Islamic State (IS) is extremely well organized and professional. So says the German journalist and IS-expert Christoph Reuter, who wrote a book about the terror group.
In Syria, he managed to lay his hands on secret documents, which formed the blueprint for the creation and structure of IS. They provide a fascinating insight into the world of terror.
Nieuwsuur reporter Jan Eikelboom talks tonight with Christoph Reuter.
Former soldiers
Christoph Reuter's Middle East correspondent for the German Spiegel. According to him, Islam is not an end but a means. Behind the scenes are not at IS jihadists in control, but ex-soldiers of the Iraqi army. After the fall of Saddam Hussein, they were all fired by the Americans.
The rapid advance of IS in 2013, surprised the world. The group that suddenly its head everywhere arose, just seemed to come from nowhere. But from the documents Reuter hand managed to impose, it appears that in reality the establishment of an Islamic state in Syria for almost a year has been prepared in secret.
"The first phase was to grow in secret and see who they could use or were dead right. There were people kidnapped in secret or slain in secret. Only when they felt powerful enough, they attacked an enemy city with a force majeure "said Reuter.
Sowing fear
The rise of IS according to the German journalist, not by accident, but a result of a well thought out strategy, which to the smallest detail has been thought. That method was also visible in Paris, says Reuter, who does not believe it was a coincidence that the body of one of the perpetrators was a false Syrian passport.
Reuter: "They want to show the world - and France in particular - Syrian refugees" belong to us "That attackers are among the refugees.."
Polarizing by sowing fear is the tactic of the terrorist group, and then the world is trying to formulate an answer. So far in vain. Because IS according to Reuter no rogue band of terrorists. But a worthy opponent.
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