Islamic State facts for kids

The Islamic State (IS) is an extremist group. It is also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), or Daesh. This group is not recognized as a real country by the United Nations or most governments.

IS started in 2004 as an organization called Jai'sh al-Taifa al-Mansurah. It worked with another group, Al-Qaeda in Iraq, during a conflict in Iraq. In 2014, IS became widely known. Its members took control of large areas in Iraq and Syria. They took advantage of the ongoing Syrian civil war.

The Islamic State is known for its serious violations of human rights. They harmed many people, including Christians and Shia Muslims. By 2015, IS was seen as one of the biggest extremist groups. It controlled an area with about twelve million people. They forced their strict rules, called Islamic law, on everyone. The group also had a lot of money and many fighters.

After a long conflict with forces from America, Iraq, and the Kurds, IS lost all its land in the Middle East by 2019. Since then, they have used different fighting methods. They hide in remote areas and spread their messages online. They have gained followers in parts of Africa.

How the Islamic State Started

Between 2004 and 2013, IS was connected to al-Qaeda. During this time, it was mostly known as the "Islamic State of Iraq." It fought against the American presence in Iraq.

Later, the group changed its name to "Islamic State of Iraq and Levant." After about a year, they declared themselves a worldwide caliphate. A caliphate is a type of Islamic state led by a religious leader. They called themselves simply the Islamic State.

As a self-declared caliphate, IS demanded that Muslims worldwide obey them. However, most mainstream Muslims and governments did not accept their claims.

Losing Territory and Continued Actions

Over the years, the Iraqi Armed Forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces fought against IS. They weakened the group's money and fighting power. By March 2019, IS lost the last of its land in West Asia. However, it still had a presence in Africa as of 2023.

The United Nations and many other groups have officially called IS a terrorist organization. IS is known for its severe human rights violations. When they controlled northern Iraq, they carried out a genocide against Yazidis. They also harmed Christians and Shia Muslims.

IS has also carried out attacks in places outside the areas they controlled. These events are widely called terrorist attacks. Examples include the November 2015 Paris attacks, the 2024 Kerman bombings, and the Crocus City Hall attack in March 2024.

See also

In Spanish: Estado Islámico para niños