still maintains two bases and approximately 4,000 troops in the country.
Iraq (2012–present)
Considerable tensions remain between various political and sectarian factions in Iraq. The majority Shiite government recognized Asaib Ahl al-Haq, an Iranian-backed militia, as a legitimate political party, and Iranian influence is growing in other ways; in January 2012, the commander of Iran’s Quds Force reportedly said that Iraq (as well as southern Lebanon) were under Iranian control.
The Iraqi National Movement, representing the majority of Sunnis, boycotted Parliament for several weeks in late 2011 and early 2012, claiming that the Shiite-dominated government was striving to sideline Sunnis. In January 2012, Vice President Tariq al-Hashimi, a Sunni, fled to the semi-autonomous Kurdish region after the government accused him of running a sectarian death squad; in February, a panel of Iraqi judges concluded that "death squads commanded by Mr. Hashimi carried out 150 attacks over six years against religious pilgrims, security officers and political foes".
Insurgent forces continue to be active
