This Iraq government picture claims to show Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Isis. Photo / AP
This Iraq government picture claims to show Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of Isis. Photo / AP
The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (Isis) made clear its ambitions to take control of Mosul in an annual report it published containing detailed figures that measured its "progress" in conquering territory and attacking its enemies.
The report, thought to be aimed at would-be donors, has been publishedfor two years running, and the most recent claimed it had carried out 1083 assassinations and perpetrated 4465 car bomb attacks in Iraq in 2013.
Overall, there were almost 10,000 operations carried out by Isis last year in Iraq alone, although it also expanded rapidly in Syria.
Research by the US-based Institute for the Study of War shows that the group described its attempt to take over Mosul and the surrounding area as its main effort in the report, published in March. The group also revealed that it raised US$8 million ($9.2 million) in revenues from the city.
"Isis progress in its campaign to control territory in Iraq is visible in its reported statistics," the institute said. "The destruction of houses, establishment of checkpoints and claims to control cities speak directly to the control of territory."
Researchers said the publication of two consecutive annual reports demonstrated that the group had a well- established and functioning organisational structure. The metrics it produced to analyse its performance were broken down by province, by type of device and nature of attacks.
Isis, a sophisticated grouping with at least 8000 jihadists in its ranks has also adopted a wide-ranging social media strategy to recruit to its ranks and disseminate propaganda.
Its use of Twitter underlines how easy it is for jihadists to get their message out.
