After the American invasion of Iraq in 2003, many Shiite armed groups and militias emerged in different forms and affiliations and were directly involved in the Iraqi civil war.
These militias differed in terms of strength and influence, depending on their connections and penetration of the Iraqi security agencies. The presence of these groups and militias has by no means been fortuitous.
Many historical transformations and circumstances contributed to their emergence, and their expansion has torn out Iraq apart and flooded the country with violence and sectarian conflicts.
