Terror Tactics and Styles of War

Executive Summary

Overview

This research examines the relationship between the territorial control of insurgent groups and the geographic distribution of their attacks, focusing on a comparative study of the Islamic State (IS) and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). These groups were selected because they are ideologically and geographically distinct, and the comparison provided the opportunity to gain new insights into how different ideologies shape strategies of territorial control and terrorist activities. This study reveals that the ideologies of these groups, jihadist for IS and Marxist-Leninist for FARC, significantly shape their strategies for territorial control and consequently, their patterns of terrorist activities.

Key Findings

IS, driven by its jihadist ideology, established a caliphate in the Middle East and enforced Sharia law, which significantly influenced its approach to territorial control. In contrast, FARC, with its Marxist-Leninist roots, utilized Colombian territories primarily for guerrilla warfare and political mobilization, reflecting a different approach to territorial control.

The geographic distribution of attacks by these groups showed their distinct strategies. IS's attacks were primarily concentrated in key cities in Iraq and Syria, aligning with their objective of establishing a caliphate. On the other hand, FARC's activities were more localized, focusing on remote regions within Colombia, which aligns with their guerrilla warfare tactics.

Both groups demonstrated a notable adaptability in response to external factors. IS, particularly after experiencing territorial losses, shifted its focus to decentralized attacks, moving away from the large-scale, structured assaults that were characteristic of its period of peak territorial control. FARC, in response to changing dynamics, particularly in the lead-up to the 2016 peace agreement, showed a strategic shift in their operations, focusing more on political negotiation and adapting their tactics in response to military pressure.

Comparative Analysis

The comparative analysis of these two groups provides valuable insights. The case study of IS from 2014 to 2017 revealed a clear pattern of structured terrorism with large-scale assaults during their period of significant territorial control, which later transitioned to guerrilla-style tactics as they lost territory. The FARC case study, particularly leading up to the 2016 peace agreement, demonstrated a correlation between their tactical responses and changes in territorial control, with a noticeable increase in attacks in areas where they faced heightened military pressure.