Part III Thematic Chapters, A Means and Methods of Warfare, 4 The conflict with Islamic State: a critical review of international legal issues

Subject(s):

Military assistance — Armed conflict, international — Armed conflict, non-international — Belligerence — Belligerents — Humanitarian intervention — Armed forces

This chapter looks into conflicts involving Islamic State (IS) which is a radical jihadist armed group that controls vast areas of territory in eastern Syria and across northern and western Iraq. Its exponential rise in 2014 as well as its brutality and cruel practices have sparked fear and outcry in the international community. Its existence has also raised numerous issues under international law, some of which are addressed in this chapter. However, before doing so, the chapter examines three preliminary questions in order to better understand the complexities of the issue at hand. These questions are: how did IS come to life? Is IS a State or a non-State actor? What are the main differences between IS and Al-Qaeda?