Though Iraq’s government had mostly managed to keep the protesters off the streets over the past several weeks, a massive rally organized by supporters of Moqtada al-Sadr took place in the capital city of Baghdad today. There, tens of thousands of Shi’ites marched to Sadr City, condemning the US and demanding that the American troops leave by December 31.
The march featured thousands of people wearing red white and black Iraqi flag uniforms, and included warnings that the mass of followers of Sadr could reform the Mahdi Army and resist the US occupation if the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) deadline is not honored.
US officials have repeatedly pressed Prime Minister Maliki to accept an open-ended US presence, and have argued that keeping US troops in Iraq would be a great way to spite neighboring Iran.
But they are extremely uncomfortable to hear how unpopular the occupation has become, with US commander Major General Jeffrey Buchanan slamming the protest march, saying it was “an affront to Iraq’s democracy.”
Now get out…, you have done enough damages to countries and by dividing the people of Middle East where you have benefited from.., now get out.., go home take care of your own people whom are hungry and homeless by thousandths more.
america will not leave peaceably she will have to be burnt out many of americas murderers that invaded murdered 1 million iraqis used phosporous munitions,depleted uranium,and utterly destroyed iraq tortured,raped.buggered these hapless people that were no threat all because of "OIL" and they want to stay I SAY BURN THEM OUT
the protest was “an affront to democracy”. that shows how our military and our government actually view protest which is the right and duty of true citizens within any state.
the sooner we leave both iraq and afghanistan the better for all even ourselves.
You have to wonder though – when they leave Iraq they come back here. I wonder if they will leave the protests-are-an-affront-to-democracy dogma overseas – if not we're in for some serious trouble as protests potentially spread in America.
That's true David. But this distorted view is not restricted to Iraq. Wait until protests become more common place in the US. Politicians as well as the military will call them a threat to democracy and the criminals will act accordingly.
Congratulations to the brave Iraqi people. Do Americans need to suffer the same fate before we get up off our asses and put our criminal leaders on trial?
Does rhe American military truely believe that peaceful marches against the US occupation of another country constitutes "an affront on democracy". Which textbooks of democracy do they teach in the US military colleges. When these things happen in Libya, we cheer on the marchers.
The only affront to democracy is the attitude of the American murderers who have invaded and laid waste an ancient civilization.
These people are a hundred times more civilized than OBAMA, CLINTON, GATES and all the other "hangers-on"who are desperately clinging on in Iraq knowing fully well that they have damaged this Country so badly that it constitutes a CRIME AGAINST HUMANITY>
What for americans are there. They have destroyed Irak and killed 1000000 irakis what else.
America always destroyes their allies especially Muslim countries and has posed itself as enemy number of Islam i.e. Muslims.
"Tens of thousands" did not march through Baghdad. In the slum section of Baghdad known as Sadr City, Muqtada al Sadr's militia — in the clothese described — marched, 17,000 in all. Not a huge sum. They marched by houses and people who came out their front door were counted by The Associated Press as "participants." This press spin garbage was taken on by C.I. yesterday in http://thecommonills.blogspot.com/2011/05/teen-id…
Sadr City has 2.5 million residents. A parade went through the area. About a third of the residents went to their front yards to watch it. Observers aren't participants.
Pretending it's more than it was really should be left the Judith Millers of the world.
Are you the sort of "information specialist" that would have first-hand information about such things? I'm glad my tax dollars provide me with your services in Iraq.
Oops! Time for another false-flag bombing of a Sunni mosque to get the natives fighting each other again!
Flag flag…of course, cuz its not like Iraqis would ever blow up each other's holy sites, is it? No, only the Americans would do such a thing.
And what about all those suicide bombers targeting Shiite pilgrims and mosques? Were those suicidal US soldiers dressed up as Arabs?
Would it REALLY surprise you if they were sent by the US in some sort of twisted propaganda stunt? False flag operations are usually pretty easy to pull off- just ask the Israelis.
Of course Iraq wants the American military out.We have killed hundresds of thousands and thats just civilians that the US calles colateral damage.Plus the depleted uranium used that stays and causes major health problems for about 4 billion years if I'm not mistaken.I watched somthing can't remember were but when Iraqies have a chiled they now loner ask if its a boy or girl but if it's normal.WE nopt only killed over 1 million people we turned there country toxic no we want to help rebiled there country that is not even safe to live and were life expectancys are going to be much less.If you look on your internet you will see how lots of babys are born deformed beyond belife.And also get the facts how much more likely adults are to die from things like canser due to the illegal use of depleted use of uranium.
For a while i have wondert what makes Americans tic A few years ago sadam was your freind he got war material from the US to fight Iran.Next thing he is your enemy . Now the same in libya . I am sure i do not want to be your friend