Part 2
Author: Osama Humam
In the initial part of this article, information was presented regarding Saleem, who formerly belonged to the ISIS faction in Syria. In an interview with journalist Jürgen Todenhöfer, Saleem disclosed certain internal realities of ISIS.
During the continuation of the interview, Saleem asserts that members of ISIS are narrow-minded; their vision is limited, steadfast in their belief that they alone follow the correct path. Those who do not conform to their ideology or to their leader, Baghdadi, are considered invalid.
Saleem attributes the creation of division and disarray among genuine jihadist groups to ISIS. He elaborates on the fact that following their inability to achieve their objectives in Iraq in 2003, they were expelled from the territory and relocated to Syria, where they disrupted ongoing Jihadi efforts. Rather than uniting individuals under a single banner, they sowed discord among us.
In Syria, Jabhat al-Nusra was approaching victory and had successfully liberated numerous regions from government control. The triumphs and operational ease in Syria were largely due to the efforts of Jabhat al-Nusra, Ahrar al-Sham, and other associated jihadist factions.
When questioned about the objectives of ISIS, Saleem indicated that the group seeks power; Baghdadi is pursuing personal interests. Despite Jabhat al-Nusra’s imminent triumphs, ISIS Kharijites chose to engage in combat against Jabhat al-Nusra instead of prioritizing unity. Saleem further disclosed during the interview that a substantial number of ISIS members fell in battle against Jabhat al-Nusra.
A thorough examination of the historical background of the ISIS Kharijites and the revelations from various interviews underscore that ISIS is a takfiri, extremist entity that tarnishes the reputation of Islam. The leadership demonstrates a keen focus on personal gains, while the members, owing to their limited understanding, distort religious interpretations to rationalize the killing of fellow Muslims. Trivial reasons are perceived as sufficient justification for the elimination of a Muslim, yet they claim helplessness when confronted with non-Muslim adversaries.
It is evident that from its inception to the present day, the ISIS Kharijites persist in their endeavors to divide, debilitate, and eradicate jihadist groups, notably playing a pivotal role in subverting and fragmenting organizations such as al-Qaeda and Ahrar al-Sham.
In nations such as Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, and others, numerous former ISIS affiliates have surrendered upon recognizing the veracity, unveiling the true essence of this entity. Behind the curtains, ISIS constitutes an unsightly and failed faction that failed to establish an untainted caliphate on the righteous path or permit other global jihadist organizations to labor towards rekindling the former grandeur of the Islamic realm.
