Analysis: Baghdad is once again an "arena" for the US-Iran conflict

In Baghdad, the atmosphere is one of fear and dread. There are some who celebrated Qasem Soleimani's death -- but "overall, the feeling here (is that) people are terrified," said CNN correspondent Jomana Karadsheh, who is in the Iraqi capital.

"They are really concerned about where this is all headed, what happens next. They are very concerned about their country's future."

There is also a prevailing anger that Iraq has, once again, been turned into "an arena for international and regional powers to be settling scores," she added.

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The Iraq government is under mounting pressure now to take action, but they are caught between two allies -- Iran and the US.

"So many of the people here, especially when it comes to these powerful Iranian-backed Shia militias, they want to see this government standing up to the United States and also they want them to reassess Iraq's relationship with the US," Karadsheh said.

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PROTESTS ACROSS U.S AS COALITION ORGANISED SAT JAN 4: NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION, U.S. TROOPS OUT OF IRAQ