The Islamic State group controls a vast landlocked territory in Iraq and Syria, with an estimated population of up to 8 million people. It is known by the U.S. Treasury Department as the wealthiest terror group in the world.
For more than two years, ISIL has controlled large parts of Iraq and Syria, while waging war on several fronts.
Unlike other terrorist groups including al-Qaeda, ISIL gets relatively little money from foreign donors. The group instead plunders resources from the territory they control.
According to the U.S. Treasury Department, ISIL is the wealthiest terror group in the world, racking up: U.S.$500 million in black market oil sales, up U.S.$1 billion in cash stolen from Iraqi and Syrian banks, and millions more from extortion and kidnapping for ransom.
U.S.-led airstrikes targeting oil infrastructure are reducing that revenue source, and sanctions aim to block ISIL from operating in the internal banking system.
Meanwhile, ISIL has diversified its funding streams, now dealing in looted antiques and stolen passports while taking over the local agriculture industry.
ISIL has even laid out plans to create its own currency, the Islamic State Gold Dinar.
A multinational group has formed to combat ISIL’s financing, but so far the money continues to flow.