Protesters marched through the streets, burning American flags and chanting “no, no for occupation.” It was yet another reminder of just how much resentment remains in Iraq over the American military presence.

The supporters of Shi’ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr took to the streets in numerous Iraqi cities after Friday prayers, calling on US and Iraqi forces to release detained members of their faction who “were not involved in acts of violence against Iraqis in accordance with the directives of Sayyid Moqtada al-Sadr.”

The protests come in the wake of the six-year anniversary of the American invasion of Iraq, at a time when many are wondering how much longer the American presence will continue and how much longer the Iraqi populace will have to wait for a return to normalcy.

Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz

• Nigerian Airstrike Kills 37 Civilians Along Niger Border - February 18th, 2015
• Libyan ISIS' Mediterranean Outposts Have Italy Scrambling to War - February 18th, 2015
• Kurds Repel ISIS Offensive Southwest of Irbil - February 18th, 2015
• Officials: EU Considering Mending Ties With Assad - February 18th, 2015
• UN: Afghan Civilian Casualties Increased 22 Percent in 2014 - February 18th, 2015