The depths of sectarian violence in Iraq did not just stop at sparking a civil war between Iraqis. Rather, the rise of terrorism in the form of jihadist militant groups such as Al-Qaeda (AQI) and Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) is also closely attributed to the insurgency and violence between Iraqi Sunnis and Shi’a. The insurgency that was occurring within Iraq was overlooked by then President George Bush who gave a “mission accomplished” speech in 2003 about the role of foreign influence on Iraq and claimed major combat forces had ended within the country. On the contrary, the Western Coalition forces thought that this was a “miscalculation” on Bush’s part given that the situation of the turmoil from the insurgents was only beginning to escalate with the poor security conditions in Iraq. The ideology of these militant groups is the belief that their organization can benefit from the sectarian disorder to rise as the defender of the Sunni community and then form an Islamic state. Suicide bombings were targeted at official buildings, Shi’a holy shrines and Shi’a-populated cities that would continue among other leaders of AQI until eventually the militant group changed strategies.

ISIS was then formed on a new ideology because Al-Qaeda’s former Ba’thist one was not successful in attracting Sunni followers for Sunni insurgency. To solve this block in their ideology, the members decided that forming an alliance with radical Islamists would be a smart move that would also warrant key positions in Sunni insurgency. ISIS promotes any sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shi’a while at the same time attacking Shi’a civilians to generate hatred for Sunnis, as previously done by Sunni insurgents. ISIS steps in acting as the only “savior” that can protect Sunnis from Shi’a attacks.

In June 2014, ISIS took control of one of Iraq’s largest cities, Mosul. In response, Shi’i cleric (marja’) Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani issued a fatwa(Islamic religious ruling) to protect Iraq and counterattack ISIS. As a result, Iraq’s Popular Mobilization Forces (Hashd al-Shaabi) was installed, comprised of mainly Shi’a fighters. Their goal was to recapture the city of Mosul from ISIS control and launch into action, but in May of 2015 their attention was redirected when ISIS militants captured the city of Ramadi in the Anbar province. The Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) fought to recover Ramadi and in December 2015, the city was recaptured. In May 2016, ISIS forces captured the city of Fallujah only to be liberated by PMF a month later, in June 2016. Nevertheless, the aim to recapture Mosul has not been forgotten and offensives for liberation have not ceased.

The damage created by ISIS’s presence is extensive and has greatly affected Iraqis in the region. In a span of 21 months, ISIS has killed at least 19,000 Iraqi civilians and has held about 3,500 women and children captive as a form of sexual slavery. People have been forced to leave their homes and cities as a result of the violence. As of the end of 2015, there are 3.5 million internally displaced Iraqis and the UN predicts that the number may exceed three million in the near future. After abandoning their homes in search of stability and security elsewhere in Iraq, if that truly exists, these Iraqis face even tougher circumstances when they arrive in cities and have a difficult time to register with the Ministry of Migration and Displacement due to not having proper paperwork. Thus, they are unable to receive a monthly stipend from the government to assist them in living their lives and are forced to try to make ends meet elsewhere. Often times while driving through the streets of Iraq you will look out and see a woman with her hand held out, a young girl selling tissue boxes and water, and teenage boys with spray bottles and towels to clean your windows.

The numbers and facts may not be able to accurately reflect how dreadfully Iraqi civilians are suffering but this is the horrible reality that they are living in and have been anguishing for years. Sadly, Iraq has only become another news topic to shed light on the negatives occurring in the country and not for any positives or accomplishments that have been reached. What was once the cradle of civilization, home of some of the greatest ruins and artifacts in history and a leading country in development has now only been reduced to death, suffering, and war and violence.