With dreams of "Caliphate" archived, ISIS looks to guerrilla tactics to revive jihad
Defeated on the military level, the group changes strategy and invites the militants to deepen their knowledge. On jihadist websites details on "hit and run" attacks. A tactic that appears to yield with numerous attacks on a global scale. US expert: the Islamic State "is still very dangerous".
Baghdad (AsiaNews) - After losing almost all of its territory in Syria and Iraq, thus seeing the sun set on the dream of a "caliphate" set forever, Islamic State leaders (IS, formerly Isis) seem to have changed the strategy to favor guerrilla warfare. Websites linked to the jihadist group are posting a variety of fighting techniques and inviting militants to deepen their knowledge.
In recent weeks the online magazine al-Naba, linked to the fundamentalist group, has encouraged its readers to adopt guerrilla tactics, publishing detailed instructions on how to carry out the so-called "hit and run" actions. Jihadist leaders have decided to adopt this type of combat, which could be used beyond the borders of Syria and Iraq.
Analysts and experts recall that ISIS had adopted this technique in the past, albeit occasionally. Today, however, it has been formalized through guidelines that outline it as a standard procedure in the context of military operations.
After a rapid rise between the second half of 2014 and 2105 in Syria and Iraq to conquer half of the two nations territory and staining it with horrendous crimes against humanity, the jihadists have progressively lost ground. Today they control a small area straddling the two countries that is becoming increasingly restricted following the advance of the regular armies of the two countries. Despite this the ideology remains alive and a military defeat does not erase the threat.
After all, the new tactics adopted by the Islamic State seem to be gaining ground, as evidenced by the numerous attacks that have occurred in the last period at the global level. Even in places where so far the "Caliph" militias had failed to penetrate. "The sad reality - emphasizes Rita Katz, executive director of Site Intelligence Group - is that ISIS is still very dangerous". Hassan Abu Hanieh, Jordanian expert on Islam, confirms that ISIS has recently used guerrilla tactics to conquer - even if only for a short time - citizens and gain visibility.
Meanwhile, dramatic news continues to come from thousands of people fleeing violence in northwest Syira. UN sources and NGOs in the medical sector confirm the offensive launched by the government army supported by its Russian ally, aimed at regaining the last bastion still in the hands of jihadist opposition groups and militias. In recent days, the government has multiplied air raids, hitting towns and villages in the southern sector of the rebel enclave, causing several casualties even among civilians.
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