ISIS was formed in Iraq in 2006. They moved into Syria to fight in the Shiite vs. Sunni civil war that gave them the opportunity for their tremendous growth and ascension to regional power. Iraqi forces dropping and leaving behind their weapons when they returned to join their forces in the Sunni tribal areas of Iraq caused their transitioned from the JV team, compared to other Jihadist groups like al Qaeda and al Nusra into the leading Islamic terrorist army. With the abandoned Iraqi military hardware and supplies, looted wealth, permission to rape, pillage and kidnap sex slaves, the troop ranks swelled and recruitment of personnel from across the globe made them the leading Islamic terrorist group in the region and world.
Obama did not prematurely withdraw from Iraq. He and the US followed the promise and treaties made by the previous administration in 2008 and 2011.
