Some signs of tension emerge among Islamic State militants

[webfact]

Some signs of tension emerge among Islamic State militants
By ZEINA KARAM

BEIRUT (AP) — As the Islamic State group tries to expand and take root across the Middle East, it is struggling in Syria — part of its heartland — where it has stalled or even lost ground while fighting multiple enemies on several fronts.

Signs of tension and power struggles are emerging among the ranks of its foreign fighters.

The extremists remain a formidable force, and the group's hold on about a third of Iraq and Syria remains firm. But it appears to be on the defensive in Syria for the first time since it swept through the territory last year and is suffering from months of U.S.-led coalition airstrikes and the myriad factions fighting it on the ground.

"They are struggling with new challenges that did not exist before," said Lina Khatib, director of the Carnegie Middle East Center in Beirut.

Kurdish forces dealt the Islamic State its heaviest setback by driving it from the border town of Kobani in northern Syria last month. Since then, those forces have joined with moderate Syrian rebels to take back about 215 villages in the same area, according to Kurdish commanders and activists, including the Britain-based monitoring group, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

The gains have strained supply lines between the Islamic State group's westernmost strongholds in Aleppo province from its core territory in eastern Syria. The Kurdish-rebel forces are now expected to take the fight to some of those strongholds, particularly the large towns of Minbij and Jarablus, as well as Tal Abyad, a border crossing with Turkey that is a major avenue for commerce for the extremists.

Around the town of al-Bab, one of the IS group's westernmost strongholds, the extremists are making tactical withdrawals. Residents have noted a thinner militant presence in al-Bab.

The militants are also finding themselves bogged down in costly battles with the government forces of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

The extremist group, also known as ISIS or ISIL, has been stuck in fierce fighting with the Syrian army near the Deir el-Zour air base, the last major Syrian military stronghold in the eastern province. IS launched an unsuccessful attack to seize the base last month, and it continues to try.

It is too early to call the shifts a turning point, but they represent the slow grind of the international campaign against the Islamic State group, which long seemed unconquerable as it seized territory stretching from outside the city of Aleppo in northern Syria's at one end to the outskirts of the Iraqi capital of Baghdad at the other.

In Iraq, the combination of coalition airstrikes, Kurdish forces, Shiite militias and Iraqi troops have pushed IS back around the edges, but the militants succeeded this week in taking new territory for the first time in months. They also raised new alarms with the presence of their affiliate in Libya.

But it was in the Syrian town of Kobani that the Islamic State suffered its worst single loss — more than 1,000 militants killed — and much of its heavy weaponry and vehicles destroyed. The January defeat followed five months of fighting by mostly Kurdish ground forces and coalition airstrikes that left about 70 percent of the town in ruins and sent tens of thousands of its residents fleeing over the nearby border into Turkey.

After the loss of Kobani, signs of fissures within the IS group have emerged.

Bari Abdellatif, a resident of al-Bab who also has fled to Turkey, said friction between Chechen and Uzbek militants recently led to clashes between the two that ended only with the intervention of Omar al-Shishani, a prominent Chechen IS commander. At least two senior figures were killed because of the internal strife, he said.

"The prolonged battle for Kobani caused a lot of tensions — fighters accused each other of treachery and eventually turned on each other," Abdellatif said.

Several other activists confirmed recent clashes between factions from different national backgrounds within IS.

Last month, a senior official with the group's Hisba, or vice police, was found beheaded in Deir el-Zour province. A cigarette was stuffed in his mouth, apparently trying to show he was killed for smoking, which is banned by IS, but there are suspicions the official — an Egyptian — was killed by the extremists who suspected him of spying.

An activist based in the group's de facto capital of Raqqa, Syria, said foreign fighters bicker over administrative and financial issues. Several militants have been killed on suspicion of spying or trying to defect.

"Daesh tries to portray itself as one thing, but beneath the surface there's a lot of dirt," the activist said, using the Arabic acronym for the group and speaking on condition of anonymity out of concern for his security.

