Shiite militias protest in Baghdad for Turkish troop withdrawal, chanting against 'occupation'

Shiite militia members and supporters participate in a demonstration demanding the withdrawal of Turkish troops from northern Iraq, in Tahrir Square, Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015. Crowds of young men in military fatigues chanted against Turkish “occupation,” vowing they would fight the Turkish troops themselves if they do not withdraw. Turkey has had troops near Mosul since last year but the arrival of additional troops last week sparked an uproar in Baghdad. Ankara subsequently halted new deployments. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim) (The Associated Press)

Shiite militia members and supporters carry a banner representing the Iraqi flag during a demonstration demanding the withdrawal of Turkish troops from northern Iraq, in Tahrir Square, Baghdad, Iraq, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015. Crowds of young men in military fatigues chanted against Turkish “occupation,” vowing they would fight the Turkish troops themselves if they do not withdraw. Turkey has had troops near Mosul since last year but the arrival of additional troops last week sparked an uproar in Baghdad. (AP Photo/Karim Kadim) (The Associated Press)

Protesters shout slogans and brandish weapons during a demonstration calling again for the immediate withdrawal of Turkish troops from northern Iraq, in Basra, southern Iraq, Saturday, Dec. 12, 2015. An outpouring of public anger over the Turkish troops crisis that erupted earlier this month was on display at Saturday’s protests in Basra and the capital, Baghdad. Turkey has had troops near Mosul since last year but the arrival of additional troops last week sparked an uproar. (AP Photo/Nabil al-Jurani) (The Associated Press)

Shiite militia members gathering in Baghdad's Tahrir Square are demanding the withdrawal of Turkish troops from northern Iraq.

Crowds of young men in military fatigues chanted against Turkish "occupation," vowing they would fight the Turkish troops themselves if they do not withdraw.

The demonstration Saturday, called for by the umbrella group of Shiite militias in Iraq whose power rivals that of the Iraqi army, was attended by militia leaders and some Shiite politicians.

Turkey has had troops near Mosul since last year but the arrival of additional troops last week sparked an uproar in Baghdad. Ankara subsequently halted new deployments.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan repeated Friday that Turkey would not pull out troops already stationed in Iraq and that the training process "in agreement" with Iraq would continue.