Iraq(The COW News Digital)Large-scale protests erupted in the Iraqi capital Baghdad after remarks by US President Donald Trump were widely perceived as interference in Iraq’s internal political affairs. Demonstrators took to the streets near the heavily fortified Green Zone, expressing anger over what they described as foreign meddling in the country’s sovereign decisions.
According to news agencies, the protests intensified following a statement by President Trump regarding Iraq’s political leadership. Supporters of former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki were among those leading the demonstrations, chanting anti-American slogans and condemning Washington’s comments on Iraq’s domestic politics.
Protesters were seen waving Iraqi flags while burning images of the American flag, sending a strong symbolic message against foreign influence. Demonstrators declared that Iraq’s political future must be determined solely by its people, rejecting any external pressure or conditions tied to international support.
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Many protesters argued that the selection of Iraq’s prime minister is an internal matter and that no foreign government, including the United States, has the right to dictate or influence that process. “Iraq belongs to Iraqis,” protesters chanted, calling for respect for national sovereignty and independence.
The demonstrations were triggered by comments made by President Trump on his social media platform, Truth Social, a day earlier. In his post, Trump warned that the United States would not provide assistance to Iraq if Nouri al-Maliki were to be elected again as prime minister. He described Maliki’s potential return to power as a “wrong decision,” claiming that Iraq had suffered from poverty and insecurity during his previous tenure.
Trump further stated that without US support, Iraq would have little chance of achieving stability, prosperity, or freedom. His remarks sparked widespread backlash among Iraqi political groups and the general public, many of whom viewed the comments as an infringement on Iraq’s right to self-determination.
Political analysts in Baghdad say the protests reflect long-standing public frustration over foreign involvement in Iraq’s political landscape. While the United States has played a major role in Iraq since 2003, calls for reducing external influence have grown stronger in recent years across different political and social segments.
Security forces were deployed around sensitive areas of the capital to prevent unrest from escalating, though no major clashes were reported. Officials urged calm while reaffirming the right of citizens to protest peacefully.
The Iraqi government has not yet issued an official response to President Trump’s remarks, but sources suggest the issue is being closely monitored at the highest levels. Observers believe the controversy could further strain relations between Baghdad and Washington at a time when regional dynamics remain fragile.
As protests continued, demonstrators reiterated a unified message: Iraq’s future leadership and political direction must be decided by Iraqis alone, free from foreign pressure or political ultimatums.
