How Isis became the wealthiest terror group in history

Footage of a mosque being blown up in a US anti-ISIS video (Photo: YouTube)

Helen Lock

Islamic State (Isis) militants are taking in more than $3m (€2.32m) a day through oil smuggling, extortion, theft and human trafficking, say intelligence officials and experts.

Aid workers, researchers and intelligence agents say that as the group has taken over sections of Iraq and Syria it now controls as many as 11 oil fields in both countries. It is using generations-old smuggling networks to bring in the trade from oil and other goods. It is also making money from extorting cash from people in the areas they have seized, kidnapping for ransom and from human trafficking.