arch/ive/ief (2000 - 2005)
|
Anti-Americanism Surges In Iraq by (posted by Guido) Sunday April 13, 2003 at 05:53 PM |
Far from the peering camera lens of CNN, FOX, and MSNBC Iraqis are beginning to curse the U.S. presence in Iraq. Arab TV networks, including Al Jazeera, Al Arabiya, LBC, Abu Dhabi TV, and others have conducted interviews with a wide cross-section of Iraqi society over the past two days. The unanimous sentiment expressed by the Iraqis can be summed up in one phrase; "This is not freedom, this is chaos and plunder."
Many Iraqis said they did initially welcome the U.S. Marines believing that freedom would soon come their way. However, the unimaginable turmoil and looting that has gripped Iraq, Baghdad especially, has embittered Iraqis against U.S. forces who they accuse of standing by idly.
"They only protect areas that interest them, like the oil fields," one armed Iraqi told Al Jazeera. "They don't care about anything else -- this is the freedom they have brought us."
"Yes, we hate Saddam," said another interviewed Iraqi. "Yes, we want freedom, but what are the Americans doing -- they won't let us take back the city and bring order and they won't stop the stealing and killing. Is this what they mean by freedom? Well, they can have it back."
U.S. viewers may be surprised by such an outburst of anger, pointing to footage of Iraqis dancing in the streets. However, it is worth mentioning that an overwhelming ratio of these broadcast images were filmed in the Kurdish towns of Arbil, Sulimaniyah, Dhouk, and Kirkuk. The Kurds have long resented Saddam's regime and his oppression of their nationalistic aspirations.
The images from the rest of Iraq are ones of carnage and plunder.
Al Jazeera broadcast images of Iraqis arming themselves to prevent looting from Baghdad's commercial districts.
"We just stopped that truck over there stealing automotive equipment," said a burly Iraqi armed with an AK-47. Al Jazeera filmed the man firing at the truck, forcing it to come to a halt.
"This is the wealth of the people and should not be squandered. If the U.S. won't lift a finger to do anything, then we, the Iraqi people will take matters into our own hands."
On Friday, Sunni and Shiite clerics issued a fatwa, or Islamic decree, declaring that looting, plundering, and stealing were haram or unlawful under Islamic law. They took to the minarets and broadcast throughout the city that looters return the stolen items.
By dusk Baghdad time, several hundred Iraqis returned the booty they had plundered from ministry buildings, hotels, hospitals, banks, and private shops. All returned items are currently being stored in the many mosques that festoon the city.
"When Saddam was here, none of this could have happened," said one Iraqi youth who refused to give his name. The Al Jazeera reporter was taken aback as the young Iraqi explained that Iraqis need a strong leader to bring order to Iraq.
In the northern city of Mosul, tribal leaders have taken matters into their own hands. The looting that was prevalent early Friday had subsided as residents patrolled the streets and forced looters to return their booty. As in Baghdad, mosques spearheaded the call for Mislawis (residents of Mosul) to retain their honor and northern pride and maintain civility and decorum.
Sheikh Hamed Al Garyah, leader of the Shamar tribe, asked Mislawis to show the world their honor to the rest of Iraq. He called on unity with Kurdish tribes. "We don't want to become another Somalia," he said.