Part 22
By Hijaz Tamim
The practice of paying ransom to ISIS has evolved into a serious and complex threat, one that touches global security, human dignity, the rule of law, and the stability of economies. Although families often view ransom as the quickest way to save a kidnapped relative, the money they provide ends up fueling one of ISIS’s most dependable financial lifelines. Any meaningful attempt to curb this problem must begin with a clear understanding of the challenges involved, followed by a strategy that is both practical and coherent.
One of the foremost obstacles is the legal environment surrounding ransom payments. Many governments legally classify these transfers as terrorist financing, and United Nations Security Council resolutions such as 1373 and 2199 supply a framework intended to choke off ISIS’s funding streams. In reality, however, the urgency of a hostage situation often overrides legal restrictions, making enforcement inconsistent and, at times, ineffective.
A second challenge comes from the unbearable emotional strain placed on families. When a loved one is in captivity, fear and desperation can overshadow broader national policies. These emotional pressures weaken the impact of anti-ransom laws and make it difficult for authorities to maintain a firm stance.
A third difficulty lies in ISIS’s ability to conceal its financial dealings. The group relies on a mix of cryptocurrencies, hawala transfers, and layers of intermediaries, all designed to keep transactions hidden from scrutiny. This use of covert financial channels makes it extremely difficult for investigators to trace funds or dismantle the networks that move them. The problem is compounded by an uneven international response. Some governments quietly authorize ransom payments to secure the release of their citizens, while others maintain a strict ban. This disparity creates opportunities that ISIS skillfully exploits, often tailoring its kidnappings toward nations that are more likely to pay.
Limited public awareness hinders understanding of the long-term consequences. Many people focus solely on the immediate imperative of saving a life, without understanding that ransom payments ultimately strengthen ISIS’s financial architecture. Meanwhile, the lack of viable alternatives further complicates government policy. Special operations designed to rescue hostages exist, but they are dangerous, expensive, and far from guaranteed to succeed. This leaves officials with few practical options in the most critical moments.
Addressing these intertwined challenges requires a broad and coordinated effort.
– International cooperation: Countries must expand intelligence sharing and establish unified monitoring systems capable of tracking ISIS’s financial networks in real time.
– Support for families and credible rescue options: Emotional and legal support can ease family pressures, while professional rescue teams equipped with modern capabilities can offer alternatives that do not enrich ISIS.
– Modern financial monitoring: Authorities must scrutinize suspicious transactions, study cryptocurrency flows, and impose tighter controls on informal networks such as hawala in order to expose hidden funding channels.
– Public education: Raising awareness about the long-term consequences of ransom payments helps reduce emotional pressure and strengthens community support for stricter policies.
– Firm enforcement of the law: Ransom-related cases should be handled transparently, and penalties must be applied consistently to deter future violations.
– Regional engagement: Bringing community leaders, scholars, and civil society members into the effort helps counter extremist influence and reinforces societal resistance.
In the final analysis, stopping ransom payments to ISIS cannot be achieved through a single policy or institution. It requires the combined force of international collaboration, community engagement, technological oversight, legal consistency, and strong public awareness. Only through such a united effort can ISIS be stripped of one of its most reliable sources of revenue, laying the foundation for its long-term decline.
