ISIS caliphate spreads its wing in Syria, Iraq; expands global reach

The Islamic State (ISIS) continues to expand its wing in Syria and Iraq since its establishment of caliphate in 2014. ISIS has entered into its second year on June 29. They have also expanded their global reach by claiming attacks in Tunisia and Kuwait.

Tunisia was rocked twice this year by ISIS. The first attack took place in March when the Bardo Museum in capital city Tunis was attacked that left over 20 people dead while the second attack took place over the weekend.

At least 38 people were killed when a gunman opened fire when tourists mostly from western countries were holidaying at a beach resort near the Tunisian city of Sousse on June 26. It was deadliest attack in Tunisia's recent history.

These terror attacks struck at the tourism industry, a key sector of the Tunisia's economy.

The city of Sousse, 140 km south of capital Tunis, is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the country.

According to reports, ISIS chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi announced on June 29, 2014, the first day of Ramadan, that it was reviving a form of Islamic government known as the "caliphate," pledging it would "remain and expand."

They anointed its leader, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, as caliph, the head of state.

The militant group also claimed responsibility for what it called a suicide bombing at the Shiite-affiliated Al-Sadiq mosque in Kuwait during Friday's prayer that left 27 people dead and many injured.

It carried out two suicide bombings in May at Shiite mosques in the Eastern Province with an aim to instigate sectarian strife in Saudi Arabia. Eastern Province, the largest province in the country home to most of the kingdom's oil reserves lie and where a large segment of the population is Shiite.

ISIS has expanded its wings beyond Syria and Iraq by bringing local Islamist groups under its wing. Despite airstrike by US led coalition forces, it has gained more territory in Syria and Iraq.

ISIS has continued to expand its regime despite several airstrikes hitting targets in its territory since September last year. Estimated 20,000 to 31,500 militants are fighting in Syria and Iraq.

Reports further state that ISIS identified countries in Southeast Asia as possible targets for attack.

Recently it captured ancient city of Palmyra. It has also attracted a string of affiliates - in Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Pakistan and elsewhere - and sought to project fear on an international scale.

ISIS has inspired fear and horror with its rule over territory in Syria and Iraq, where mass killings and brutal executions have become its hallmarks. The group controls about 50 per cent of Syria's territory and perhaps a third of Iraq.