They say disillusionment is the gap between expectation and reality. If the conclusions of a report just published by the International Center for the Study of Radicalization and Political Violence are anything to go by, it’s a gap that’s causing an increasing number of Islamic State (ISIS) fighters to defect.
Based on the accounts of 58 people who left ISIS between January 2014 and August 2015, the report draws attention to a range of factors associated with both joining and leaving ISIS.
The report revealed three broad motivations for joining ISIS in the first place: they opposed the brutality of the Assad regime in Syria and saw a need to protect fellow Muslims; they believed in establishing an Islamic state governed by Sharia law; and they were drawn by the promise of material goods and adventure.
But these motivations are also part of why they leave. The infighting among Sunni groups and the comparative neglect of the battle against Assad is an important cause of defection. There is also concern over the amount of violence directed at Sunni Muslims—including the mistreatment of hostages, civilians, and fellow fighters. The corruption of local commanders displaying un-Islamic behavior is another driver. And some of the defectors were disappointed when the promised utopia of luxury goods and cars failed to materialize. They soon realized that living conditions were much harder than they had imagined.
