Journal of the Spanish Institute for Strategic Studies Núm. 13 / 2019 Figure 8: ISIS Provincial Organizational Chart for the Anbar Governorate, 2007 Revista del Instituto Español de Estudios Estratégicos n.º 13 - Año: 2019 - Págs.: 275 a 306 288 In turn, the different Committee Emirs had a sub-functional hierarchical system with significant land capture providing the leverage to operate in this fashion.18 The above hierarchical structure gives way to a cellular form when land capture is degraded, thereby increasing the need to ratchet up security. This morphing capacity works in tandem with the command form of M-type where different cells are given directions from a central command. Satellite phones and messengers are required to carry coded strategic messages to the leaders of various cells. Such a cellular form, although less effective for a concerted and coherent strategy, provides ISIS with lon-gevity due to its flexibility to adapt to the environment. The communication between the cells is restricted to key members of the group in order to strengthen security measures. In terms of the various “franchises” of ISIS, the Libyan segment of ISIS surfaced fully on October 5, 2014 as MSSI and other militants pledged their support for the organization19. According to the audio recordings available, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi accepted many pledges from sundry groups in countries including Yemen, Egypt, Al-geria, Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan. Cult followers of ISIS and al-Qaeda number ap-proximately 10,000 in Nigeria, which despite being a minute proportion of the total population, commands a significant presence and space in the media. Boko Haram in 2013 followed the al-Qaeda strategy of leaving the cities and moving to uncontrolled zones where they could establish their own micro societies and brand of religion. Their allegiance with ISIS was announced in 2015. Regarding the overall central hierarchy structure of ISIS, it is headed by the Shuraa Council, consisting of between 9 and 11 members. It has the ultimate power, with authority to make and overturn decisions, even those made by Baghdadi himself. This rigid command structure was set up originally by Abu Omar al-Baghdadi himself and has been followed by ISIS ever since. The composition of the Councils is largely shrouded in mystery, and more so is the matter of how much power Baghdadi himself exercises over the Shuraa Council20. Evidence has been gathered that Baghdadi himself handpicked the Shuraa Council from the allies he made during his imprisonment in camp Bucca, and those who 18 Nance, M. “Defeating ISIS”.New York: Skyhorse Publishing. 2016. 19 Michael, M. “How a Libyan city joined the Islamic State group”. AP News. 2014. 20 Hall, B. “Inside ISIS - The Brutal Rise of a Terrorist Army”.New York: Center Street. 2015.
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