Earlier this month, the extremists dismissed one of the group's religious officials in Aleppo province and referred him to a religious court after he objected to the immolation of a captured Jordanian air force pilot, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

"IS is now beginning to struggle to keep its own forces coherent — and this is separate from all the external factors that are impacting it negatively," Khatib said.

She said the new troubles have a lot to do with the fact that IS in Syria is operating in the context of a civil war where people become greedy and refuse to cede power to others.

"Even ISIS is not immune from the warlord phenomenon that takes place in the context of civil war and is being witnessed in Syria today," she said.

In Raqqa, stepped-up coalition airstrikes in response to the Jordanian pilot's killing has shaken the group, activists say.

An anti-IS media collective called Raqqa is Being Slaughtered Silently said the extremists have been forcing residents to donate blood after dozens of fighters were seriously wounded. It also reported that the group recently imposed a nighttime curfew and put up nighttime roadblocks to curb desertions by members trying to reach Turkey.

While foreigners from around the globe have joined IS, many disillusioned new recruits have left or are trying to leave, finding life to be very different and more violent than they had expected.

The Observatory says the militant group has killed more than 120 of its own members in the past six months, most of them foreign fighters hoping to return home.

"When we take all these little puzzle pieces together and we assemble our mosaic, it's very clear that they're having issues. ... I believe that they are hurting," said Scott Stewart, vice president of Tactical Analysis at Stratfor, a global intelligence and advisory firm.

Faysal Itani, a resident fellow at the Atlantic Council, said it has become more difficult for IS to make substantial territorial progress, but the group still does not face any significant challenge to its rule in its strongholds.

"ISIS continues to build support among tribal groups, and attract fighters defecting from other insurgent groups," he said.


-- (c) Associated Press 2015-02-20

[Mosha]

Perhaps the West should arm the good ones.

[Somtamnication]

Good to know. In a pig pen, the pigs always fight.

[NeverSure]

Perhaps the West should arm the good ones.

The UK and Us just agreed they wouldn't do that. Too much insecurity about where the arms wind up, and too much insecurity about who the good ones actually are down the road.

[Scott]

I believe that decision was about Libya, but I could be wrong. Does it also include Syria/Iraq?

[maidee]

maybe we will see more lonewolf actions in the west ?

[rethaier]

Perhaps the West should arm the good ones.

I suppose you mean those good ones that will use those same weapons against us tomorrow. Get real.

[JockPieandBeans]

Splits normally occur in terrorist factions.

It usually occurs when some decide that they want to be more extreme than they currently are.

[Mosha]

Perhaps the West should arm the good ones.

I suppose you mean those good ones that will use those same weapons against us tomorrow. Get real.

I was being facetious.

[dapperdan]

The Black Flag is on the E U doorstep, within driving distance of Euro countries. Euros just sit on their asses expecting the Americans to do the dirty work without lifting a finger. If the Americans are going to be the Euro security guards, at least pay them for it.

[siampolee]

Start by sanitising Saudi Arabia, isolate the Ibn Sauds and then see what happens to the funding of these terrorist groups if those who are financing matters suddenly come to realise that their future could indeed be bleak.

The Ibn Saud clan are about as trustworthy as an angry rattlesnake as Saudi and Ibn Saud history conclusively proves. the Saudi's are expert at condoning military activities, they do of course as a window dressing exercise involve themselves in such matters but without actually seeing action so to speak.

The west needs to rebuild its bridges with Iran and also to try and restore Iraq to some semblance of order as well as Libya.

We are now reaping the harvest of the seeds of conflicts that should never have been,

As to who is to blame for the situation , well the list is big, false information, black flag operations and more than one nation keeping conflict on the boils so as the region is a divided region for those nations benefit.

