Women terrorists of Daesh

17.07.2022

Written by: Tarinda Bak

Translated by: Jessica Norbert

Terrorism is a broad concept and represents a recognized threat both at European^[1] European Commission “The European Agenda on Security”, communication from the commission to the European parliament, the council, the European economic and social committee and the … Continue reading  level and on the international stage^[2]UN, “A more secure world: our shared responsibility.” Report of the High-level panel on threats, challenges and change, 2004, P. 6, Available … Continue reading. However, the different actors of the international community^[3]D. Ethier, « Introduction aux relations internationales », les Presses de l’Université de Montréal, Paramètres, 4th Edition, 2010, P.75-134 do not give the same definition. Thus, it is that of terrorism proposed by the High-level panel of eminent-persons and the Secretary general of the UN in 2004 that we will retain. It is defined as follows: “any act committed with intent to cause death or serious bodily harm to civilians or non-combatants, the purpose of which is, by its nature or context, to intimidate a population or to compel a government or an international organization to do or abstain from doing any act^[4]UN, « Nouvelles menaces : les propositions du Groupe de personnalités », UN info, 2004, https://news.un.org/fr/story/2004/12/64892 “. Several terrorist movements can be associated with this definition, but our attention will be focused on Daesh, also known as the Islamic State^[5]A. Tucker Jones, « Daesh: Islamic State’s Holy War », History of Terror, Casemate Publishers, 2018. 

Daesh, terrorist organization with the so-called Salafist^[6]Direction B. Rougier, «Qu’est-ce que le salafisme», Presses Universitaires de France, PUF, 2008 Salafism is according to le Larousse: « a fundamentalistic current of … Continue reading jihadist^[7]Jihadism is according to le Larousse: “the name by which is designated the ideas and actions of extremist fundamentalists who resort to terrorism by claiming to be the Islamic jihad “ ideology, wishes to morally reeducate the Muslim community in Syria and Iraq while advocating the use of violence. Moreover, Daesh by its numerous attacks in Europe^[8]La délégation de l’Assemblée Nationale, « Rapport d’information sur l’Union Européenne et la lutte contre le … Continue reading and the United States^[9]La fondation pour l’innovation politique, «Les attentats islamistes dans le monde 1979-2019», 2019, P.1, http://www.fondapol.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/ENQUETE-TERRORISME-2019-11-08_w.pdf, is rightly accused of crime wars, crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing, destruction of archeological remains^[10]UN, «Syrie : le Conseil de sécurité et l’UNESCO condamnent la destruction du patrimoine culturel de Palmyre», ONU Info, … Continue reading, and genocide^[11]Security Council of the UN, «l’équipe d’enquêteurs chargée d’amener Daesh à répondre de ses crimes en Iraq a commencé à réunir des « preuves … Continue reading.  

This organization is made up of children, men and women, and the representation of the latter has been constantly increasing since its creation. For example, in France 220 female citizens have left to join the Islamic State, representing 35% of French jihadists^[12]E. Gueguen, « 220 Françaises parties faire le djihad, un chiffre en hausse constante », Radio France, … Continue reading. Besides, one in seven combatants in Syria or Iraq is a woman^[13]P. Bergen, D. Sterman, A. S ims, A. Ford, « ISIS in the West: The Western Militant Flow to Syria and Iraq », New America, 2016, P. 3-5, https://rm.coe.int/16806b33a7. 

As a result, these women are becoming more and more active within Daesh and taking an active part in it, ranging from a procreative role to a position in a vice squad to the performance of terrorist acts. Therefore, the question arises to how women are indispensable to the functioning of Daesh? 

The domestic and traditional role of the female gender  

An elementary role at home  

Within Daesh, women first have a role described as traditional. The “Manifesto on Muslim women”, written by the Al-Khansaa brigade^[14]The Al-Khansaa Brigade represents the morality brigade within Daesh in order to ensure that the strict application of Shariah law is well respected. specifies that “the greatness of the position of the woman, the purpose of her existence is the divine duty of motherhood^[15]The Al-Khanssaa Brigade, « Women of the Islamic State: A Manifesto on Women », Fondation Quilliam, … Continue reading”. By the word “greatness”, the woman feels this glory done to her name. Moreover, the word “divine” adds a spiritual and moral dimension. Thus, she feels valued through this original role linked to her gender. However, the goal is not the valorization of women, but the increase of the population through newborns. The latter ensure the future of the terrorist organization, and also its survival in the absence of new recruits. As a result, the women are used for genetically reproductive purposes.  

