Part 18
Written by: Abu Hajjar al-Kurdi
A Summary of ISIS Crimes in Syria
In the previous seventeen parts of this series, we have examined the crimes committed by ISIS across various regions of Syria and the detrimental impact it has had on the Ummah. While it is not possible to delve into every incident in detail, even brief references and small glimpses suffice to reveal the destructive actions of this misguided group.
Below, the key atrocities ISIS left behind in Syria are summarized—actions now etched into the pages of history.
1. Fighting Against Other Jihadi Groups
Instead of directing its efforts toward its primary adversary—the Bashar al-Assad regime and its foreign supporters—ISIS turned its weaponry against fellow Islamic factions. It first engaged in conflict with Jabhat al-Nusra (an affiliate of al-Qaeda in Syria) and subsequently waged war against other mujahideen groups, such as Ahrar al-Sham and Jaysh al-Islam. These internal conflicts greatly undermined the Islamic opposition against the regime and its allies, leading to a dispersal of resources and attention away from the true struggle.
2. Sowing Division Among Muslims
Rather than fostering unity with other Islamic groups for a common cause, ISIS branded them as apostates (takfir) and identified any faction that refused to swear allegiance as its enemy. This policy deeply disheartened and disillusioned numerous Muslims who had journeyed to Syria to partake in jihad, creating profound divisions and fragmentation among the various factions combatting tyranny.
3. Barbaric Behavior and Tarnishing the Image of Jihad
The harsh methods employed by ISIS, such as mass executions, public beheadings, and the implementation of “hudud” (Islamic punishments) without observance of proper Sharia principles, provided Western media and adversaries of Islam with ample ammunition to discredit the notion of jihad and the mujahideen. These actions not only distanced global Muslim backing but also discouraged many who had previously stood in solidarity with the Syrian cause.
4. Suspicious Collaborations and Exploitation by Enemies
Significant evidence and analysis indicate that ISIS, on various occasions, indirectly served the interests of the Assad regime and even Western powers. For instance, ISIS frequently launched sudden assaults in areas where opponents of the regime were concentrated, weakening the opposition and facilitating the regime’s reassertion of control.
Moreover, reports suggest that the Assad regime released certain prisoners with affiliations to ISIS, thereby enabling the group’s expansion while eliminating rival Islamic factions.
5. Undermining the Aspiration for an Islamic Caliphate
By hastily declaring a “caliphate” without fulfilling the necessary Sharia conditions or demonstrating competent governance, ISIS severely tarnished the concept of an Islamic Caliphate. Many Muslims who initially harbored aspirations for an Islamic state became disillusioned upon witnessing the group’s atrocities and misrule. This disillusionment culminated in widespread despair and a loss of hope among supporters of jihad and the mujahideen.
Conclusion
In this section, we have briefly summarized the devastating impact of ISIS’s actions in Syria. While we have not been able to cover every detail, we hope our readers have gained a deeper understanding of the dark legacy left by Baghdadi’s followers.
In the next part of this series, we will delve into ISIS’s betrayal and treachery against the Sunnis of Iraq, continuing our exploration of the group’s destructive role in the region.
