Struggle For Iraq: In Maps

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Struggle For Iraq: In Maps -- BBC

Iraq may be on the verge of breaking up as jihadist militants strengthen their grip on northern and eastern areas of the countries and continue to press south to Baghdad.

It is the biggest threat to Iraq's stability since the withdrawal of US troops at the end of 2011.

The jihadists are led by the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), an al-Qaeda breakaway.

The areas where ISIS is operating largely match areas where al-Qaeda was active during the height of the Sunni insurgency in Iraq between 2004-06.

It was eventually suppressed by the American troop surge.

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