................................... 139 Chapter Three: The Road to Announcing the “Caliphate” Introduction …..………………………….................................................... 147 1. A New Strategy, Manifold Tactics, and Restructuring.……………………………......................................… 150 2. The “Demolishing Walls” Plan: Regaining Influence and Expansion ………………………...........................................… 154 3. Al-Maliki as a Partner in the Rise of the “Islamic State” …..…………………………......................................................… 162 4. Announcing the “Caliphate” State and Removing Borders …..…………………………..................................................… 169 5. Expansion and Rise within the Syrian Conflict ....... 173 Conclusion …….……………………….................................................….. 178 Chapter Four: The Schism of Al-Qaeda: Disputes and Implications of Discord Introduction ……………………………..................................................… 183 1. The Rise of Disagreements and Failed Attempts at Containment .……………………………......................................… 185 01 Table of Contents 2. Al-Qaeda’s New “Guidebook” after Bin Laden’s Revisions .…………………………….................................................. 193 3. The Schism: Implications of the Split ….....................… 197 4. Between Two Models ………………...…………................…... 205 Conclusion ……………….……...…………………..……….…………….. 212 Chapter Five: The Struggle over the Ideology of Jihadi Salafism Introduction …………….………………..……….…………....……......… 219 1. The “Founding Fathers” of Jihadi Salafist Ideology.………………………….………..……….…………...…..… 222 2. From Solidarity Jihad to Global Jihad ………....…..… 229 3. The Hallmarks of the “Islamic State” Ideology …... 236 4. Al-Nusra Front: Al-Qaeda’s Revisions and “Ideological Adaptability” ………………..…………...…..… 247 Conclusion ……...…………………..…....................................................… 253 Chapter Six: The Evolution of the Islamic State’s Structure Introduction ….……………………….....................................................… 257 1. The Framework of “Al-Tawhid wa al-Jihad” ........… 259 2. The Organizational Structure of Al-Qaeda in Iraq .260 3. The Institutional Structure of the Islamic State of Iraq............................................................................................................... 265 4. The Organizational Building of the “Islamic State” (The Caliphate) .................................................................................. 267 5. Current Leading Figures ............................................................ 283 Conclusion ……………………………......................................................... 285 00 Table of Contents Conclusion: The Day After: The War against the ‘Islamic State’ 1. The International and Regional Coalition ..................... 297 2. The ‘Islamic State’: The Organization ............................ 300 3. The Sociology of Violence: The ‘Islamic State’ as a “Model” .................................................................................................. 302 Appendices 1. Appendix 1: Brief Profiles of Leading Figures of the ‘Islamic State’..................................................................................... 307 2. Appendix 2: Brief Profiles of Leading Figures of Al- Nusra Front .......................................................................................... 323 Resources and References ............................................................. 331 01 Introduction Introduction The Islamic State’s swift military advance and takeover of the city of Mosul and other Iraqi regions in June 2014 flabbergasted the world. The attack was shocking, and within days, IS was able to gain control of several other vital Iraqi provinces, while the Iraqi armed forces quickly collapsed in its wake. In an attempt to justify and explain this sudden event, an Iraqi official speaking to the media found no other words to say except: “We are facing a foreign invasion.”