Thousands protesting in Iraq’s capital set fire to US flags, criticize airstrikes in Syria

[TomSea]

Thousands protesting in Iraq’s capital set fire to US flags, criticize airstrikes in Syria
Sangar Ali Sangar Ali |

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – Thousands of Iraqis took to the streets in several cities on Sunday following a call by influential Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr to protest US-led airstrikes on Syria.

Demonstrations took place in Baghdad, Najaf, and Basra.

“Stop destroying Syria as you destroyed our country,” shouted protesters in Baghdad's Tahrir Square, in reference to the 2003 US operation in Iraq to overthrow Saddam Hussein’s authoritarian regime.

Read more at: http://www.kurdistan24.net/en/news/e2367f83-efb8-40d2-b8e4-dfef5a92c372

[TomSea]

Okay, these people protesting are likely mostly Shias,  Shiites... but I read an article and they are going to have a vote in Iraq in the next few months, on whether the country will continue to accept our troops or to force our 10,000 troops out of Iraq.

This seems a bit significant, for backup, this article seems to have a related discussion:

Tillerson: US could stay in Iraq to fight ISIS, wanted or not
By: Aaron Mehta   October 30, 2017
https://www.defensenews.com/pentagon/2017/10/30/tillerson-us-could-stay-in-iraq-to-fight-isis-wanted-or-not/

Also, for the record, the "Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr" who organized this protest, has called for Assad to step down in the past, I think that's important to mention, it's not like he's necessarily on Assad's side either and this is from a year ago.

Powerful Iraqi Shiite Cleric Muqtada al-Sadr Calls For Assad to Step Down Following Chemical Attack
By Callum Paton On 4/10/17 at 12:45 PM
http://www.newsweek.com/powerful-iraqi-shiite-cleric-moqtada-al-sadr-calls-assad-chemical-attack-581610