<P> Following the United States withdrawal from Iraq in December 2011 , the country drifted further into Iran 's sphere of influence . The instability that resulted from the Iraqi Civil War and the rise of ISIL threatened the existence of the Iraqi regime and led to an Iranian intervention in 2014 . Iran mobilized Shia militia groups to halt and ultimately push back the advancing Sunni insurgency . </P>
<P> Following the United States withdrawal from Iraq in December 2011 , the country drifted further into Iran 's sphere of influence . The instability that resulted from the Iraqi Civil War and the rise of ISIL threatened the existence of the Iraqi regime and led to an Iranian intervention in 2014 . Iran mobilized Shia militia groups to halt and ultimately push back the advancing Sunni insurgency . </P>
what two groups represent the middle eastern conflict in iraq
what two groups represent the middle eastern conflict in iraq
Shia Sunni
Shia Sunni