The extremist organization "Islamic State" has announced responsibility for the explosion in Kerman, Iran. How should this action be interpreted?

Understanding ISIS: A Notorious Jihadist Organization

The Islamic State, previously known as the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS), is a jihadist organization active in Iraq and Syria. It follows an extremely conservative interpretation of Islam, advocating for Salafi Jihadism and revivalism within Sunni Islam. The group’s leader, Baghdadi, who was later eliminated, declared himself Caliph and proclaimed the territory under his control as the Islamic State.

The group claims sovereignty over all Muslims worldwide. Arab countries have derogatively nicknamed it “Daesh,” implying contempt similar to the colloquial “jerk.”

In the Levant region, ISIS is dedicated to establishing a theocratic Islamic state. It is a principal jihadist faction in the Syrian Civil War, not only battling the Syrian government forces but also other opposition groups, contributing significantly to the turmoil.

Four years after the Arab Spring initiated by the United States in the Middle East in 2010, the Islamic State expanded its influence in the Arab region, including Libya, Egypt, Algeria, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.

One of the most heinous activities of ISIS is the beheading of captives, including journalists and civilians, and broadcasting these executions online. Japanese hostage Kenji Goto and many British captives were among those executed, with the volume of British hostages so high that queues for execution were reported.

The group gained infamy in 2014 for burning Jordanian pilot Muath Al-Kasasbeh alive in a metal cage and broadcasting the cruelty online. This act drew global condemnation and even a rare denouncement from Al-Qaeda, citing it as a deviation from Islamic norms.

ISIS’s actions have led the majority of nations and organizations, including the United Nations, to designate it as a terrorist organization.

In 2014, Al-Qaeda severed all ties with ISIS due to its extreme and brutal tactics. A 21-page letter from a senior Bin Laden aide condemned ISIS’s atrocities, including bombing mosques, carrying out bloody ethnic cleansings contrary to Quranic teachings, using chemical weapons, and massacring believers in Baghdad’s Catholic churches.

After 2017, with Russia’s military intervention in the Syrian Civil War and the Shiite forces' significant incursion into Iraq and Syria, the Islamic State faced a massive defeat. Its last military stronghold in Iraq, Rawa, was conquered by Iraqi forces in November 2017. By 2018, its territory had significantly diminished, retaining only a small area along the Euphrates River near the Iraq-Syria border.

On March 23, 2019, the last ISIS military stronghold in Syria, the village of Baghuz, was captured by the Syrian Democratic Forces backed by the United States. However, remnants of the Islamic State still lurk in Iraq, Syria, Nigeria, Afghanistan, the Philippines, and globally.

ISIS’s funding primarily came from oil revenue within its territory. However, after the United Nations prohibited oil trade with ISIS and the United States bombed its oil infrastructure, its financial support shifted mainly to Sunni countries in the Gulf.

Analysts believe that Gulf countries and Turkey covertly supported ISIS to counter Shiite expansion. After the oil trade ban, Turkey became a major transshipment point for ISIS. The reduction of ISIS has not been accidental; the U.S. military needs an enemy in the Middle East for continuous funding, and the U.S. government needs a Sunni organization to counterbalance Iran. Thus, after ISIS was scattered, it became highly fragmented, with many smaller groups either disappearing or continuing illicit activities under the banner of ISIS, funded by the U.S. and Israel.

ISIS is a Sunni extremist group, and it is capable of baffling even Al-Qaeda, which is also Sunni, with its actions. It’s not surprising they engage in such activities… For them, targeting Shia is not considered excessive; these individuals… no, they should not be called people, these beasts bombing Sunni wouldn’t surprise me either.

Insights into ISIS Claims and Activities

“Islamic State” not only claimed responsibility for the attack but also derogated Shia as heretics in its statement and criticized Palestinian factions for allying with Iranian heretics, claiming that Iranians are merely using Palestinians.

The Iranian officials have not acknowledged the claims of the “Islamic State,” but its official media have relayed the related reports.

Additionally, according to the reports broadcasted by the Islamic Republic News Agency on Iranian National Television, surveillance footage showed that the explosion in Kerman was triggered by two suicide bombers, aligning with the “Islamic State’s” statement.

Aaron Zelin, a senior researcher at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said in an interview that the “Islamic State’s” statement originated from the group’s Telegram channel. While not as explicitly detailed as in the past about which regional branch they belong to, he speculated it might be the recently more active Afghan branch of the “Islamic State.”

Zelin mentioned that the “Islamic State” Afghan branch has consistently regarded Shias as heretics and marked them as a primary target. In 2017, they orchestrated attacks on the Iranian parliament and Khomeini’s mausoleum; in 2022, they claimed responsibility for an attack on a Shia holy site that resulted in 15 deaths.

Due to the Taliban’s crackdown on “Islamic State,” the Afghan branch is currently fleeing Afghanistan and spreading to countries like Iran and Pakistan, while also orchestrating new attacks in these nations.

For these jihadists, who are ostracized by various Islamic states, Islamic rulers and Western governments are equally enemies. There is no grand anti-West alliance as some might imagine. In fact, because of the significant intensification of counter-terrorism by Western countries, Islamic nations have become easier targets, warranting more attacks by extremist fighters.

