Iraq: 'National Day' of occupation

azzaman: The third anniversary of the U.S. occupation of Baghdad and the removal of its dictator Saddam Hussein was declared a 'National Day' by the government. But it passed without any festivities.

On the contrary, thousands of people went to the streets in Mosul, Iraq's second largest city denouncing the occupation and condemning the government for declaring the day (April 9) a national holiday.

No doubt Iraqis are not unanimous in their view of the U.S. invasion, which some may still see as 'liberation'.

But for the majority of Iraqis, April 9, the day U.S. troops entered Baghdad three years ago forcing Saddam Hussein to flee, is a reminder of little more than death, car bombs, kidnappings and continuing military operations.

There were demonstrations in the southern city of Basra praising the day because it helped the country get rid of its former tormentor, Saddam Hussein.

Iraqi Shiite leaders, though disappointed with the course of events, are apparently happy to have Saddam removed from power.

Iraqi Sunnis, who have fiercely resisted U.S. occupation, turning their areas into rebel strongholds, denounced the day and vowed to turn it from 'a day of occupation to a day of resistance.'

Sunni political factions have lashed out at the government for declaring April 9 a holiday.

"This is an anniversary of the occupation of the country and not its liberation," said the Iraqi Islamic Party, a major Sunni group. Read more