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| Iraq |
| Anger and struggles six years after US invasion of Iraq |
| 2009-03-21 |
| Thousands of followers of anti-American Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr called for an end to US occupation of Iraq on Friday, but the government ignored the sixth anniversary of the invasion. Death tolls have tumbled since Iraq's deadliest days in late 2007, and in just three months time American forces are to withdraw from major cities and towns in a prelude to a total pullout in 2011. Neither the Iraqi authorities nor the US military marked the March 20, 2003, invasion that toppled President Saddam Hussein and his totalitarian Baath Party from power. But Sadr's devotees used Friday prayers to call for an end to the American presence. "We reject occupation ... occupiers out," the faithful chanted, fists raised, in Sadr City, an impoverished district of northeast Baghdad, as a US flag was set ablaze. Sheikh Haidar al-Jaberi, a member of Sadr's politburo, called for a major demonstration on April 9, anniversary of the fall of Saddam's Sunni regime. "March 20 should be a festival, but after what the Americans have done, it's a sad day," Jaberi said, referring to the start of spring. "They never kept their promises," added Qassem Zamel, who came to pray. "The Americans came to liberate us from a dictator but they have destroyed the country," said Zamel, who is in his 60s. He said his three sons were arrested in March 2003 and were still in jail, although he did not know why. Shiites - the majority in Iraq - suffered repeated purges under Saddam's brutal 35-year reign and had at first welcomed the "Iraqi Freedom" invasion. The campaign that ousted Saddam was supposed to bring democracy and a better life, but most Iraqis were caught in the maelstrom of violence that swept the country. Sunni insurgents and Al-Qaeda fought US troops and unleashed sectarian warfare with Shiite militia such as Sadr's Mahdi army. Meanwhile in Tokyo, about 500 Japanese demonstrated to call for an early withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, as well as from Afghanistan. They carried banners that read: "Weapons can't solve the Iraqi and Afghan wars." "If we remain silent, I don't think the troops will withdraw" from Iraq and Afghanistan, said organizer Ken Takada. A report released on the eve of the sixth anniversary of the invasion underscored the plight of Iraqis. "Millions of civilians are still facing hardship every day," said International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) president Jakob Kellenberger. |
| Posted by:Fred |
| #7 Been reading Dune again, Ship? |
| Posted by: Deacon Blues 2009-03-21 20:05 |
| #6 Convicted of stone cold democratery I'll wager. Also.... WHERE'S MAI BROOOOOD MONEY! Souk, Souk, Souk.... meh. |
| Posted by: Shipman 2009-03-21 18:57 |
| #5 "They never kept their promises," added Qassem Zamel, who came to pray. "The Americans came to liberate us from a dictator but they have destroyed the country," said Zamel, who is in his 60s. He said his three sons were arrested in March 2003 and were still in jail, although he did not know why C'mon Qassem. Not even a guess? |
| Posted by: Frank G 2009-03-21 13:52 |
| #4 Millions of civilians faced hardships every day under Saddam ... The difference is now Iraq owns their future. Pity their bias clouds the Red Cross' judgement. |
| Posted by: William Marcy Tweed 2009-03-21 13:09 |
| #3 ungrateful do nothings. |
| Posted by: newc 2009-03-21 12:11 |
| #2 Millions of Americans are facing hardship every day but the Islamofascists started the war and we will finish it or die fighting. Besides, can't be that bad as the first western tour bus has arrived in Baghdad. Me thinks this is sour grapes because we are winning the battle for their hearts and minds. Let the Turban Tossing Games begin! |
| Posted by: ThealingBorgia122 2009-03-21 11:28 |
| #1 "Weapons can't solve the Iraqi and Afghan wars." Hey, Tokyo protesters, weapons solved WWII! |
| Posted by: Glenmore 2009-03-21 09:34 |