The division of Islam into Sunni and Shiite branches goes far back in Muslim history to the aftermath of the death of the Prophet Muhammad. Its repercussions have rippled through history, with ...

Over the first five days of Israel’s campaign, Iran experienced major losses — in leadership, military assets and nuclear ...

Sunni-led allies of Saudi Arabia have cut diplomatic ties with Shiite Iran, further polarizing the Middle East along the two major branches of Islam. But while almost all of the governments are ...

Reporting from Washington — The battle for dominance in the Middle East draws on ancient enmity between the Shiite and Sunni branches of Islam, but what drives it is a thoroughly modern struggle ...

RFE/RL looks at the similarities and differences between the Shi'a and Sunni branches of Islam. Last week's deadly bombings in Karbala and Baghdad on the Shi'a holy day of Ashura sparked fears of ...

The war draws together Iran-backed Shia and Sunni militants in what appears to be closer cooperation between groups that differ in ideology but are united by opposition to Israel and the U.S.

Around 85 percent of Muslims worldwide adhere to the Sunni branch of Islam, while 15 percent are Shia. The Shia, however, are concentrated in Iran, Iraq and other key territories around the ...

Sunni and Shia muslims: Islam's 1,400-year-old divide explained. The divisions date back to the years immediately after the Prophet Mohammed’s death ...

Saudi Arabia has historically followed the Sunni branch of Islam, while Iran has followed the Shia branch. The split between the two branches dates back to the seventh-century, when it arose amid ...

Syed was from the Sunni branch of Islam and prayed together at Albuquerque's Islamic Center of New Mexico (ICNM) mosque with most of the victims, three of whom were from the Shi'ite branch of Islam.