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Baghdad: Many Iraqis do not seem keen on marking the fourth anniversary of the US-led invasion to topple Saddam Hussain's regime - even those who cheered the end of Saddam's era.
The event has proved to be a springboard for more misery and instability which Iraq has suffered since the early 1980s. Opposition to the US occupation has never been greater.
"The American occupation cannot prove to be good for Iraqis, and that is an unchangeable rule," said Saif Mohammad, a postgraduate student.
Speaking to Gulf News, he added: "We have to be aware that Americans are only interested in their political and economical advantages, and that is why Iraqis expect this ongoing bloody security scene in the country. Occupation is an evil thing."
Bloodshed
In light of the continuous wave of bombings, bloodshed and sectarian violence, the only comment that can be heard from many Iraqis is that "Saddam Hussain's days were better," he said.
Bassim Hassan, an employee in the Iraqi Ministry of Industry, told Gulf News: "We hoped good things to happen in Iraq especially after the fall of Saddam's regime which brought tribulation and misery.
"We expected the establishment of a new regime that respects its people, believes in peace with its neighbours and is interested in economic promotion instead of wars and troubles, this hasn't happened after four years of the American invasion, therefore I think the only way to solve this trouble is by the complete withdrawal of all US forces, as well as Iraqi unification on serious matters such as writing the constitution and establishing a democratic constitutional government."
It seems Baghdad is divided into two, a Sunni portion in Al Karkh and a Shiite portion in Al Rusafa. This division is blamed on the Americans, and constitutes a source of concern for Iraqis.
"Iraqi division is caused by the US occupation," Hiba Essam, a student at Baghdad University, told Gulf News.
"Iraq did not know these denominations, Shiites lived with Sunnis for a long time and we never thought things would reach such a dangerous situation. Now Sunnis feel they were mistaken to live in Al Rusafa and the same goes for Shiites who think it is a bad idea to live in Al Karkh. "These are the results of the occupation since the Governing Council was founded on a sectarian and ethnic basis."
Other Iraqis are saying US troops will leave Iraq soon after "realising it is a quagmire for them."
Asaad Ghalib, a researcher in the Iraqi Ministry of Housing told Gulf News: "The biggest disaster is that the American occupation, which caused all these evil conditions in Iraqi society, is thinking of running away from Iraq ....It is an invitation to all Iraqis to prove the departure of American-led occupation forces will come with good to all."
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