"We reject occupation... occupiers out," the faithful chanted, fists raised, in Sadr City, an impoverished district of northeast Baghdad, as a US flag was set ablaze.

Sheikh Haidar al-Jaberi, a member of Sadr's politburo, called for a major demonstration on April 9, anniversary of the fall of Saddam's Sunni regime.

"March 20 should be a festival, but after what the Americans have done, it's a sad day," Jaberi said, referring to the start of spring.

"They never kept their promises," added Qassem Zamel, who came to pray.

"The Americans came to liberate us from a dictator but they have destroyed the country," said Zamel, who is in his 60s.

He said his three sons were arrested in March 2003 and were still in jail, although he did not know why.

Meanwhile in Tokyo, about 500 Japanese demonstrated to call for an early withdrawal of US troops from Iraq, as well as from Afghanistan.

They carried banners that read: "Weapons can't solve the Iraqi and Afghan wars."

"If we remain silent, I don't think the troops will withdraw" from Iraq and Afghanistan, said organiser Ken Takada.

A report released on the eve of the sixth anniversary of the invasion underscored the plight of Iraqis.

"Millions of civilians are still facing hardship every day," said International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Jakob Kellenberger.

"Indiscriminate attacks continue to leave dozens of people killed or injured on a daily basis despite improvements in the security situation in many parts of Iraq."

"The humanitarian situation in many areas of the country remains serious despite the Iraqi authorities' considerable efforts to provide basic services such as water and health care," Kellenberger said.

Two major bomb blasts this month killed more than 60 people and maimed scores more, serving as grim reminders of the risks.

Despite such precariousness, US and Iraqi officials offer repeated assurances of a smooth transition as American troops pull out and fledgling Iraqi forces take control.

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