The role of mother does not stop at procreation. They are expected to educate children brought into the world in accordance with the ideology of Daesh^[16]Committee of experts on terrorism (CODEXTER), Discussion paper: « The roles of women in Daesh», Council of Europe, Strasbourg, 2016, P.6, https://rm.coe.int/09000016806bd5e1 . This role of preceptor happens to be indispensable since the present children need reference points, convictions, and values during their primary socialization. The parents, and more particularly their mothers, thus have the task of educating them on the norms and values of Daesh. These mothers are thus transformed into a propaganda tool since they must raise their sons to make them Daesh fighters. While girls are expected to follow the example of their mother by marrying the fight of the terrorist organization. As a result, children will grow up recognizing, in the Daesh ideology, the absolute truth and will not question this familiar system. They will thus become active members when the time comes. Therefore, the mothers must be irreproachable as the slightest flaw in the education would be a huge loss for the organization.  

Next, women are also expected to be perfect wives to their husbands^[17]Europol, “European Union Terrorism Situation and Trend Report … Continue reading. This dedication to which they are required to submit is also reflected in the “Manifesto on Muslim Women”. It highlights that: “Woman was created to populate the Earth, as was man. But, as God willed, she was created from Adam and for Adam. Moreover, her creator decided that there was no greater responsibility for her than to be a wife to her husband^[18]The Al-Khanssaa Brigade, « Women of the Islamic State: A Manifesto on … Continue reading”. This perfect wife duty offers a multitude of benefits to Daesh. Indeed, the men, “soldiers of califate”^[19]P.Conesa, F-B. Huyghe, M. Chouraqui, « La propagande francophone de Daesh : la mythodologie du combattant heureux », l’Observatoire des … Continue reading, see themselves offered with emotional support, carnal pleasure, children, devotion and their needs taken care of by their wives. This creates a family sphere in which they have everything they need, allowing them to stay and thrive within the terrorist system. In this way the women become the element of family well-being. However, is occurring a real paradox, because despite the fact that women within Daesh have a traditional and domestic obligation of duty towards their husband, they have to consider the death of their husband in martyrdom as an honor^[20]E. M. Saltman, M. Smith, « Till Martyrdom Do Us Part – Gender and the ISIS Phenomenon », op. … Continue reading.  

In fact, this duty of a wife is so essential for the terrorist organization that certain conditions have been created to encourage widows to remarry and thus reproduce the pattern of procreation. If they do not marry to another member of Daesh, in the absence of a mahram^[21]M.Saltman, M. Smith, « Till Martyrdom Do Us Part – Gender and the ISIS Phenomenon », op. … Continue reading, they must live in a maqqar^[22]The maqqar is a home for women where living conditions are unsanitary. which they can only leave once a week.  

A role within society  

Women have other essential roles for the terrorist organization. Due to its strict interpretation of the Shariah law^[23]L. Pierre, « La charia », IESR - Institut Européen en Sciences des Religions, 2020, http://www.iesr.ephe.sorbonne.fr/ressources-pedagogiques/fiches-pedagogiques/charia , Daesh is subject to gendered constraints. For example, women can only be touched by women. Thus, women have the role of doctors, nurses, or else hairdresser towards people from the same sex. In addition, they have the opportunity to become teachers. As such, they complete the education done by the mothers about the ideology and the legitimacy of Daesh. This double discourse between mother and teacher allows to reinforce the values as well as the norms inculcated in the children, who will then become jihadists.  

The women can also become members of the “morality police”^[24]Committee of experts on terrorism (CODEXTER), Discussion paper : «The roles of women in Daesh», Council of Europe, Strasbourg, 2016, P.6, https://rm.coe.int/09000016806bd5e1 of Daesh, called the Al-Khansaa or Umm al-Rayan^[25]Committee of experts on terrorism (CODEXTER), Discussion paper : «The roles of women in Daesh», Council of Europe, Strasbourg, 2016, P.6, https://rm.coe.int/09000016806bd5e1 brigades. These units composed entirely of women have two objectives: to enforce the order and to enforce the radical application^[26] H. Hussein & Dr. M. Al Ajamî, « le djihad fantasmé de Daesh », Carnet de recherche contre discours radical CADR, 2016, https://iqbal.hypotheses.org/3508 of religious dogmas, namely the hisbah^[27]Respect of the Shariah law . They can only apply under certain conditions: be single, be between 18 and 25 years old^[28]T. Dandois, Video: « Les femmes de Daesh », La Médiathèque Numérique Loire, … Continue reading and speak Arabic.  

