Final answer:
The rise of ISIS was facilitated by political instability in the Middle East, sectarian conflicts, and the power vacuum created after the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. Their claim to establish a caliphate under Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi and their use of terror tactics significantly increased their impact internationally. The situation in Syria further exacerbated the conflict as ISIS controlled significant territories until international interventions began.
Step-by-step explanation:
Rise of ISIS
The Islamic State (ISIS) is a radical Sunni Muslim organization that emerged in the early 2000s, seizing control over territories in Syria, Iraq, and Libya. ISIS uses a narrative that Islam is under attack to recruit supporters and claims authority over all Muslims. This group also utilizes terror tactics to create instability, launching violent attacks in 20 countries.
In Iraq, post-2003 U.S. invasion, ISIS gained momentum, exploiting political and sectarian tensions. With the proclamation of a caliphate in June 2014 and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as caliph, ISIS's footprint expanded. Factors contributing to their rise include foreign interference, internal injustices in the Middle East, and U.S. actions that indirectly facilitated extremist group formation.
In 2016, the situation in Syria worsened, with territories falling under ISIS control. Western countries, led by the U.S., initiated airstrikes against ISIS. Challenges arose due to differing views on Kurdish forces and interventions by other countries, such as Russia in support of the Assad regime, further complicating the conflict.