Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL)

Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), also known as ISIS, is a militant extremist group that seeks to establish a caliphate governed by strict Sunni Islamic law. Originating from al-Qaeda in Iraq, it gained international notoriety for its brutal violence, mass killings, and territorial expansion in parts of Iraq and Syria starting around 2013. ISIL aims to create a state based on their interpretation of Islam, often disregarding national borders, and has carried out terrorist attacks globally. Despite losing most of its territory by 2019, the group remains active through insurgency and terrorist activities, posing ongoing regional and international security threats.