Sadr calls for nationwide protests Saturday against US-Israeli strikes

NAJAF — Muqtada al-Sadr called Monday on Iraqis to hold nationwide demonstrations Saturday at 4:30 p.m. to denounce what he described as “Zionist-American aggression” and demand peace in the region, instructing participants to raise only the Iraqi flag and maintain peaceful, unified protests.

“The demonstration should be peaceful with high-level organization in all aspects, most importantly its peaceful nature and unity of chants, and only the Iraqi flag should be raised,” al-Sadr said, adding that protests should continue until sunset.

The call comes as demonstrations have taken place across several Iraqi governorates since the war began Feb. 28, particularly in Shiite-majority areas. In Baghdad, crowds have gathered near the Green Zone, with some attempting to approach or breach the perimeter housing the U.A. Embassy. Security forces deployed tear gas and other measures to prevent access.