Violence in Iraq
Death tolls are skyrocketing in Iraq as the violence rages on with no glimmer of hope that it will
subside. On Friday, 35 casualties were attributed to a car bombing and drive-by shootings
throughout Iraq. Among the casualties was Hamza al-Shimmari, a Shiite politician running for
parliament in the upcoming April elections. This last batch of assaults is among many near-daily
attacks that have plagued Iraq, totaling to an astounding 8,868 deaths within the past year. This
resurgence of violence is comparable to the sectarian violence seen in 2006. [ CITATION
Yac14 \l 1033 ]
Since the withdrawal of U.S. troops, violence has been escalating throughout the country.
Unstable government and the increasing influence of al-Qaeda are contributing factors that are
destabilizing the country and adding to the sectarian unrest. These elements intertwine with
