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A Peaceful (!!) Rally in Iraq. Bad News for American Troops

Tens of thousands of people marched in Najaf today to protest the continued American occupation, exactly four years after the fall of Baghdad. (No protests were allowed in Baghdad because the U.S. military shut down the streets.) The protest was anti-American all the way, with chants of "Leave, leave occupier!" and "No, no, to the occupation." The event was organized (or called for, anyway) by Moqtada al-Sadr, and one of his key deputies spoke, saying, "We demand the exit of the occupier and withdrawal of the last American soldier and we also reject the existence of any kind of military bases."

In my mind the most important thing here, after the fact that there is yet more evidence that the Iraqis want nothing to do with us, is the fact that it was a peaceful event. It's safe to say that the majority of the participants were Shiites because al-Sadr is a radical Shiite cleric and major Shiite political player. But the Sunnis stayed away from what was essentially a massive target practice opportunity. Possible reasons: (1) al-Sadr cut some kind of deal, (2) the one thing that brings Iraqis together is hating Americans, or (3) both.

Couple this new sense of cooperation with the face that al-Sadr, who is possibly the most powerful man in Iraq, has called on Iraqis to cease attacking one another to instead focus on killing Americans, and we've got an even more hostile environment in which American forces must operate. Who thought that was even possible?

Update: The number of attendees is in dispute, with estimates ranging from 5,000 to "hundreds of thousands."

Comments

So this is the Bush strategy paying off? Get both sides so hostile towards us that they band together and make agreements with each other to focus on killing Americans?

Posted by: adam on 04/09/07 at 8:18 AM

I highly doubt Sunnis and Shiites are going to suddenly make peace to focus on killing Americans. I suppose our best bet would be to get out so they can duke it out against each other (blood bath) without the interference of us dumb Americans there. If the Iraqis really hate us that much I say we pull out our troops immediately and all funding and then see how much more they like us once their country descends into further chaos. I never supported starting this war but it's a shame we're ultimately going to leave this place a wreck. However, the Iraqis are not worth my tax dollars- [hate speech deleted by moderator].

Posted by: Al Kida on 04/09/07 at 9:27 AM

If the Shiites and Sunnis get to understand each other, Americans are going to be in real trouble. By the way, who happened to bring about the blood bath? Who told the US to invade Iraq1 in the first place? Some people tend to forget things very quickly. They talk as if the US intervened that country out of the compassionate heart they have. The Iraqis NEVER asked to be invaded! Anyway, it's too late for second thoughts. Whatever happens in Iraq IS the responsibility of the American government.

Posted by: Jaime Galarza on 04/09/07 at 12:52 PM

i wish anti war protests were common here. i think gov is lying-as usual-about what will happen if we leave iraq. halliburton isnt moving to dubai for weather. and non-racist imus should say [deleted] ! i cant believe how easily americans get sidetracked w stupid [deleted] when war wages and threatens to expand. kick imus-[deleted] after the real war is over!for best ME news-blogs please see dahr jamail's site-even seymour hersh praises him-also al jazeera and aztlan. tfj2

Posted by: Teresa F. Johnson on 04/09/07 at 2:07 PM

So al-Sadr (better known as "Mooky" or "Iraq's Al Sharpton") got a few thousand to rally to his wacky cause? His party got about 10% of the vote in the last election -- and that's only because his father was a martyr murdered by Saddam.

Friends, we'll be in Iraq for decades -- just like Korea.

Posted by: rrhamilton on 04/09/07 at 5:51 PM

I can't get over this. What right does the U.S. even have being in Iraq? Weapons of Mass Destruction? Not found. Affiliation with Bin Laden? Never shown or proven. Nuclear capapbility? A mess of lies, disinformation, and innuendo.
So. The U.S. is there without any justification other than to give George W. an excuse to posture and swagger around as the Commander-In-Chief, and an opportunity to wear his nifty Commander-In-Chief jacket. Although he is a total imbecile, he continues in ordering U.S. troops to their death with a self-righteous smirk on his face. In the process, he has made a once great country the laughing stock of the world. Meanwhile Bakc in Iraq tens of thousands of people have been made homeless or died since the "liberation". The people hate the U.S. military. Anyone wonder why? If the troops had any sense they'd ask why they are there....or have a protest of their own.

Posted by: longmayouride on 04/09/07 at 7:25 PM

Today on the right wing talk shows they were saying this was a great achievement for the US proving democracy is paying off!! Yes my patriotic feelings were stirred at the wonderous sight of thousands of Iraqis burning US flags, and chanting death threats against America! Bush's brilliant strategy is now paying off!!
(SATIRE..For those that have difficulty understanding the obvious)

Posted by: Charlie on 04/10/07 at 12:36 PM

Golly Jee Leroy, now they're having those god-awful no good Commie peace demonstrations in Iraq. We can't have that, that would ruin all of the Great Bushwacker's plans--how are we going to continue on into Iran if everybody starts demonstrating for peace?

Posted by: Richard Aberdeen on 04/10/07 at 1:26 PM