Names of the Islamic State
Six Islamic State (IS) Iterations
from 1999 - 2015

The Islamic State (IS) is currently in its 6th iteration. The below list tracks the dates for each iteration of the group.

1999 - Original Formation
al-Tawhid & al-Jihad
• Original group formed by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi
• Used the flag in the top left and logo on top right

17 Oct. 2004 - Name Change & Reorganization
al-Qaeda in the Land of Two Rivers (AQLTR) [a.k.a. al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI)]
• Name changed when al-Zarqawi pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda
• Used logo on top right

Jan. 2006 - Name Change & Reorganization
Mujahideen Shura Council (MSC)
• Rebranded to put an Iraqi face on the group
• All logos for group changed, begun using logo on bottom left

Oct. 2006 - Name Change & Reorganization
Islamic State of Iraq (ISI)
• New branding to mark the announcement of the Islamic State of Iraq
• Began using black jihadi flag

8 Apr. 2013 - Name Change & Reorganization
Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) [a.k.a. Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS)]
• New branding to mark the expansion of the Islamic State into Syria.
• Continued using black jihadi flag

29 Jun. 2014 - Name Change & Reorganization
Islamic State (IS)
• Announced formation of Islamic Caliphate with Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi as the Caliph
• Continued using black jihadi flag

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