The Umm al-Rayan brigade was created to identify men who disguise themselves as women in order to leave Daesh^[29]A.  Erelle, « Dans la peau d’une djihadiste, au cœur des filières de recrutement de l’État islamique », librio, 2015, as anyone wearing a hijab^[30]Veil that covers the hair, ears, and neck., a niqab^[31]Long veil recovering the hair and the whole face, with a thin horizontal split at eye level or a burqa^[32]Thick veil hemstitched at the eye level which completely recovers the body cannot be touched by a person of the male sex. Under Daesh’s strict interpretation of Shariah law, only a woman can arrest, convict, and inflict a sentence to another person of the same sex who has deviant behavior^[33]NBC News, Video: « Into the Secret World of ISIS’ Female Enforcers », NBC Nightly News, 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee6dP7JOXgg . Thus, it is hardly conceivable for Daesh to pursue its ideology with its interpretation of the religious precepts without the presence of women and this brigade because only they can control and inflict punishment on them. If the brigade ceases to exist, behavior which digress from the preestablished rules within this terrorist society would not cease to increase, which, in the long term, could put it in jeopardy.   

The women increasingly involved in international terrorism  

An international recruitment role   

To imply that women within Daesh only have traditional and domestic roles would be reductive. Some play other important roles within the organization, such as in recruitment. They set up a propaganda 2.0^[34]P. Conesa, F-B. Huyghe, M. Chouraqui, « La propagande francophone de Daesh : la mythodologie du combattant heureux », l’Observatoire des … Continue reading and spread it around the world so that other women come to Iraq or Syria to join Daesh. Through different means of dissemination, the recruiters share and at the same time confirm the extremism of Daesh by describing the practice, ideology and violence imposed by the califate^[35]N. Ponticelli, « La stratégie hybride de l’État islamique : quels enseignements et quels enjeux ?  De Mossoul à Raqqa, l’âge de l’hybridité : l’État islamique en Irak et en … Continue reading. This sharing is also the opportunity to make threats against their enemies. A list of apostates to be slaughtered including different personalities such as imams, political or public figures^[36]Dabiq, « tuez les imams infidèles en Occident », 2016 is communicated. In addition, by their speech, the recruiters explicitly invite their supporters to carry out violent attacks abroad^[37]H. Hussein, « Les veuves Noires de Daesh », Dossier La fin de Daesh, Revue Moyen-Orient, n° 43, july-September 2019, https://cdradical.hypotheses.org/1131 on behalf of the terrorist organization. Through this strategy, they are used as propaganda tool by the Islamic organization to spread its notoriety throughout the world.  

Moreover, in addition to this proliferation of threats, women recruiting for the terrorist organization mainly have a speech focused on ways to counter the family objections of new recruits on their new life choices, their new clothes, the veil, the religion, and how to enter the territory. They set up themselves as companions and guides by providing information, support and encouragement. These new recruits easily join the terrorist organization, which provides all the necessary details and advice.  

The recruiters target both women and men but also teenage girls^[38] D. Bouzar, M. Martin, « Neuropsychiatrie de l’Enfance et de l’Adolescence », Volume 64, 2016, P.353-359, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0222961716301313. To achieve their goal, they will criticize the Western world and its mores, and point the finger at societal ills. The recruiters adapt their speeches according to the people’s experience, their origin, their age and their gender. For example, if the person recruited is a man, the recruiter will highlight the heroism and charisma of the Daesh fighter and set him up as the ideal of the martyr. Therefore, the women act as true activists, whose speech attracts anyone useful to the survival and development of Daesh.  

An increasing role of women in participating in terrorist attacks 

The Zoura Foundation, media body created by Daesh among others as Daqib and Dar al-Islam, establishes that the women do not have the right to take part as combatants and to undertake martyred operations^[39]M. Bloom & C. Winter, « The women of ISIL », Politico, 2015, https://www.politico.eu/article/the-women-of-isil-female-suicide-bomber-terrorism/. However an exception^[40]The Al-Khanssaa Brigade, « Women of the Islamic State: A Manifesto on Women », P.22, https://therinjfoundation.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/women-of-the-islamic-state3.pdf is provided by the manifesto of the Al-Khansaa brigade. Indeed, if a fatwa^[41]According to le Larousse, a fatwa is: «a legal consultation given by a religious authority about a doubtful case or a new issue ». can exceptionally provide the participation of women in combat, this is only possible in case of absolute necessity, i.e. when the jihadists are in a critical situation and there is no other choice. However, this is a very rare situation.  

