The Growth of Insurgency and Sectarian Violence Flashcards

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In Iraq after 2003, what does "insurgency" mean?

It means armed groups fighting against the new Iraqi government and foreign troops. They used violence, not elections, to try to gain power.

Name two main reasons why the Iraqi insurgency grew after the 2003 invasion.

The US disbanded the Iraqi army, leaving many trained men jobless and angry. The US also banned many Baath Party members from state jobs, so many Sunnis felt shut out of power.

Which people made up many of the early Sunni insurgents in Iraq?

Many were former Iraqi soldiers and Baath Party members. Some were also Sunni tribal fighters from central and western Iraq.

What tactics did insurgents commonly use against coalition and Iraqi forces?

They used roadside bombs, called IEDs. They also used suicide bombers, snipers and kidnappings.

In Iraq, what is meant by "sectarian violence"?

It is violence between different religious groups. In Iraq this was mainly fighting between Sunni and Shia Muslims.

How did al‑Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) try to increase sectarian violence?

AQI carried out deadly attacks on Shia civilians and holy places. They hoped this would cause a civil war between Sunnis and Shias.

What happened at the Shia al‑Askari mosque in Samarra in 2006, and why did it matter?

Insurgents blew up its golden dome in a bombing. This attack led to a sharp rise in sectarian revenge killings across Iraq.

Name one major Shia militia involved in the violence and say what it did.

The Mahdi Army, led by Muqtada al‑Sadr, was a key Shia militia. Its members fought US troops and were blamed for attacks on Sunni areas.

How did sectarian death squads change the pattern of violence in Iraq?

Armed gangs kidnapped and murdered people because of their sect. They often left bodies in public places to spread fear and drive people out.

Give two ways ordinary Iraqi civilians were affected by the insurgency and sectarian violence.

Many civilians were killed or injured in bombings and shootings. Millions more had to flee their homes and became refugees inside or outside Iraq.

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