A recent uptick of Sunni-Shiite violence in Iraq has killed at least 266 people in the past three weeks, according to a CNN tally. The violence has conjured fears that all-out sectarian conflict is starting again.

Sectarian violence unleashed after the US disintegration of Iraq is linked to the Syrian conflict and the death toll will only climb since extremist elements hijacked the sectarian instability in the region, political analyst Chris Bambery told RT.

Here is a look at the deadliest attacks in Iraq since the withdrawal of U.S. troops on Dec. 18, 2011:

At least 23 people are killed in new bomb attacks in Iraq, a day after a wave of bombings across the country left at least 70 people dead.

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