Al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI) was a militant group that emerged in the early 2000s during the Iraq War. It was initially led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi and aimed to establish an Islamic state in Iraq. AQI was known for its brutal tactics, including bombings and assassinations, targeting both military and civilian populations. The group gained notoriety for its violent insurgency against U.S. forces and the Iraqi government. After Zarqawi's death in 2006, AQI struggled with internal divisions and competition from other groups. Eventually, it evolved into ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria), which expanded its operations beyond Iraq.