Lawrence of Arabia had the situation worked out how many years ago and we still are not nor will not it seems learn the lessons of the comments he made concerning the actions political and military wise at that time and the eventual outcomes.

http://www.antiwar.com/orig/lawrence.php

http://www.newstatesman.com/books/2008/05/arab-lawrence-british-iraq

Edited February 20, 2015 by siampolee

[siampolee]

dapperdan post # 10

The Black Flag is on the E U doorstep, within driving distance of Euro countries. Euros just sit on their asses expecting the Americans to do the dirty work without lifting a finger. If the Americans are going to be the Euro security guards, at least pay them for it.

Therein lies the catalyst for the current situation.

American influence in leading the west into a conflict that should have never been, a conflict based as we know know on a web of deceit and for who's benefit one must ask ask.

[neverdie]

Perhaps the West should arm the good ones.

It's like Groundhog Day

[Scott]

If what we have seen so far is how they act when they are calm, I can only imagine what's going to happen if they are feeling a little tense.

[Paulc01]

My only question is: does ISIS represent what Arab Muslim social and political governance looks like when freed from the colonial borders and Western ideological influence that Middle Eastern countries have been complaining about for the past 65+ years?

[Seastallion]

Splits normally occur in terrorist factions.

It usually occurs when some decide that they want to be more extreme than they currently are.

Is this from your imagination, the movies, or something factual that you can show us?

From my imagination, I would think that splits can occur for many reasons, most especially from desire for power. There's a lot of booty (loot, not rapster booty...and maybe some of that booty too) to be had when you're top dog of an invading force.

[Seastallion]

If what we have seen so far is how they act when they are calm, I can only imagine what's going to happen if they are feeling a little tense.

Hopefully they'll implode.

[JockPieandBeans]

Splits normally occur in terrorist factions.

It usually occurs when some decide that they want to be more extreme than they currently are.

Is this from your imagination, the movies, or something factual that you can show us?

From my imagination, I would think that splits can occur for many reasons, most especially from desire for power. There's a lot of booty (loot, not rapster booty...and maybe some of that booty too) to be had when you're top dog of an invading force.

Have a look at the history of the OIRA.

Then start researching other terrorist organisations.

Then come back and apologise.

Edited February 20, 2015 by JockPieandBeans

[Morch]

Splits normally occur in terrorist factions.

It usually occurs when some decide that they want to be more extreme than they currently are.

In as much as one assumes that leaders of factions actually uphold ideals.

I would venture that many times splits attributed to ideological and religious differences have more to do with power struggles and personal issues.

[Don Aleman]

Oh no ! Better not get them mad or they will rotisse you or cut off your head !

[car720]

I believe that decision was about Libya, but I could be wrong. Does it also include Syria/Iraq?

I thought that they already were.

Aren't they arming the Iraqis and Kurds already?

The new God of War must be rubbing his hands together.

[car720]

The Black Flag is on the E U doorstep, within driving distance of Euro countries. Euros just sit on their asses expecting the Americans to do the dirty work without lifting a finger. If the Americans are going to be the Euro security guards, at least pay them for it.

I think the EU is waiting and holding reserves for the big one that is coming from the north east.

[NeverSure]

I believe that decision was about Libya, but I could be wrong. Does it also include Syria/Iraq?

You are right about that. Sorry.

[Seastallion]

Splits normally occur in terrorist factions.

It usually occurs when some decide that they want to be more extreme than they currently are.

Is this from your imagination, the movies, or something factual that you can show us?

From my imagination, I would think that splits can occur for many reasons, most especially from desire for power. There's a lot of booty (loot, not rapster booty...and maybe some of that booty too) to be had when you're top dog of an invading force.

Have a look at the history of the OIRA.

Then start researching other terrorist organisations.

Then come back and apologise.

Apologise for asking a question and then offering a suggestion? Ayatollahs and caliphs demand that sort of unquestioning belief, I'm told.

You still haven't given us any facts regarding your assertion that the split are from someone's desire to get more extreme.

[JockPieandBeans]

Splits normally occur in terrorist factions.

It usually occurs when some decide that they want to be more extreme than they currently are.

Is this from your imagination, the movies, or something factual that you can show us?

From my imagination, I would think that splits can occur for many reasons, most especially from desire for power. There's a lot of booty (loot, not rapster booty...and maybe some of that booty too) to be had when you're top dog of an invading force.

