Following the US - led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 , these protesters formed the backbone of Egypt 's highly vocal anti-war movement .
Protesters ' protests in turn developed into the first public demonstrations against President Mubarak since he had taken office .
Following the US - led invasion of Iraq in March 2003 , these protesters formed the backbone of Egypt 's highly vocal anti-war movement , and their protests in turn developed into the first public demonstrations against President Mubarak since he had taken office .