As stated above, ISIS was able to form in Iraq due to the power vacuum created by the removal of all Sunni Muslims from the government, and their replacement with Shi’ite Muslims. This action emphasized the schism that has been prevalent in the Middle East for centuries between the two ethnic groups over who should rule over Islam after the death of the Prophet Muhammad. In 632 A.D, the issue was political leadership, and in 2017, that same issue has yet to be resolved; “‘the Iraq conflict plays out on several levels between Sunnis and Shiites. First and foremost, it's about how to share power in a 21st …show more content…
In fact, numerous Sunni tribes have formed a coalition in support for ISIS, “not because they share a jihadi ideology or have extensive mutual interests”, but because “they are united in their hostility to the Shi’ite-affiliated Baghdad regime” (The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center 2014, 145-148). Although the coalition is not as powerful as ISIS, they contribute to the large foundation of popular support in Iraq (The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center 2014, 148). The Iraqi government, due to the negative social and political impact that results from the divide, applies their “anti-Sunni” attitude toward their fight against