Have a look at the history of the OIRA.

Then start researching other terrorist organisations.

Then come back and apologise.

Apologise for asking a question and then offering a suggestion? Ayatollahs and caliphs demand that sort of unquestioning belief, I'm told.

You still haven't given us any facts regarding your assertion that the split are from someone's desire to get more extreme.

'' Is this from your imagination, the movies, or something factual that you can show us? ''

Facts. Like I said. Try researching the history of OIRA and what it morphed into.

Then try researching other terrorist organisations.

Its simple. I do not need to give you facts, when I can give you the material to research.

[Scott]

Off-topic, troll post and replies removed. This is about the internal situation of ISIS, so I think we can leave Bush and Blair out of the discussion.

[rijb]

My only question is: does ISIS represent what Arab Muslim social and political governance looks like when freed from the colonial borders and Western ideological influence that Middle Eastern countries have been complaining about for the past 65+ years?

"much of what the group does looks nonsensical except in light of a sincere, carefully considered commitment to returning civilization to a seventh-century legal environment, and ultimately to bringing about the apocalypse."

http://www.theatlantic.com/features/archive/2015/02/what-isis-really-wants/384980/

[Seastallion]

Is this from your imagination, the movies, or something factual that you can show us?

From my imagination, I would think that splits can occur for many reasons, most especially from desire for power. There's a lot of booty (loot, not rapster booty...and maybe some of that booty too) to be had when you're top dog of an invading force.

Have a look at the history of the OIRA.

Then start researching other terrorist organisations.

Then come back and apologise.

Apologise for asking a question and then offering a suggestion? Ayatollahs and caliphs demand that sort of unquestioning belief, I'm told.

You still haven't given us any facts regarding your assertion that the split are from someone's desire to get more extreme.

'' Is this from your imagination, the movies, or something factual that you can show us? ''

Facts. Like I said. Try researching the history of OIRA and what it morphed into.

Then try researching other terrorist organisations.

Its simple. I do not need to give you facts, when I can give you the material to research.

I believe the general way of doing things when you claim a fact is to back it up with proof when questioned.

For example, if I was to say, "ISIS is splitting up because Chechen thugs want more power than their Ukrainian thug counterparts so as to be able to get the prize captured virgins and all the gold".

Don't believe me, google it.

[JockPieandBeans]

.

Have a look at the history of the OIRA.

Then start researching other terrorist organisations.

Then come back and apologise.

Apologise for asking a question and then offering a suggestion? Ayatollahs and caliphs demand that sort of unquestioning belief, I'm told.

You still haven't given us any facts regarding your assertion that the split are from someone's desire to get more extreme.

'' Is this from your imagination, the movies, or something factual that you can show us? ''

Facts. Like I said. Try researching the history of OIRA and what it morphed into.

Then try researching other terrorist organisations.

Its simple. I do not need to give you facts, when I can give you the material to research.

I believe the general way of doing things when you claim a fact is to back it up with proof when questioned.

For example, if I was to say, "ISIS is splitting up because Chechen thugs want more power than their Ukrainian thug counterparts so as to be able to get the prize captured virgins and all the gold".

Don't believe me, google it.

What you believe is irrelevant.

You claimed it was my imagination.

I gave you the base material.

Now try googling it, as you like to advise others to do.

Then you can perhaps come back with a valid argument.

[car720]

Apologise for asking a question and then offering a suggestion? Ayatollahs and caliphs demand that sort of unquestioning belief, I'm told.

You still haven't given us any facts regarding your assertion that the split are from someone's desire to get more extreme.

'' Is this from your imagination, the movies, or something factual that you can show us? ''

Facts. Like I said. Try researching the history of OIRA and what it morphed into.

Then try researching other terrorist organisations.

Its simple. I do not need to give you facts, when I can give you the material to research.

Wow!!

Talking about faction infighting.

When we should be fighting them we are fighting ourselves.

In which way are they any different?