NewsMine — war-on-terror — iraq — insurgency — 2006 — 06-aug-dec — Viewing Item

Thousands mass for anti israel protest Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/COL426411.htm http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/COL426411.htm Thousands mass in Baghdad for anti-Israel protest 04 Aug 2006 10:57:01 GMT Source: Reuters BAGHDAD, Aug 4 (Reuters) - Thousands of supporters of radical Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, chanting "We are your soldiers" and burning the Israeli flag, massed in Baghdad on Friday to protest against Israel's offensive in Lebanon. Sadr had called on his supporters to converge on the city for the rally after Friday prayers in the sprawling eastern Baghdad slum of Sadr City, a stronghold for his Mehdi Army militia that has battled Iraqi and U.S. troops in recent weeks. "With God's help, the Mehdi Army and Hizbollah will be victorious," chanted the protesters, some symbolically wearing white burial shrouds, during the peaceful demonstration. State television said a million people had gathered for the rally, but this could not be independently confirmed. A dense sea of marchers slowly moved along al Shuhada, the slum's main street, many waving yellow Hizbollah flags and holding pictures of the Shi'ite militant group's leader, Hassan Nasrallah. "Oh Allah, Oh Allah, make Hassan Nasrallah triumph," they chanted. Iraq's Shi'ite-dominated government last month denounced Israel's "criminal" raids on Lebanon and warned that the violence could escalate across the Middle East. Fighting between Israel and Hizbollah broke out on July 12, following a cross-border raid by Hizbollah during which two Israeli soldiers were captured. As elsewhere in the Middle East, criticism of Israel, the United States' closest regional ally, is also widespread in Iraq. Sadr, one of the most influential Shi'ite leaders in Iraq, is a key player in the new national unity government of Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki. But many Sunnis have blamed his militias for death squad killings that fuel a worsening cycle of sectarian violence U.S. and Iraqi officials fear is pushing the country ever closer towards all-out civil war. His fighters deny the charges.

100 americans die in iraq in month { September 2006 } Alqaeda blamed for shia attack in sadr city { November 23 2006 } Alsadr asks sunni leader to stop bloodshed { November 25 2006 } Attack on baghdad slum kills 161 { October 2006 } Attacks in iraq at record high says pentagon { November 2006 } Bombing at bakery kills British control of basra iraq continues { October 2006 } British journalists unlawfully killed by US forces { October 13 2006 } Charity worker slain in iraq { October 10 2006 } Former insurgents now look to US for protection { December 13 2006 } Iraq deaths multiply in new august count Iraq families exodus to escape violence { October 18 2006 } Iraq suicide bomber kills 63 { November 2006 } Iraq to take control of armed forces { August 2006 } Iraqi factions undercut plan to isolate extremists { December 22 2006 } Iraqis launch probe in rape murder of 14 year old { August 23 2006 } Militias splintering into radicalized cells { October 19 2006 } Record 3709 iraqis killed in october 2006 Report says 600k iraqi deaths since war { September 2006 } Sadr city checkpoints to be lifted { September 2006 } Shiite religious leader sistani pushes elections { December 20 2006 } Snipers kill 209 shiite pilgrims in iraq Spike in iraq violence claims 43 lives { September 18 2006 } Thousands mass for anti israel protest US casualties surge amid worsening iraq violence { October 12 2006 } Violence in iraq kills 10 US troops { October 18 2006 } Files Listed: 26

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