Today is the fifth anniversary of the fall of Baghdad to U.S. forces, and the Iraqi officials have demanded a complete one-day curfew on the capital.

According to Reuters an official in the Baghdad operations command for Iraqi security forces said that  all cars and motorcycles are banned from the streets until midnight (0200-2100 GMT).

The plan involves a better observation of all movement and a quicker access to all areas needed and also the much needed space for potential marches.

The followers of Shi'ite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr initially announced for today large anti-American rallies and protests but were calmed down yesterday by Sadr who was concerned about security issues and did not want his supporters confront the Iraqi government and American forces.

According to the Associated Press, Brig. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi, spokesman for the Iraqi military said that 82 militants, 36 civilians and 37 soldiers had been killed since March 16 during fighting in Baghdad, mostly in Sadr City. The violent encounters have been intertwined by numerous attempts to solve the situation without bloodshed.

Unfortunately, it seems that this may not be a priority for all parts involved and the outcome is still very uncertain. 

The celebration coincides with the second day of testimonies to Congress by Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker and General David H. Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, regarding the future U.S. involvement in the war area.