Supporters of Prime Minister Nouri Al-Maliki have descended on Tahrir Square for a rally that appears to be an attempt to overshadow the small group of anti-government protesters who demonstrate weekly in the capital.

The anti-government group criticized Al-Maliki for failing to improve government services after his self-imposed time limit for enacting reforms expired June 7.

The pro-government demonstrators celebrated the death sentences issued Thursday against 15 alleged Al-Qaeda members for their role in an attack on a wedding party in 2006 that killed 70 people.

The incident has become a rallying cry for Al-Maliki supporters who use it to highlight the prime minister’s security credentials.