Scattered, scattered, it turns out it’s the IS (Islamic State) fighting against the Persian cat. Since it’s a battle between religious sects, unrelated folks should just watch the excitement and not get involved in other people’s business. It’s better to stay away when the gods are fighting.

Iran and ISIS: Sectarian Conflict

Iran is predominantly Shia, while ISIS adheres to the Sunni branch of Islam. Iran actively participated in the efforts to eradicate ISIS as far back as 2017.

ISIS has been conducting attacks within Iran over the years, with clear motives and capabilities.

It seems even ISIS is puzzled, as they tirelessly worked to make headlines, and yet, after their downfall, no one remembers them.

Why was ISIS overlooked?

P.S.: After its recognition, ISIS began calling on all Muslims to kill Jews and Christians.

No wonder Iran collaborated with the United States to eradicate ISIS; it was like dealing with a chaotic natural disaster…

There’s a kind of brain deficiency in the mix.

Israel’s Complex Relationship with ISIS

It reminds one of the “Zhihu netizens” who, three months ago, comically equated the East Turkestan Islamic Movement (ETIM) with Hamas after Hamas’s attack on Israel, citing their common Muslim identity.

What they didn’t know was that ETIM had expressed support for Israel.

Similarly, ISIS is the only force in proximity to Israel that has not engaged in conflicts with Israel. Instead, Israel and ISIS have had a complicated relationship, leaving the details to one’s imagination.

• On August 23, 2016, an Israeli think tank suggested, “Don’t eliminate ISIS; it’s a useful tool against Iran, Hezbollah, and Syria.”
• On June 21, 2016, the head of Israeli intelligence stated, “We don’t want ISIS to be defeated in Syria.”
• On January 19, 2016, Israel’s Defense Minister said, “I prefer ISIS over Iran in Syria.”
• On December 7, 2014, a UN report revealed that Israel had regular contacts with Syrian rebels, including ISIS.

The dynamics are intricate.

The United States Isn’t to Blame

The United States got it right this time; they indeed didn’t carry out this attack.

It’s highly likely that the Islamic State (ISIS) was directly instigated by the United States.

This ISIS seems to have a hint of “Al-Qaeda 2.0” about it. Al-Qaeda was one of the extremist Islamic armed groups that the United States supported back in the day. They nurtured these organizations to counter the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan. After successfully driving out the Soviet forces, these Islamic armed groups, upon reflection, realized that the biggest problem in the Arab world was, in fact, the United States.

This led to the events of 9/11.

Now, the Islamic State (ISIS) is the new generation of extremist organizations that the United States supported and used. Who knows, in the end, they might end up following in Osama bin Laden’s footsteps…

The top cylinder is here.

Israel is getting anxious: Are you saying you did it, and it was you?

After cursing the Islamic State, Israel glanced at his son, a cowardly guy! Say, did you instruct him to say that? Can’t you be a bit tougher? Aren’t you unbeatable all over the world? You’ve fought several battles in the Middle East, so why is it so difficult for you to help your dad grab some territory this time? What’s Iran anyway? Look at your bear-like appearance, and you even withdrew the USS Ford aircraft carrier? Is that necessary?

You’re not going, are you?

You wait for me.

This is not up to you!

Is it true that “Islamic State” (ISIS) has carried out operations in the Middle East but has not targeted Israel?

ISIS has been known for its extreme and brutal actions, to the extent that even “Al-Qaeda” considers them ruthless. Many major Middle Eastern terrorist organizations distance themselves from ISIS, as it represents the most radical faction within the Muslim community.

However, it is surprising that they have avoided any conflict with Jewish Zionism, which is deeply despised even by the most moderate Muslims. What are your thoughts on this?

Iran Announces: Green Extremists Behind Recent Bombings

The news, officially announced by Iran, seems to confirm suspicions. Now we understand the severity of the green extremists' actions; they are willing to harm even their own people, and even Al-Qaeda is cautious of them.

It’s no wonder that the Middle East rulers keep their distance. After being neighbors for decades, these green extremists seem to understand their neighbors better than the rulers themselves.

Currently, I am reading a compilation to see how these extremists will try to justify or deflect responsibility for their actions.

In summary, it appears they rely on emotional manipulation, seeking likes and followers while blaming the United States for all their problems.

Can you guess whether the Green Extremists and the Houthi rebels will evolve into something like ISIS?

In Iran’s Kerman city, a series of explosions have occurred, resulting in 95 casualties. What is the current situation?

Evil needs to be polished by evil. Get some melon seeds and popcorn to watch reptiles fight and laugh.

Is ISIS Official Announcement Equivalent to Israel and the United States Official Announcement?

ISIS was created by the United States as a replica of the al-Qaeda organizational structure, resembling the early days of al-Qaeda’s white glove approach. This should be considered common knowledge.

@Commentary Captain LouLouDog

Either it’s really him doing it, Or he’s anxious to be pulled out and blamed.

It’s time to learn English.

I hope you can condemn this “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” behavior.

Previously, it was unclear whether Israel and ISIS were just rumors or had any truth to them, but now it’s almost confirmed.

So you see, religious issues are not really the problem.