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Iraqi cleric al-Sadr and followers tell US "Go Home"
Continue reading on Examiner.com Iraqi cleric al-Sadr and followers tell US "Go Home" - National Law Enforcement | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/law-enforcem...#ixzz1OKkhLPBL
Police and security advisors contracted to train Iraq's police and police commandos are wondering if it's now time to end their stint in that country and return to the United States, a law enforcement instructor told the Law Enforcement Examiner
Radical Islamists, especially those allied with the anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, held a surprisingly large protest on Friday, parading on the streets of Baghdad to show support for Iraqi leaders who do not want any U.S. troops in their country after December.
The U.S. police source revealed that tens of thousands of al-Sadr's followers carried Iraqi flags and shouted "Get out, America!" In addition to the civilian population involved in the rally, members of the Mahdi Army, as al-Sadr's own personal militia is known, marched threateningly through Baghdad streets.
The crowds painted U.S., Israeli and British flags walkways and then stomped on them as they marched. The Iraqi military were present and stood guard to keep peace if needed, but did not interfere with the protesters or al-Sadr's militia.
While the protest's leaders boasted that more than 700,000 militiamen and al-Sadr supporters participated on the streets, the U.S. military claimed the crowd's number was closer to 70,000.
Al-Sadr stated that the rally's purpose was to send a loud and clear message to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki that there is an enormous amount of opposition by Iraq's most devout Shiites to a continued U.S. and British military presence in 2012.
Under a security agreement between the Obama White House and the government in Baghdad, the 46,000 combat troops still in Iraq are required to leave by December 31, 2011. But Iraq's widespread instability -- such as terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda in Iraq -- is causing U.S. and Iraqi military commanders to wonder if the deadline is premature and perhaps troops should remain an additional 6 months after the December 31 deadline for the sake of Iraqi security.
While al-Sadr was not present during the rally, according to both his militia and the Iraqi government, his followers claimed that within a caravan of vehicles an SUV was believed to be carrying al-Sadr, but cleric did not exit any of the vehicles.
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Though the rally was billed as a peaceful demonstration there were many threats made against the U.S. and warning Americans of increased violence if their troops stay.
According to the American Forces Press Service, American troops in Baghdad and southern Iraq have seen an increase in rocket and mortar attacks as well as roadside bombs in recent months. U.S. officials have blamed terrorist attacks on Shiite Muslims backed by the Iranian government who are hoping to get credit for driving Americans out of Iraq.
Thousands of members of al-Sadr's militia wore T-shirts bearing the Iraqi flag while rank-and-file protesters burned American and Israeli flags. Muslim children also struck American flags with martial arts kicks and moves which caused crowds to cheer.
Continue reading on Examiner.com Iraqi cleric al-Sadr and followers tell US "Go Home" - National Law Enforcement | Examiner.com http://www.examiner.com/law-enforcem...#ixzz1OKkhLPBL
Police and security advisors contracted to train Iraq's police and police commandos are wondering if it's now time to end their stint in that country and return to the United States, a law enforcement instructor told the Law Enforcement Examiner
Radical Islamists, especially those allied with the anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, held a surprisingly large protest on Friday, parading on the streets of Baghdad to show support for Iraqi leaders who do not want any U.S. troops in their country after December.
The U.S. police source revealed that tens of thousands of al-Sadr's followers carried Iraqi flags and shouted "Get out, America!" In addition to the civilian population involved in the rally, members of the Mahdi Army, as al-Sadr's own personal militia is known, marched threateningly through Baghdad streets.
The crowds painted U.S., Israeli and British flags walkways and then stomped on them as they marched. The Iraqi military were present and stood guard to keep peace if needed, but did not interfere with the protesters or al-Sadr's militia.
While the protest's leaders boasted that more than 700,000 militiamen and al-Sadr supporters participated on the streets, the U.S. military claimed the crowd's number was closer to 70,000.
Al-Sadr stated that the rally's purpose was to send a loud and clear message to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki that there is an enormous amount of opposition by Iraq's most devout Shiites to a continued U.S. and British military presence in 2012.
Under a security agreement between the Obama White House and the government in Baghdad, the 46,000 combat troops still in Iraq are required to leave by December 31, 2011. But Iraq's widespread instability -- such as terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda in Iraq -- is causing U.S. and Iraqi military commanders to wonder if the deadline is premature and perhaps troops should remain an additional 6 months after the December 31 deadline for the sake of Iraqi security.
While al-Sadr was not present during the rally, according to both his militia and the Iraqi government, his followers claimed that within a caravan of vehicles an SUV was believed to be carrying al-Sadr, but cleric did not exit any of the vehicles.
Advertisement
Though the rally was billed as a peaceful demonstration there were many threats made against the U.S. and warning Americans of increased violence if their troops stay.
According to the American Forces Press Service, American troops in Baghdad and southern Iraq have seen an increase in rocket and mortar attacks as well as roadside bombs in recent months. U.S. officials have blamed terrorist attacks on Shiite Muslims backed by the Iranian government who are hoping to get credit for driving Americans out of Iraq.
Thousands of members of al-Sadr's militia wore T-shirts bearing the Iraqi flag while rank-and-file protesters burned American and Israeli flags. Muslim children also struck American flags with martial arts kicks and moves which caused crowds to cheer.
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