Iraqis rally in support of Bahrainis

Fri Mar 18, 2011

Thousands of Iraqis have poured into the streets in major cities across the country to protest against Saudi Arabia's military intervention in Bahrain.

Waving Iraqi and Bahraini flags, the demonstrators, mainly Shias, expressed their full support for Bahraini protesters who are facing a deadly crackdown.

In Baghdad's Sadr City about 10,000 followers of cleric Muqtada al-Sadr marched following the Friday Prayers to show solidarity with anti-government protesters in Bahrain. The crowds also vowed to go to the rescue of their Bahraini brethren.

"These protests are the beginning of support for the Bahraini people and if the Saudi and Bahraini rulers won't respond, we will act, even if we are forced to go and be human shields," said Muhanad al-Gharrawi, a Sadr aide.

Similar protest rallies were also held in the holy city of Najaf, Basra, Baquba and Kirkuk.

"This is a sectarian war led by Saudi [Arabia]. It is the beginning of the downfall of Saudi [Arabia] itself," Ahmed Nour Addin, an unemployed university graduate told AFP in Basra.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki and his ruling Shia bloc have also condemned the deployment of Saudi troops in Bahrain

Many countries, including Iran, Lebanon and Kuwait, have condemned Saudi Arabia's military invasion of Bahrain.

The protests came after Bahraini and Saudi forces, backed by tanks and helicopters, attacked anti-government demonstrators in the capital's Pearl Square on Wednesday, killing at least six protesters and wounding dozens of others.

Saudi forces also attacked Manama's main hospital where the injured were being treated, taking all people inside the building including doctors and nurses hostage.

On Friday, Bahraini authorities razed Pearl Square to the ground.

Anti-government protesters had been camped there for several weeks.

Source: PressTV.
Link: http://www.presstv.ir/detail/170633.html.