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The
terrorist group ISIS, led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (pictured), has become
the wealthiest terror group in history through a combination of robbery and
extortion, and imposing taxes on its territory much a like a state
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The vast wealth generated
by oil fields, power plants, extortion, taxes, and the pillaging of antiquities
has rendered ISIS the most well-funded terrorist group in history, experts have
warned. With
an estimated £1.3billion fortune, the group can afford not only to pay foreign
fighters who join its cause in the Middle East, but easily expand beyond its
borders to launch attacks in the West.
A
new report illustrating the massive expansion ISIS has undertaken in the past
year offers chilling detail showing exactly how the organization is funded.
This
includes £1million per day in crude oil sales, kidnappings worth £30million per
annum, income taxes of 20 per cent across a population of 10 million, and
control of 40 per cent of Iraq's wheat production.
Daily Mail UK report continues:
This
wealth has allowed the group to flourish regionally and internationally, and
presents a unique challenge for world leaders attempting to suppress the
bloodthirsty jihadis.
Just
days after multiple ISIS terror cells massacred at least 129 people, Steve
Killelea, Executive Chairman of the Institute for Economics and Peace, told
MailOnline: 'We're seeing a change in tactics out of ISIS in the Middle East
that's epitomized by the attacks in Paris at the weekend.
'They're
developing tactics to extend. There's also a tendency by ISIS and Boko Haram to
target more civilians and that's a shift away from military people and
government targets.
'I
think what they're finding is that it creates greater mayhem, they can get more
casualties, and it's a softer target and we can certainly also see the effect
it's had on Paris over the weekend in creating panic among the general
population.'
He
added ISIS is now essentially functioning throughout Syria and Iraq as a state
using taxes, with a black market economy and mafia-style extortion tactics.
'I
think what we're looking at is a well-funded terrorist organization - the
funding gives it the ability to be able to pay for soldiers and fund terror
acts beyond its borders.'
His
comments come on the eve of the release of his organization’s Annual Terrorism
Index, which reveals ISIS and Nigeria-based Islamic militants Boko Haram are
the world's two deadliest terror groups.
Discounting
the estimated 20,000 deaths it inflicted on battlefields throughout the Middle
East, ISIS last year also caused 6,073 deaths in 1,071 terror attacks, making
it by far the most destructive group operating in the world today.
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This
table, documenting the increase in terror attacks in recent years, represents a
nine-fold increase from 2000 to 2014
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An
expert contribution to the report, provided by Christina Schori Liang from the
Geneva Centre for Security Policy, offered compelling detail on exactly how
ISIS is funding its wholesale slaughter.
She
described the 10 oilfields through Iraq and Syria controlled by the militants
as its 'black gold'.
'Oil
wealth serves several purposes: it provides energy needs for the estimated 10
million civilians living in [ISIS] controlled territory and it helps fuel the
war machine.
'More
importantly, oil is used as a leveraging device to control its enemies. Many
opposition forces are dependent on [ISIS] for diesel.'
Incredibly,
ISIS earns an estimated £1million every day selling 34,000 - 40,000 barrels of
crude oil at the well head to independent traders.
This
crude oil is then smuggled through the region by a black market network of
traders and is consumed in Turkey, Iran and Jordan.
It
also controls at least eight power plants in Syria. Remarkably, gas supplies 90
per cent of the power grid used in both ISIS and regime-controlled territory.
While
the two forces battle for control of these resources, neither side is prepared
to destroy such a valuable asset.
She
added: 'In territories now under [ISIS] control, there is a 10 per cent income
tax, 10-15 per cent tax on business revenues, and a 2 per cent value added tax
on everyday purchases.
'There
are road taxes and custom taxes for vehicles crossing [ISIS] held territory and
taxes for smuggling drugs and weapons.'
The
terrorists also require citizens to pay a 'departure tax' of £650 for anyone
wishing to leave their territory.
'Fearing
that many will leave, [ISIS] requires that civilians sign over car titles and
family homes in order to just to leave its territory for two weeks,' she added.
'Christians are forced to pay jiza, a religious levy or "protection
tax," unless they convert to Islam.'
It
has also generated vast funds by pillaging two state-owned banks in Mosul - and
an astonishing 90 privately owned banks.
Other
rackets include control over the production of wheat and the looting of
historical antiquities, while extortion stemming from kidnappings netted them
£30million last year alone.
Countering
claims the group may soon face expenses it cannot cover, Dr Liang warned this
did not account for the fact it operates as a 'mafia state', akin to North
Korea, which can conduct its business internally even if ostracized.
'[ISIS]
is not as vulnerable as other terrorist groups because they can exploit their
own tax base by holding territory they can tax and raise revenue at will.
'To emphasize its transparency and professionalism, it publishes an annual report
which sets out its business strategy of terror and destruction, including
specific investments, down to the cost of each suicide mission.'
Meanwhile,
the Global Terrorism Index also revealed so-called 'lone wolf' attacks, carried
out by individuals inspired but not necessarily taking orders from terrorist
groups, are the single biggest threat to the West.
These
are responsible for 70 per cent of attacks in the West since 2006.
Globally,
terrorist activity increased by 80 per cent from the previous year. This marks
a ninefold increase from 2000.
The
majority of this increase stemmed from the growth in attacks throughout Africa
and the Middle East.
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Between
25,000 and 30,000 foreign fighters are believed to have arrived in Syria and
Iraq since 2011
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FLOW OF FOREIGN FIGHTERS
CONTINUES UNABATED
This
year the flow of foreign fighters into the Middle East has continued unabated,
while some 7,000 foreigners are believed to have joined terrorist groups within
Iraq and Syria in the first six months of 2015 alone.
Meanwhile,
between 25,000 and 30,000 foreign fighters are thought to have arrived in Syria
and Iraq since 2011.
Remarkably,
foreign fighters appear to be among the most well paid members of the ISIS
army. They can attract a monthly salary between £250 - £800 a month.
Europe
comprises 21 per cent of all foreign fighters, while 50 per cent are from
neighbouring Middle Eastern and North African countries, according to the
Global Terrorism Index.
THE TOP 10 COUNTRIES
FACING GREATEST THREAT OF TERRORISM
1.
Iraq
2.
Afghanistan
3.
Nigeria
4.
Pakistan
5.
Syria
6.
India
7.
Yemen
8.
Somalia
9.
Libya
10.
Thailand
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