Protesters in Baghdad say, 'No America!'

The protests appear to have been aroused by Muqtada al-Sadr, who released a statement this week via Friday prayers, which railed against “America, the grand devil.” As the U.S. seeks to establish itself in Shiite areas of Baghdad, al-Sadr’s position is perceived by some to be under threat.

But in reality these demonstrations probably represent popular opinion that U.S. troops should leave as soon as possible. As one participant, Raad Salman, told the Times, “Since they came we have seen nothing but poverty, unemployment and hunger.”

Residents of the Shiite neighborhood of Sadr City on Friday showed signs of growing resentment toward the presence of U.S. troops in the area, chanting “No occupation!” and “No America!” in a march demanding the removal of a U.S. base there.

The protest came as U.S. military officials cited Sadr City, stronghold of anti-U.S. cleric Muqtada Sadr, as a success story in a month-old effort to improve security in Baghdad. It also coincided with an announcement that the Pentagon is speeding up the deployment of 2,600 soldiers in a combat aviation brigade. Commanders, who need support troops for the military buildup here, had requested the early deployment.

The troops will bring the number of additional U.S. military personnel being sent to Iraq to enforce the security plan to 28,700, including 7,200 support troops. The security plan was launched Feb. 13 and is scheduled to be at full strength by June.

Posted by Szamko
Just tries to tell the truth.

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