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The Structure, Financing, and Operational Capabilities of ISIS

A Complex and Adaptive Terrorist Organization

This report provides an overview of the terrorist organization ISIS, focusing on its structure, financing, and operational capabilities. Despite sustained international pressure, certain branches of ISIS remain highly operationally capable and financially significant.

Structure: A Looser, Networked Affiliation

  • ISIS has adopted a less hierarchical structure with networked affiliate groups.
  • Certain branches operate with near autonomy and are highly operationally capable.

Financing: Diminished Revenue and Illicit Activities

  • Sustained international pressure has resulted in diminished revenue and loss of several key financial facilitators.
  • The ISIS core still has access to dwindling cash reserves in Iraq and Syria, estimated to be around $25 million.
  • The group generates significant income through various illicit and criminal activities, including:
    • Kidnapping for ransom
    • Extortion

Key Affiliate Groups: A Global Presence

  • ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K): The largest ISIS threat to the United States, with ambitions and capabilities to conduct attacks beyond the Central Asia region.
  • ISIS-West Africa: One of the strongest and most capable ISIS affiliates in Africa, operating in the West African region.
  • ISIS-Democratic Republic of Congo (ISIS-DRC): A highly capable affiliate operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
  • ISIS-Somalia: Another strong and capable affiliate operating in Somalia.

Operations: Exploiting Regional Instability

  • ISIS continues to operate extensively throughout the African continent, exploiting regional instability, weak governance, and local conflicts and grievances.
  • The group has waged a “large-scale terrorism campaign” particularly in:
    • Cameroon
    • Chad
    • Niger
    • Nigeria

Conclusion: A Persistent Threat

While ISIS’s core strength has been somewhat diluted, certain branches remain highly operationally capable and financially significant.