The Islamic State of Iraq and Sham (NIIS or ISIL: Arabic: الدولة الإسلامية في العراق والشام), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (NIIS or ISIS 
aɪsᵻs /), the Islamic State of Iraq and Ash-Sham, Daesh, or Islamic State (NI or IS), [29] is an extremist militant group. The group is led by and dominated by Sunni Arabs from Iraq and Syria. Until March 2015, NIIS controlled a population of 10 million people in Iraq and Syria. Through its local group, NIIS also controls small areas in Libya, Nigeria and Afghanistan. The group also operates or has affiliates in various regions of the world, including Africa 
