Devildogg4ever
07-24-03, 03:39 AM
By Ayad Rahim
Wall Street Journal | July 24, 2003
For years the very mention of the names Uday and Qusay sent fear into the hearts of the Iraqi people. Now, thanks to the coalition forces, Iraqis are free of their terror. But others continue to wreak havoc in my native country. As pro-Saddam elements attack coalition troops almost daily, we mustn't forget how American, British and Australian soldiers have conducted themselves with exemplary humanity and heroism since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
To begin with, the bombing campaign was nearly flawless, targeting, first and foremost, the bases of Saddam's rule. That supplied a crucial message to Iraqis -- that Saddam, and his rule, were the sole targets of this military action, and not his victims, the Iraqi people. On top of that, Iraqis were giddy with delight at the sight of Saddam's palaces going up in flames, and they finally got to see something they hadn't dared to dream of -- the destruction of secret police, security and party centers across the country, places they had feared setting eyes on.
During ground fighting, coalition troops exhibited far more concern for Iraqis than did Saddam's forces, who consistently used civilians, street clothes and residential areas to lay traps for coalition forces. In some cities, one member of each family was held hostage, to force the others to fight. Saddam placed tanks and military equipment in residential districts, next to mosques and on top of hospitals. Of 24 schools inspected in the city of Najaf, all were found to have been converted into armories. Coalition soldiers cared for, fed and treated wounded Iraqis -- soldiers and civilians. Surrendering Iraqi soldiers begged coalition forces for food and water. Photographers caught one soldier running with a wounded boy in his arms to get him treatment, and another, cradling an orphaned baby. One American soldier threw himself on a grenade, because a girl was nearby; the soldier lost his leg.
All along, there have been large efforts -- to provide food, water and electricity to the population, collect garbage, administer vaccinations and do police work -- and small acts of kindness, particularly with children. Coalition troops lavished children with candy and attention, taught them to rap and shared pictures of their own families. Soldiers have also been teaching Iraqis how to recognize unexploded ordinance, and what to do when they come across it. Such encounters were unimaginable for Iraqis, for whom the sight of men in military uniform meant only fear and the potential for arbitrary harassment, detention, torture and death.
Since April 9, the day Saddam's evil regime was finally toppled, soldiers have protected schools, hospitals, power stations and banks across the country. Iraqis have assisted soldiers' policing work, pointing out bandits, and cheered the capture of bank robbers. Nearly half the captures of the "most wanted" resulted from leads or intercessions by Iraqis. Soon, a new Iraqi militia will be fighting alongside the coalition forces, fighting proudly to make Iraq a safe, prosperous and democratic country.
During the war, Iraqis pointed out Saddam's fedayeen death squads, who wore civilian clothes and held citizens hostage. And when the Marines entered Baghdad through the eastern slum-suburb of Saddam City, jubilant Iraqis welcomed them with U.S. flags, flowers, sweets, kisses, hugs, boisterous cheers and dancing in the streets. Since liberation, soldiers on foot patrol have been greeted warmly by the overwhelming majority of Iraqis. A recent poll of Iraqis shows 85.1% "support the presence of coalition forces."
With Uday and Qusay now gone, it is only a matter of time before Saddam himself -- a man who has brought more terror and bloodshed to Iraq than any other man in the entire history of this region, and we go back a long way -- is either captured or killed in the attempt. For this and for their freedom the Iraqi people are eternally grateful.
http://frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=9069
Wall Street Journal | July 24, 2003
For years the very mention of the names Uday and Qusay sent fear into the hearts of the Iraqi people. Now, thanks to the coalition forces, Iraqis are free of their terror. But others continue to wreak havoc in my native country. As pro-Saddam elements attack coalition troops almost daily, we mustn't forget how American, British and Australian soldiers have conducted themselves with exemplary humanity and heroism since the beginning of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
To begin with, the bombing campaign was nearly flawless, targeting, first and foremost, the bases of Saddam's rule. That supplied a crucial message to Iraqis -- that Saddam, and his rule, were the sole targets of this military action, and not his victims, the Iraqi people. On top of that, Iraqis were giddy with delight at the sight of Saddam's palaces going up in flames, and they finally got to see something they hadn't dared to dream of -- the destruction of secret police, security and party centers across the country, places they had feared setting eyes on.
During ground fighting, coalition troops exhibited far more concern for Iraqis than did Saddam's forces, who consistently used civilians, street clothes and residential areas to lay traps for coalition forces. In some cities, one member of each family was held hostage, to force the others to fight. Saddam placed tanks and military equipment in residential districts, next to mosques and on top of hospitals. Of 24 schools inspected in the city of Najaf, all were found to have been converted into armories. Coalition soldiers cared for, fed and treated wounded Iraqis -- soldiers and civilians. Surrendering Iraqi soldiers begged coalition forces for food and water. Photographers caught one soldier running with a wounded boy in his arms to get him treatment, and another, cradling an orphaned baby. One American soldier threw himself on a grenade, because a girl was nearby; the soldier lost his leg.
All along, there have been large efforts -- to provide food, water and electricity to the population, collect garbage, administer vaccinations and do police work -- and small acts of kindness, particularly with children. Coalition troops lavished children with candy and attention, taught them to rap and shared pictures of their own families. Soldiers have also been teaching Iraqis how to recognize unexploded ordinance, and what to do when they come across it. Such encounters were unimaginable for Iraqis, for whom the sight of men in military uniform meant only fear and the potential for arbitrary harassment, detention, torture and death.
Since April 9, the day Saddam's evil regime was finally toppled, soldiers have protected schools, hospitals, power stations and banks across the country. Iraqis have assisted soldiers' policing work, pointing out bandits, and cheered the capture of bank robbers. Nearly half the captures of the "most wanted" resulted from leads or intercessions by Iraqis. Soon, a new Iraqi militia will be fighting alongside the coalition forces, fighting proudly to make Iraq a safe, prosperous and democratic country.
During the war, Iraqis pointed out Saddam's fedayeen death squads, who wore civilian clothes and held citizens hostage. And when the Marines entered Baghdad through the eastern slum-suburb of Saddam City, jubilant Iraqis welcomed them with U.S. flags, flowers, sweets, kisses, hugs, boisterous cheers and dancing in the streets. Since liberation, soldiers on foot patrol have been greeted warmly by the overwhelming majority of Iraqis. A recent poll of Iraqis shows 85.1% "support the presence of coalition forces."
With Uday and Qusay now gone, it is only a matter of time before Saddam himself -- a man who has brought more terror and bloodshed to Iraq than any other man in the entire history of this region, and we go back a long way -- is either captured or killed in the attempt. For this and for their freedom the Iraqi people are eternally grateful.
http://frontpagemag.com/Articles/ReadArticle.asp?ID=9069