1. The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria
ISIS
The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria

2. Creation of ISIS
2004 – Abu Musab al-Zarqawi establsihes al Qaeda in Iraq (AQI)
2006 – AQI launches war on Shia in Iraq
June 7, 2006 – al-Zarqawi killed in US strike
Replaced by Abu Ayyub al-Masri

3. Oct. 2006 – AQI announces creation of Islamic State in Iraq (ISI)
Abu Omar al-Baghdadi leader
April 2010 – Abu Omar al-Baghdadi and Abu Ayyab al-Masri killed in US-Iraqi operation
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi becomes leader

4. April 8, 2013 – ISI absorbs Jabhat al-Nusra
Al-Qaeda backed group in Syria
ISI renamed Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS)
February 3, 2014 – al-Qaeda cuts ties to ISIS

5. ISIS takes Iraq June 2014 ISIS forces begin seizing sites in Iraq
Mosul
Tikrit
Al-Qaim
June 29 – ISIS announces creation of caliphate
Erases state border
Al-Baghdadi declared authority over world’s 1.5 billion Muslims

6. ISIS enters Syria July 2014 ISIS crosses border into Syria
Takes control of oil fields
Generates $6 million per day

8. ISIS beheads James Foley
August 19, 2014
US Journalist
Missing in Syria since 2012

9. Steven Sotloff Executed
September 2, 2014
US Journalist
Same executioner as James Foley

10. Execution of David Haines
September 13, 2014
British Aid Worker
Retaliation for Britain’s “evil alliance with America”
Alan Henning threatened

11. US Airstrikes September 23, 2014
US bombs ISIS stronghold in northern Syria

12. Alan Henning
Oct. 3, 2014
British Humanitarian Aid Worker