Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was a Jordanian militant and the founder of the al-Qaeda affiliate in Iraq. He gained notoriety for his brutal tactics during the Iraq War, including bombings and beheadings, which aimed to incite sectarian violence between Sunni and Shia Muslims. Zarqawi's actions contributed to the destabilization of Iraq following the 2003 invasion. Zarqawi was killed in a U.S. airstrike in June 2006. His death marked a significant moment in the fight against terrorism in Iraq. After his demise, his group evolved into what is now known as ISIS, which continued to carry out violent acts in the region and beyond.