Fears & tears remain

Baghdad: Iraqis' positions seem unified after five years of American war to topple Saddam Hussain's regime. But fears, tears and sad memories are still carved in the collective Iraqi mind.

Abdul Wahed Al Assadi, an Iraqi Shiite, told Gulf News about his experience of the war. "I have memories of painful moments of this unjust war.

"On March 21, 2003, my family and I left our house in Al Baladiat district towards Diyala and we stayed there until the war ended. We suffered too much: we used to sleep on the ground or inside the car. Our children got sick. I remember women's hands were lifted to heaven, asking God for revenge on Americans."

City of ghosts

On the first day of war, Baghdad became a city of ghosts, besieged by black clouds. The former president, Saddam Hussain, had given orders to burn cars tyres in a desperate attempt to mislead American warplanes from finding their targets.

Asma'a Omar Al Zubai, an employee in a communications centre in Baghdad's Al Sinak district, told Gulf News: "On the first day of war, we were listening to radio news. We knew that American B-52 aircraft were moving from bases in Britain towards Baghdad and few hours later bombing started.

"My entire family members gathered in one room, and my 70-year-old mother held the Quran, invoking God against Americans who had brought fear and unrest into the hearts of children and women. We couldn't bear the aircraft's roar or its bombs which weigh tons. Honestly, I curse the American invaders."

Hamdi Butan is an Iraqi Kurd. "Two of my family members died during the violent American air strikes in the Zayona neighbourhood of Baghdad. We have experienced war and grief. Seven of my civilian neighbours were also killed because of a bombing that targeted a military base close to our district. Memories are painful and mixed with feelings of anger and hatred against the American army."

United front

On that first day of war, Baghdad's districts were filled with trenches dug by the fighters of the Baath Party. Maybe they were getting ready to repel any landing operations by American army. Many families had chosen to stay in Baghdad and took food to the Iraqi fighters - Shiites, Sunnis, Kurds and Christians gathered around one table.

Naji Murad is an Iraqi Christian. "On the eve of war, many Christian families gathered in Al Gadeer district to pray to save Iraq and to [destroy] American aircraft that came to kill Iraqis. That night the military aircraft noise and the bombings were devastating and caused terror. I went with my friend to bring medicine and saw American air strikes close to Al Rashid Camp. The scene was terrifying to any man."