The terrorist group that has conquered large areas of Iraq and Syria has declared their territory an Islamic caliphate, and they’re demanding the support of Muslims all over the world.
The Sunni al-Qaida breakaway group known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) has renamed itself the “Islamic State,” ringing in a “new era of jihad.”
On Sunday, they called on the world’s Muslims to pledge obedience to their leader, or “caliph,” Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi.
The move could set off in-fighting between ISIS fighters and less militant Sunnis who joined them to take down the Iraqi government.
In the meantime, Iraqi’s military is stepping up its defense against ISIS with the help of the United States.
“Clearly, I see ISIS as a direct threat to the United States,” Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., told CBS’ Face the Nation. “They have the capacity, and I believe they have the intent.”
“They have stated it in terms of their opposition to the whole Western world. They are the richest, most powerful and most savage group of terrorists in the history of mankind,” he warned.
Meanwhile, there are already reports of fighting between Muslim factions for control of border crossings between those two countries.