Despite this limitation of women to terrorist attacks, they are increasingly willing to take part in it, and to create a female jihadism. Many cases illustrate this fact. For example, there is the terrorist cell composed exclusively of women which organized an attack in 2019^[42]A.Chrisafis, « Cell of French women guided by Isis behind failed Notre Dame attack », The Guardian, … Continue reading near the Notre-Dame cathedral in Paris, even though that attack failed and remained in the state of attempt. We can also recall the creation of commissions that prepare the women for combat and suicide-attacks in Libya^[43]L.DAFTARI, « ISIS in Libya training women for combat, suicide bombing attacks », The Foreign Desk, … Continue reading as well as suicide-attacks orchestrated by Boko Haram in the border regions of Nigeria^[44]D.SEARCEY, « Boko Haram Turns Female Captives Into Terrorists », The New York Times, 7avril 2016, https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/08/world/africa/boko-haram-suicide-bombers.html  . Moreover, if they are trained and formed both in combat and in the use of weapons, one has to ask why.  

Moreover, the increase of terrorist attacks involving women could be linked to the example of Chechen jihadist women, called black widows, who mobilized themselves by taking arms after the death of their husbands^[45]sH. Hussein, « Les veuves Noires de Daesh », Dossier La fin de Daesh, Revue Moyen-Orient, n° 43, July-September 2019, https://cdradical.hypotheses.org/1131 . In that sense, if the fight against terrorism continues, it will result in the death of male fighters. This way the women could, to replace their counterparts of the other sex, take part in the combats in a more significant way. This would further reinforce the crucial role of women within Daesh.   

Conclusion: 

The presence and participation of women are part of the foundations of Daesh and its future since they are both procreative and propaganda tools for the terrorist organization. Thus, they educate and control the new generation of Syrian and Iraqi terrorists in order to pursue the plans of Daesh and the attacks perpetuated by the organization. Not to mention the international arena, where they devote particular attention by presenting themselves as guide so that women and men join the territory of the Rising Sun.  

Moreover, it would be relevant to question the evolution of women terrorists outside the countries where Daesh is located. Indeed, since they are no longer under the constraint of Shariah law, nor of the Umm al-Ryan brigade, therefore they are not restricted to the prohibition against taking part in acts of terrorism. They could then represent a real threat and are therefore very unpredictable; but also, be the cause of a future increase in terrorist acts perpetrated abroad. Thus, this adds more complexity and extent to their role which is already indispensable, and which could increase in the years to come, consequently provoking the possibility of a female revolution within Daesh.    

Bibliography 

Manual: 

A.Erelle, « Dans la peau d’une djihadiste, au cœur des filières de recrutement de l’État islamique », librio, 2015 

A.Tucker Jones, « Daesh: Islamic State’s Holy War », History of Terror, Casemate Publishers, 2018

Bouzar, M. Martin, « Neuropsychiatrie de l’Enfance et de l’Adolescence », Volume 64, Issue 6, 2016, p 353-359, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0222961716301313

Ethier, « Introduction aux relations internationales », les Presses de l’Université de Montréal, Paramètres, 4 ème édition, 2010, p 75-134

Direction B. Rougier, « Qu’est-ce que le salafisme », Presses Universitaires de France, PUF, 2008 

El Difraoui Asiem, « Le Djihadisme », Presses Universitaires De France, Puf, Que Sais-Je, 2016 

UN Reports:  

Security Council of the UN, « l’équipe d’enquêteurs chargée d’amener Daesh à répondre de ses crimes en Iraq a commencé à réunir des « preuves incontestables », Meetings coverage and press releases, 8675th session, 2019, https://www.un.org/press/fr/2019/cs14035.doc.htm 

UN, « Nouvelles menaces : les propositions du Groupe de personnalités », Onu info, 2004, https://news.un.org/fr/story/2004/12/64892  

UN, « Syrie : le Conseil de sécurité et l’UNESCO condamnent la destruction du patrimoine culturel de Palmyre », ONU Info, 2017, https://news.un.org/fr/story/2017/01/350962-syrie-le-conseil-de-securite-et-lunesco-condamnent-la-destruction-du-patrimoine 

UN, “A more secure world: our shared responsibility.” Report of the High-level panel on threats, challenges and change, 2004, P.6, https://www.un.org/french/secureworld/panelmembers.html 

European Reports: 

Committee of experts on terrorism (CODEXTER), Discussion paper: « The roles of women in Daesh», Council of Europe, Strasbourg, P.6, https://rm.coe.int/09000016806bd5e1 

Commission européenne, « Le programme européen en matière de sécurité́ », communication de la commission au Parlement Européen, au Conseil, au Comité Économique et Social Européen et au Comité des Régions, Strasbourg, le 28.4.2015 COM (2015) 185 final, P.2, https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/sites/homeaffairs/files/e-library/documents/basic-documents/docs/eu_agenda_on_security_fr.pdf 

