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IS Decentralizing Into 'Provinces' in Bid to Return

Rikar Hussein

   WASHINGTON - A series of Islamic State (IS) announcements of new
   provinces it controls in recent weeks has renewed debate over the
   group's possible resurgence after its self-proclaimed caliphate fell,
   with some analysts warning an increasingly decentralized IS could
   recover and spread its tentacles to other parts of the world.

   During his first appearance last April after five years, IS leader Abu
   Bakr al-Baghdadi in a new video was seen handling documents about the
   group's global affiliates, including newly found provinces in Turkey
   and Central Africa.

   In the 18-minute video by IS' media wing al-Furqan, al-Baghdadi also
   welcomed new joiners from Burkina Faso, Mali and Sri Lanka.

   Since its leader's reappearance, IS has announced new "wilayats" or
   provinces, and has rearranged its existing ones ranging from different
   areas of the Middle East, Africa, and Central Asia.

   Last week, IS in a new video claimed a new province in Turkey. The
   five-minute long video showed a group of militants pledging allegiance
   to al-Baghdadi and asking potential sympathizers in Turkey to join the
   group.

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