Sadrists protest Gaza operation in Baghdad

BAGHDAD / IraqiNews.com: Thousands of Sadrists, or Iraqis loyal to Shiite Cleric Moqtada al-Sadr, on Wednesday took to Baghdad streets protesting the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip. “The demonstration has set off from Sadr’s office and marched toward al-Sadriyeen Square, where 10,000 Sadrist parliamentarians, men of religion, chieftains, and women joined,” a media source from Sadr’s office told IraqiNews.com. Hundreds of Palestinians were reported killed or wounded after Israeli F-16 bombers launched a series of air strikes against multiple targets in the Hamas-run territories. Israel said the operation was in response to rockets fired into Israeli towns and villages by Hamas and other militant groups based in Gaza. On Saturday, the Iraqi government condemned the attacks, calling for an immediate cessation of violence. SS (P) 1