Despite trillions of dollars in debt and hundreds of thousands killed, injured and maimed during Operation Iraqi Freedom, there are still over 45,000 troops remaining in Iraq. That is why there was a massive protest Thursday on the streets of Baghdad where tens of thousands dressed in the colors of the Iraqi flag marched in a military-style parade and chanted "Get out, occupier" in the Shiite slum of Sadr City.
Tens of thousands protest in Baghdad to demand U.S. troops to leave
Tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Baghdad on Thursday to demand that American troops leave the country by the end of the year, local media reported.
The Aswat al-Iraq news agency reported that the demonstration began at around 8 a.m. local time when protesters, mainly followers of Shiite Sadrist leader Muqtada al-Sadr, gathered for a military-style parade and chanted anti-American slogans.
The protesters waved flags and chanted "No, no, America. No, no, occupation. Yes, yes, Iraq. Yes, yes, Zahra'a. Yes, yes, Mahdi." Zahra'a was the name of Fatimatul-Zahraa, the daughter of the Prophet Mohammed and wife of his cousin and grand-son, Imam Ali Bin-Abi Taleb.
Iraqis protest to demand U.S. honors troops' withdrawal deal
The prospect of U.S. troops staying beyond the end of the year sits uncomfortably with many Iraqis, who have routinely questioned American motives following the 2003 U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.
It was a sentiment demonstrated Thursday when followers of radical anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr took to the streets.
"Yes, it is a message to end to occupation," said Hazem al-Araji, a senior al-Sadr aide. "And there will be more parades to put more pressure on the occupiers and the Iraqi government to end the occupation in Iraq."
On August 31, 2010, President Obama stated the Iraq War was over. Since the US still has over 45,000 soldiers stationed in Iraq, it is obvious to the Iraqi people that the US is occupying their country. Many Americans believe the Iraq War is over, but all the Iraqi people see is the never-ending occupation from the US military and hear President Obama say this...
For anyone who answers "yes, they are non-combat troops" to the poll below, I strongly urge you to read this article, April deadliest month for US in Iraq since 2009.