Europol, “European Union Terrorism Situation and Trend Report 2016”, 2016, P.26, https://www.europol.europa.eu/activities-services/main-reports/european-union-terrorism-situation-and-trend-report-te-sat-2016 

La délégation de l’Assemblée Nationale, « Rapport d’information sur l’Union Européenne et la lutte contre le terrorisme », 2005, https://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/12/europe/rap-info/i2123.asp

Pierre, « La charia », IESR - Institut Européen en Sciences des Religions, 2020, http://www.iesr.ephe.sorbonne.fr/ressources-pedagogiques/fiches-pedagogiques/charia

International reports: 

Senate, « Rapport sur l’organisation et les moyens des services de l’État pour faire face à l’évolution de la menace terroriste après la chute de l’état islamique », 2018, P.150, https://www.senat.fr/rap/r17-639/r17-6391.pdf  

Press articles: 

A.Chrisafis, « Cell of French women guided by Isis behind failed Notre Dame attack », The Guardian, 2016, https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/sep/09/cell-of-french-women-radicalised-by-isis-behind-failed-notre-dame-attack 

D.SEARCEY, « Boko Haram Turns Female Captives Into Terrorists », The New York Times, April 7th 2016, https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/08/world/africa/boko-haram-suicide-bombers.html

Gueguen, « 220 Françaises parties faire le djihad, un chiffre en hausse constante », Radio France, 2016, https://www.francetvinfo.fr/societe/220-francaises-parties-faire-le-djihad-un-chiffre-en-hausse-constante_1701873.html

L.DAFTARI, « ISIS in Libya training women for combat, suicide bombing attacks », The Foreign Desk, 2016, http://www.foreigndesknews.com/lisas-desk/isis-libya-training-women-combat-suicide-bomb-attacks/ 

Scientific Materials: 

M. Saltman, M. Smith, « Till Martyrdom Do Us Part – Gender and the ISIS Phenomenon », op. cit., P.16-17, P.39 https://www.isdglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Till_Martyrdom_Do_Us_Part_Gender_and_the_ISIS_Phenomenon.pdf

Hussein & Dr. M. Al Ajamî, « le djihad fantasmé de Daesh », Carnet de recherche contre discours radical CADR, 2016, https://iqbal.hypotheses.org/3508

Hussein, « Les veuves Noires de Daesh », Dossier La fin de Daesh, Revue Moyen-Orient, n° 43, 2019, https://cdradical.hypotheses.org/1131

La fondation pour l’innovation politique, « Les attentats islamistes dans le monde 1979-2019 », 2019, P.1, http://www.fondapol.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/ENQUETE-TERRORISME-2019-11-08_w.pdf

Bloom & C. Winter, « The women of ISIL », Politico, 2015, https://www.politico.eu/article/the-women-of-isil-female-suicide-bomber-terrorism/

Ponticelli, « La stratégie hybride de l’État islamique : quels enseignements et quels enjeux ?  De Mossoul à Raqqa, l’âge de l’hybridité : l’État islamique en Irak et en Syrie de 2014 à 2017 », IRIS Insitut de Relations Internationales et stratégiques, 2020, https://www.iris-france.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/La-stratégie-hybride-de-lÉtat-islamique.pdf

Bergen, D. Sterman, A. S ims, A. Ford, « ISIS in the West: The Western Militant Flow to Syria and Iraq », New America, 2016, P.3-5, https://rm.coe.int/16806b33a7

P.Conesa, F-B. Huyghe, M. Chouraqui, « La propagande francophone de Daesh : la mythodologie du combattant heureux », l’Observatoire des radicalisations, P.3, https://www.fmsh.fr/sites/default/files/files/Rapport%20Propagande%20Bdef.pdf 

The Al-Khanssaa Brigade, « Women of the Islamic State: A Manifesto on Women », Fondation Quilliam, février 2015, P.17-18, P.22, https://therinjfoundation.files.wordpress.com/2015/01/women-of-the-islamic-state3.pdf 

Reports: 

NBC News, Video: « Into the Secret World of ISIS’ Female Enforcers », NBC Nightly News, 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ee6dP7JOXgg 

T.Dandois, Video: « Les femmes de Daesh », La Médiathèque Numérique Loire,2019, https://mediatheque-numerique.loire.fr/Default/doc/MEDIATHEQUE_NUMERIQUE/10640/les-femmes-de-daesh?_lg=fr-FR 

To cite this article : Tarinda Bak, “Women terrorists of Daesh”, 22.10.2021, Gender in Geopolitics Institute. 

The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the author.