NEWS: Thousands of Iraqis Protest U.S. Assault on Najaf

Thousands of Iraqis in five cities, gathered to protest against the assault on the holy city of Najaf and Sadr's militia by U.S. forces. Protest erupted in the cities of Falluja, Baghdad, Kufa, Samawa and Diwaniya. Protesters threw rocks, carried signs and proclaimed "Long live Sadr. Falluja stands by Najaf against America." The Iraqi government is said to currently be in talks with Al-Sadr to negoiate his departure from Najaf.



The protests along with the kidnapping of a British journalist, and threats of secession from southern provinces in Iraq, are a clear message that unrest in Iraq will continue if not intensify unless the issue of unwanted democracy is addressed by the Iraqi Government and the U.S. and Coalition.

Related News Links:
Protests Erupt in Five Iraqi Cities Over Najaf
British Journalist Kidnapped in Basra
Moqtada al-Sadr Reported Injured in Siege of Najaf
Major U.S Offensive Begins In Najaf


[edit on 8-13-2004 by worldwatcher]

"UNWANTED DEMOCRACY?"

Do you actually think that is the problem?
Oh MY GOD!

This has NOTHING TO DO with democracy. They have no idea what it is. They think it is the right to carry signs and shoot at someone.

It is time Iraqis realize they can't use religion as a sword AND a shield.
"You will die in the name of Allah And YOU CAN'T SHOOT ME because I am protected by Allahs buildings." SORRY.

this problem goes beyond what is currently happening in Najaf, have you forgotten that the US and Coalition has no control over Falluja and that there is clearly a large, perhaps alot larger than we are being led to believe anti american, anti democratic sentiment in the country.

It is about time, people start to open their eyes and accept the fact that Iraqis do not want us there, they do not want to be led by a government selected by us and they are not happy with people like Allawi leading them. Yeah we liberated them and they were happy about that, but now when it comes to choosing what they want for themselves, we deny them the democracy that we said we were bringing. You can't keep brushing things under the carpet, at some point it won't be big enough to cover the truth.

Well this is what you get for getting on others peoples nation and affairs.

Democracy is something people have to agree upon not push by other nations.

The people of Iraq have the right to accept or not accept invaders conquerors or policy reformist in their land.

US and coalition forces have over extended their stay in that country, and now the rightful citizens of Iraq wants US out of their lands.

What this administration is going to? US just started the first civilian revolt in that nation with justification; US disregard for the religious believes of the Iraqi people is going to be his failure in the democratic rebuilding of that country.

What is US going to do now? Gather all the Iraqi nationals, put them in concentration camps, and brainwashed them into accepting democracy?

On the other hand, should US start genocide and kill them all.

You decide, after all we brought them freedom of choice now we are killing them for exercising it.

Terrorist did the job they went into Iraq to do, and that was to make the people of Iraq turn against the invaders.

This is going into history as another failure by this administration.

worldwatcher,
Amen to that.

[edit on 13-8-2004 by marg6043]

[edit on 13-8-2004 by marg6043]

It appears the Nation of Iraq is always having menstrual cramps. it is also self evident that the majority of its citizens never had a life other than there devotion to Islam.
Ii appears all they want for a political institution is a therocracy which in all reality is another form of dictatorship.
Most posters feel the U.S. is in the wrong and should withdraw. Assuming we withdraw and we will eventually. What will fill the vacum. You and I both no the answer, another Iran.

What makes American style democracy the "only" allowable way of government.

If they want a theoracy let it happen... the Iraqis don't want McDonalds and corporate advertising on every street courner, they don't want corporations running the governmnet. And for sure, they do not want a US led puppet government.

Actually Sadam manage to keep the Islamic religion at bay and most religious clerics where at house arrest, now US freedom has also brought the freedom of religion and this means that they Islam has free reign.

[edit on 13-8-2004 by marg6043]

Poor ignorant bastards. They have NO idea what they are wishing for.
Perfect population for a Theocracy!

What a great idea, let "them", the ones with the attitude, and the growling
stomachs, hungry for power, rule the place.

By the Pen or sword?
They'll pick the sword. Besides, you can still write with the blood of those who wish to crawl out of the slime that is radical islam.

Then Finally, Iran and Iraq....Allies in the "War against, the war against Terrorism." Good plan.

Time to Humiliate and or Kill Sadr, and move on to the next "Mullah Faqur".

on a side note, did any one read in the news about the Iraqis who protested Sadr a month or so ago?

Not only do we have thousands of protestors but now we have "human shields" This Al-Sadr standoff is going to get real nasty soon.

Iraqi 'human shields' flock to Najaf

About 2000 Iraqi civilian "volunteers" have formed a human shield around Shia leader Muqtada al-Sadr in Najaf as US-led forces besiege the city.

The volunteers cheered al-Sadr in the marble-floored courtyard of the Imam Ali mosque on Monday in an impressive show of force.

Al-Sadr is holed up inside one of Shia Islam's most sacred shrines before an expected American-led offensive.

Travelling to Najaf from across Iraq, the volunteers are swelling the ranks of his supporters and could provide another reason for US troops to think twice before storming the shrine.

"These people are a deterrent to the Americans because they are civilians. They are here so that the Americans won't attack the Imam Ali shrine," said Shaikh Ahmad al-Shaibani, a senior al-Sadr aide.

Any serious damage to the revered site would enrage millions of Shia around the world. However, US commanders have said they do not intend to attack the shrine itself.

The volunteers said they had no serious military training. But they seem ready to fire an AK-47 rifle or rocket-propelled grenade and use any means to try to block an advance by US tanks positioned in neighbourhoods near the shrine.

"I will lie on the ground in front of the tanks, or I will kill the Americans to defend al-Sadr and Najaf," said Fadil Hamid, 30.

Originally posted by flycatch
You and I both no the answer, another Iran.

We don't know the answer because we don't know the future.

If Iraq wants to become a theocracy: please provide compelling arguments why they should not be allowed to.

U.