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The Islamic State's actions in northern Iraq represented an existential threat to the different societal groups that inhabited the territories that were held by the self-proclaimed caliphate. However, its actions are not senseless violence, irrationality or brutality. These are part of the Salafist conception, which indicates that Islam is in existential risk, therefore, violence against minorities is considered necessary to defend monotheism (tawhid) and the fight against polytheism (shirk) and the infidels (kuffar). The article analyzes how the securitization of religion carried out by the Islamic State represents a threat to minority groups in Iraq and Syria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]