Iraq Rises Against Iran War – Sadr Brings Vast Crowds Into the Streets
Vast crowds rally across Iraq against the US-Israeli war on Iran in one of the largest mobilizations since February 28.
By Palestine Chronicle Editors
Key Takeaways
- Large crowds gathered across Iraq following a call by Muqtada al-Sadr rejecting the US-Israeli war on Iran.
- Demonstrations appear among the most significant organized mobilizations in Iraq since the war began on February 28.
- Iranian and regional media frame protests as part of a broader response to ongoing attacks on Iran.
Mass Protests Across Iraq
Large numbers of Iraqis gathered in Baghdad and several provinces on Saturday in demonstrations rejecting the ongoing US-Israeli war on Iran, responding to a call by prominent cleric and political leader Muqtada al-Sadr.
According to Al Mayadeen, protesters traveled from multiple provinces and remained for hours in public squares, including Baghdad’s Tahrir Square, expressing opposition to the ongoing military campaign.
Crowds were also reported in southern cities, including Basra, with demonstrators carrying Iraqi flags and chanting against US and Israeli attacks on Iran.
Footage published by Reuters showed supporters of Sadr filling central squares and major streets in Baghdad and other cities, as demonstrators rallied against the ongoing US-Israeli assault on Iran.
Sadr’s Call and Message
Sadr’s call for demonstrations played a central role in mobilizing the turnout.
In a message addressed to protesters, he said: “Thank you for your honorable stance that pleases friends and angers enemies.”
The statement, widely circulated in Iraqi and regional media, underscored the political and symbolic framing of the protests, which were presented as a public stand against external aggression.
Largest Mobilization
The demonstrations appear to be among the largest organized protests in Iraq since the start of the war on February 28, when US and Israeli forces launched a joint offensive on Iran.
Earlier protests in Iraq following the outbreak of the war were smaller and often limited in scope, with some linked to specific factions or taking place near sensitive areas such as the Green Zone in Baghdad.
By contrast, Saturday’s protests drew extensive participation from multiple cities and provinces, reflecting a broader and more coordinated mobilization.
Regional coverage, including Iranian outlets such as Tasnim and Press TV, described the demonstrations as large-scale expressions of solidarity with Iran and opposition to US military presence in the region.
Muqtada al-Sadr
Muqtada al-Sadr is one of the most influential political and religious figures in Iraq, with a base that extends deeply into both society and the political system.
He emerged as a central figure following the 2003 US invasion, building his influence through opposition to foreign military presence and through networks rooted in Iraq’s urban centers, particularly among poorer and working-class communities.
His movement later formed the Mahdi Army, which played a major role in armed resistance against US forces during some of the most intense phases of the occupation, including confrontations in Najaf and Baghdad.
Over the years, Sadr transitioned into a dominant political actor while maintaining his ability to mobilize supporters in the streets. His bloc has remained a key force in Iraq’s political landscape, often shaping the balance of power in government formation.
At the same time, Sadr has positioned himself independently within Iraq’s Shiite political space, at times diverging from both US-backed political currents and Iran-aligned factions, while maintaining a strong nationalist discourse.
His calls for demonstrations have repeatedly translated into large-scale mobilizations across Iraq, underscoring his continued influence over public political action.
Our Strategic Analysis
Today’s protests in Iraq represent one of the clearest expressions of unity against the ongoing war, bringing together large segments of the country’s political and social base in a coordinated public response.
They send a direct message to the US: Iraq cannot be used as a launch pad for attacks, nor pressured into playing a role in a war that extends beyond its borders, particularly as US military assets and bases remain active inside the country.
They also signal to the Iraqi government the limits of public tolerance, warning against any alignment with external pressure or policies that could draw Iraq further into the conflict.
At the same time, the protests reflect solidarity with Iran and a shared rejection of US military intervention, echoing long-standing opposition among Iraqi constituencies to foreign military presence since the 2003 invasion.
Iraq remains central to US and Israeli strategic calculations, given its geographic position, its network of military bases, and its internal political divisions, which have often been leveraged during periods of regional escalation.
The scale of today’s mobilization, particularly under Muqtada al-Sadr, underscores growing public opposition to Iraq being drawn into the conflict.
It reflects a clear warning against the use of Iraqi territory, airspace, or political institutions as part of the war on Iran, reinforcing long-standing sensitivities over sovereignty and foreign military presence.
(Al Mayadeen, PC, Reuters, Tasnim, Press TV, Alsumaria)