MOSCOW (Sputnik), Alexander Mosesov — The Islamic State is a jihadist group that began as an al-Qaeda offshoot. In 2014, ISIL parted from al-Qaeda and started a massive advance in the Middle East, seizing large areas in Syria and Iraq.
"[Underestimation of IS and al-Qaeda] is a challenge not only for the United States or the United Kingdom, it is for every regional [Middle Eastern] country and internationally."
The only option, Doyle stated, is to crack down on ISIL activities by cooperating between nations to eliminate the political conditions that enable the militants to function.
"The only way that such groups can be defeated is international and regional cooperation that has the determination to deny them space and opportunity and a credible political process to resolve the sort of political conditions in which such groups thrive."
In a bid to stop brutal executions and many human rights atrocities committed by the ISIL, the US-led international coalition has been launching airstrikes against militant positions in both countries since 2014.
Islamic State Appeal Outshines Al-Qaeda
The power of Islamic State chiefs to attract members is greater than that of al-Qaeda’s commanders, Doyle told Sputnik.
"Its [IS] leadership under [Abu Bakr] Baghdadi is considerably more charismatic than the rather more plodding style of leadership that is offered by al-Qaeda."
Doyle also pointed at ISIL military advances, including seizures of major Iraqi cities, that outweigh al-Qaeda military operations.
"The greatest advantage that ISIL has is the perception of success that it has managed to capture the second largest city in Iraq and that is despite the attention of a very large coalition ranged against it, including US aerial firepower."
Al-Qaeda 'Overshadowed' by ISIL, But Still Strong
Though the Islamic Stateextremist group gains power, al-Qaeda’s influence and potential should not be ignored, Director of the Council for Arab-British Understanding (Caabu) Chris Doyle added.
"IS is on the rise and al-Qaeda is very much looking like yesterday’s brand in the 21st century. But in certain ways al-Qaeda is very strong and dangerous. One should not write al-Qaeda off, even if they are certainly being overshadowed."
Relations between the IS and al-Qaeda have attracted meticulous attention of the military community recently.
On Wednesday, al-Qaeda clerics told the Guardian that the ISIL brings their organization to brink of collapse by diverting resources.
