Kurds and Shia politicians held a parliamentary majority of 80 per cent following the 2003 US invasion of Iraq. The two groups drafted the constitution single-handedly, says Ramzi Mardini, an Iraq analyst at the Atlantic Council, and have since salvaged governments on the verge of collapse without any Sunni participation.

[…]

Kurdish parties still have strong ties with the Shia opposition, which would likely prevent deep communal strife. Analysts like Mr Mardini, however, say such problems could grow if political reconciliation is not achieved or if Iraq disintegrates during the current turmoil.