Thousands protest in Baghdad against US presence: "Everyone is out"
The "Million March" was organized by the Shiite evangelist Muqadata a-Seder following the Sulimani assassination and the Iraqi militias. Protesters against the government fear that the protest against Washington will overshadow their own. "Not to America, not to Israel, not to the occupiers," they shouted. Trump refuses to take the forces out of the country
Thousands protest in Baghdad against US presence: "Everyone is out"
Photo: Reuters, Edit: Amit Simcha Thousands of people protested on Friday in the center of Baghdad in protest of US presence in the country, following the assassination of senior Shiite militias Abu Mahdi al-Mohandas and Iranian Quds Force commander Qassem Suleimani.
Protesters have responded by calling on Shiite advocate Muqeda a-order for "million march" to exert pressure on Washington to withdraw its forces from the state, but many protesters in recent months protesting against government fear that their separate protest will overshadow one, which focuses among other things on pro-Iranian Shiite militias .
Order opposes all foreign presence in Iraq, but more recently has come closer to Iran, whose close associates have had a major influence on state institutions since the US invasion of the country in 2003, which overthrew Saddam Hussein's regime.
The marchers began to gather early in the morning in Al-Huria Square in central Baghdad and near the city's main university. They avoided arriving at Tahrir Square, a center of protest by the anti-government protest movement.
"We want everyone out there - America, Israel and the corrupt politicians in the government," said Rad Abu Zahra, a health worker from the southern city of Samawa, who arrived by bus during the night to Seder City, a suburb in Baghdad where the preacher's supporters live. "We also support the protesters in Tahrir, but understand why an order is being held here so that it does not take their attention from them," he added.
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A week and a half later: US announces that 11 soldiers were injured in Iraq's missile attack during Iran's missile attack: US troops hid in Saddam's Israeli patent bunkers for home use to end baldness problems of both sexesThe protestors' square against the government was avoided. 'The Million March' in Baghdad, today (Photo: Reuters)
Demonstration against US presence, Baghdad, Iraq, January 24, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)
Men and women waved the national flags and shouted against the United States, who at this point refused to comply with the demand for withdrawal. President Donald Trump said this week after speaking with Iraqi President that nationals "like" the US presence in the country, to which he returned to fight the "Islamic State" (ISIS).
Some wore white robes, indicating their willingness to die for the state, while others surveyed the square from construction sites, holding signs that read "Not to America, not to Israel, not to occupiers." Witnesses said the protesters defended a-Sderat a-Salam men and Shiite militants. The protesters also carried figures of Trump cardboard, wrapped around hanging ropes.
It is unclear whether protesters are planning to reach the U.S. embassy complex, which earlier this month was under siege by militia supporters, which eventually led to the Trump administration's decision to eliminate Suleimani.
Central roads in Baghdad were blocked by security forces, and concrete barriers were erected around the "green zone" where the foreign embassies are located. Outside the US embassy, a sign reads: "Warning. Do not cross the checkpoint, we will use preventive measures against any attempt to cross it."
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To the full articleCall for US to leave. Protesters in Baghdad, today (Photo: Reuters)
Demonstration against US presence, Baghdad, Iraq, January 24, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)
Suleimani's assassination on Iraqi soil has heightened fears of deepening ethnic conflict in the country and has become a scene of conflict between the United States and Iran. Tehran fired missiles at US targets in Iraq in revenge on Suleimani, and several US soldiers suffered head injuries.
In addition, Iraq's parliament voted to end the US presence in the country on the basis of ethnic division. Shiites were in favor, while Sunni and Kurdish lawmakers boycotted the debate.
(Photo: Reuters)
Demonstration against US presence, Baghdad, Iraq, January 24, 2020 (Photo: Reuters)