Islamic State (IS)

Islamic State (IS), also known as ISIS or ISIL, is a jihadist militant group that emerged from the chaos of Iraq and Syria around 2014. It seeks to establish a strict interpretation of Islamic law across a caliphate and has used extreme violence, including terrorist attacks and mass executions, to accomplish its goals. While claiming to represent Islam, its brutal tactics and ideology are widely condemned by Muslim scholars and the international community. IS has lost much territory but remains a threat through guerrilla warfare, inspiring lone-wolf attacks, and maintaining underground networks.