Mass Protests in Iraq Against US-Israeli Conflict Mark Largest Since 2003 Invasion

Thousands of protesters flooded the streets of Baghdad and other Iraqi cities on Saturday, uniting in a powerful show of defiance against the escalating US-Israeli conflict with Iran. The demonstrations, organized by supporters of Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, drew tens of thousands of participants who filled Tahrir Square and other key locations with chants, banners, and a palpable sense of urgency. The event marked one of the largest public expressions of opposition to foreign intervention in Iraq since the 2003 US-led invasion, highlighting the country's deepening entanglement in regional tensions that have left it vulnerable to attacks on both American interests and pro-Iranian groups operating within its borders.

In Tahrir Square, the heart of Baghdad's political activism, crowds surged through the streets, waving Iraqi flags and shouting slogans in unison. "No, no to Israel!" and "No, no to America!" echoed across the square, where women—uncommonly visible in such protests—joined men in voicing their discontent. Dhirgham Samir, a 40-something demonstrator, told AFP that the war being waged by the US and Israel was not a military conflict but a "senseless" campaign targeting civilians. His words resonated with many in the crowd, who viewed the violence as a broader assault on justice and sovereignty across the Middle East. Samir emphasized that the protest was not solely about Iraq's plight but a global call to action against what he called "arrogance and injustice."

The demonstrations came amid a regional crisis that has already claimed thousands of lives since the conflict began. Iraqi officials have repeatedly warned that the country is being drawn into a proxy war with devastating consequences. Protests in Baghdad's Tahrir Square were not limited to anti-war rhetoric; they also included scathing critiques of foreign powers meddling in Iraq's affairs. Beneath the towering Freedom Monument—where Iraq's declaration of independence in 1958 is commemorated—protesters gathered to denounce what they described as a "Zionist-American aggression" that threatens not only Iraq but the entire region.

Ali al-Fartousi, a Muslim leader present at the protest, told AFP that the US and Israel had violated the rights of people across the Middle East, demanding that the global community rise to confront them. "Humanity must speak out against these people and stop them," he said, adding that the time had come for the world to unite against what he called "global Zionist-American arrogance." His remarks reflected a sentiment shared by many in the crowd, who viewed the war as part of a broader pattern of foreign interference in the region's affairs.

Muqtada al-Sadr, whose political and religious influence spans millions of Iraqis, has long positioned himself as a vocal critic of both US and Israeli policies. His calls for peaceful demonstrations to "condemn the Zionist-American aggression" have drawn widespread support, particularly among Iraq's Shia majority. Sadr's ability to mobilize large crowds is a testament to his deep-rooted connections within Iraqi society, where his representatives hold sway in key ministries and official institutions despite his history of opposing various governments. The protests, however, also underscored the precarious balance Sadr must navigate as he seeks to channel public anger into political leverage without further destabilizing an already fragile nation.

As the demonstrations continued, the sheer scale of the turnout served as a stark reminder of Iraq's vulnerability in a conflict it did not initiate but cannot escape. For many participants, the protest was not just about condemning foreign aggression—it was a plea for international accountability and a demand that the world recognize the human cost of a war that has already claimed countless lives across the region.