Three years on Iraqis speak about their disappointments and fears

-20/03/06

by Beth Pyl


Three years on Iraqis speak about their disappointments and fears

-20/03/06

by Beth Pyles

To mark the third anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) in Baghdad asked some friends and acquaintances to reflect on the war and life in Iraq since.

Simah, an Iraqi Christian woman, said, “I was happy when they came. I thought they would come to get rid of Saddam and then go, but they did not–What little we had, [the Americans] have taken. Before, we had electricity, water, security and love among people. Now there are none of these things. We have lost everything. I wish they had never come.”

Hanna, a Palestinian woman, quoted an Arabic proverb, “A fever is better than death.” She said, “Life was bad under Saddam Hussein but at least we had security. During the invasion we were able to avoid the bombs because they were directed at military targets. Now there are about ten brigades embedded in the army and police forces that are arresting, detaining and killing our people. It is not safe for our children to go to school. They are accused of being terrorists. There is no hope for the Palestinians in Iraq now.”

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Aiya, a young Shi’a business woman living and working in Baghdad, says of the occupying American forces, “They want terrorists to be in Iraq.” Regarding rebuilding, Aiya said, “People said wait five years. They entered in five days. Did they make a change in one year or two or three? Instead we are going backwards. I see only ruins.” Regarding the conflicts between Sunni and Shi’a, Aiya blames the Coalition for the divisiveness. “The Coalition succeeded in making religious distinctions. We are Shi’a but my brother-in-law is Sunni. We are all related. There is no distinction between us.”

The voices of all those interviewed ring a knell of despair when considering the present, and perhaps no one more eloquently than Mahmoud, the engineer who has lived in the United States and loved the time he spent there.

“There is no safety. No change, no use. We thought we would be better but now we are worse. I have seen America. You cannot fool us. You can fix the electricity easily. Under Saddam, the power station was repaired in two days. We are waiting to die. We do not deserve this. It’s a big game and we are small people. I want to leave this country. It’s not for us. You [Americans] will take it.”

In the way of Iraqis, even as he despairs about the massive injustice he sees every day, Mahmoud invokes the help of God: “It’s not easy for the U.S., God help them. They cannot control this country. They got rid of Saddam. This is their country now.”

Mahmoud ends his interview by saying, “We are waiting for our turn to die. Well, I’m still alive.”

Article reproduced with kind permission of Christian Peacemaker Teams


Three years on Iraqis speak about their disappointments and fears

-20/03/06

by Beth Pyles

To mark the third anniversary of the invasion of Iraq, Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) in Baghdad asked some friends and acquaintances to reflect on the war and life in Iraq since.

Simah, an Iraqi Christian woman, said, “I was happy when they came. I thought they would come to get rid of Saddam and then go, but they did not–What little we had, [the Americans] have taken. Before, we had electricity, water, security and love among people. Now there are none of these things. We have lost everything. I wish they had never come.”

Hanna, a Palestinian woman, quoted an Arabic proverb, “A fever is better than death.” She said, “Life was bad under Saddam Hussein but at least we had security. During the invasion we were able to avoid the bombs because they were directed at military targets. Now there are about ten brigades embedded in the army and police forces that are arresting, detaining and killing our people. It is not safe for our children to go to school. They are accused of being terrorists. There is no hope for the Palestinians in Iraq now.”

Related Articles

Aiya, a young Shi’a business woman living and working in Baghdad, says of the occupying American forces, “They want terrorists to be in Iraq.” Regarding rebuilding, Aiya said, “People said wait five years. They entered in five days. Did they make a change in one year or two or three? Instead we are going backwards. I see only ruins.” Regarding the conflicts between Sunni and Shi’a, Aiya blames the Coalition for the divisiveness. “The Coalition succeeded in making religious distinctions. We are Shi’a but my brother-in-law is Sunni. We are all related. There is no distinction between us.”

The voices of all those interviewed ring a knell of despair when considering the present, and perhaps no one more eloquently than Mahmoud, the engineer who has lived in the United States and loved the time he spent there.

“There is no safety. No change, no use. We thought we would be better but now we are worse. I have seen America. You cannot fool us. You can fix the electricity easily. Under Saddam, the power station was repaired in two days. We are waiting to die. We do not deserve this. It’s a big game and we are small people. I want to leave this country. It’s not for us. You [Americans] will take it.”

In the way of Iraqis, even as he despairs about the massive injustice he sees every day, Mahmoud invokes the help of God: “It’s not easy for the U.S., God help them. They cannot control this country. They got rid of Saddam. This is their country now.”

Mahmoud ends his interview by saying, “We are waiting for our turn to die. Well, I’m still alive.”

Article reproduced with kind permission of Christian Peacemaker Teams