How long have Sunni and Shea Muslims been fighting?

The conflict between Sunni and Shia Muslims dates back to the early years of Islam, specifically to the 7th century, shortly after the death of the Prophet Muhammad in 632 CE. The initial disagreement was over the rightful successor to Muhammad, leading to a split in the Muslim community. While tensions have ebbed and flowed over the centuries, significant violence and conflict, particularly in the form of civil wars and sectarian violence, have intensified in modern times, especially since the late 20th century. Overall, the Sunni-Shia divide has shaped political and social dynamics in many Muslim-majority countries for over a millennium.