Iraqi civil war (2006–2008)

The Iraqi Civil War (2006–2008) was a period of intense sectarian violence in Iraq following the 2003 invasion by the United States and its allies. While violence had been present since the fall of Saddam Hussein's regime, the period between 2006 and 2008 saw a significant escalation in the conflict, marked by widespread bombings, assassinations, and displacement, primarily along sectarian lines.

The conflict was primarily between Sunni and Shia Muslim populations, exacerbated by political instability, economic grievances, and the presence of insurgent groups such as al-Qaeda in Iraq. The bombing of the al-Askari Mosque in Samarra in February 2006, a highly revered Shia shrine, is widely considered a key catalyst that triggered a surge in retaliatory violence.

Key characteristics of the civil war included:

• Sectarian Violence: Tit-for-tat killings and attacks targeting civilians based on their religious affiliation.
• Rise of Militias: The emergence and strengthening of powerful Sunni and Shia militias who controlled territory and enforced their own forms of law and order. Notable groups included the Mahdi Army (Jaish al-Mahdi) led by Muqtada al-Sadr on the Shia side, and various Sunni insurgent groups aligned with or inspired by al-Qaeda.
• Displacement: Mass displacement of populations as people fled areas where they were in the minority due to fear of violence.
• Government Weakness: A weak and often ineffective central government struggled to maintain order and security.
• Foreign Interference: Involvement of regional powers, particularly Iran and Saudi Arabia, who supported various factions within Iraq.
• U.S. Military Intervention: The U.S. military played a significant role in attempting to stabilize the country, including implementing a "surge" of troops in 2007 aimed at reducing violence in Baghdad and other key areas.

The intensity of the civil war began to decline in 2008, attributed to factors such as the U.S. troop surge, ceasefires negotiated with some militia groups, and the weakening of al-Qaeda in Iraq. However, violence continued at a lower level for several years afterward. The conflict had a devastating impact on Iraqi society, infrastructure, and the country's social fabric, and its legacy continues to shape Iraq's political landscape.