Reports of infighting within ISIS have increased, prompting some observers to suggest that the group’s previously strong cohesion is faltering. Strikes have been hitting oil refineries and tankers as well as banks and buildings that hold hard cash. The US-led coalition targeting the group and its operations has paid particular attention to its lucrative oil infrastructure and other sources of finance. As a result, ISIS has had to cut salaries, prompting infighting among the group’s soldiers and its leaders. Some fighters are reportedly not being paid at all, lessening the group’s attraction. Previously, it had been able to offer higher salaries than people, particularly in Syria, could hope to earn in any other capacity. Without this, morale has dropped and its cohesion is at risk. In addition, ISIS, which was once considered one of the most powerful terrorist groups on earth, now faces an existential threat from rival jihadist groups, including al-Qaeda, Jabhat al-Nusra, Although damaged, the group continues to operate and as one observer noted, ISIS “still have 60 percent of Syrian oil wells and 5 percent of Iraq’s.”
Reports of infighting within ISIS have increased, prompting some observers to suggest that the group’s previously strong cohesion is faltering. The US-led coalition targeting the group and its operations has paid particular attention to its lucrative oil infrastructure and other sources of finance. As a result, ISIS has had to cut salaries, prompting infighting among the group’s soldiers and its leaders. Some fighters are reportedly not being paid at all, lessening the group’s attraction. Previously, it had been able to offer higher salaries than people, particularly in Syria, could hope to earn in any other capacity. Without this, morale has dropped and its cohesion is at risk. In addition, ISIS, which was once considered one of the most powerful terrorist groups on earth, now faces an existential threat from rival jihadist groups, including al-Qaeda, Jabhat al-Nusra, Although damaged, the group continues to operate and as one observer noted, ISIS “still have 60 percent of Syrian oil wells and 5 percent of Iraq’s.”