Oerdin's Iraq thread.

[Dinner]

Well, I guess I should be happy because other then the odd IED the Insurgents seem to have stopped targeting Coalition Military Forces at least for now. The down side is they are now concentrating on softer targets like Iraqi Civilians who work with the Coalition. Yesterday morning a bus full of civilians who work at the Iraqi Media Network radio station in Bahquba (the same place my friend's Humvee got IEDed) got ambushed and of the 14 people on the bus four were killed and eight wounded. A SUV with two men in it stopped in front of the bus at a choke point along the road and then fired a RPG followed by small arms fire from an AK-47 and an SSK machinegun.

I've met everyone who works at the radio station on the three times I've been there and one of out detachments (12 people) are based out of the radio compound. Naturally, everyone is taking the death of their co-workers hard and most of the civilians are refusing to go back to work until so sort of escorts can be arranged. I don't know how they can be guarded 24/7. The attack happened 3 km away from the station and from what I understand it was a grizzly scene with blood every where and the wild dogs trying to drink the pooled blood off of the ground.

Tomorrow I'm going on a convoy to Baghdad and then on to the radio station in Bahquba so we can drop of supplies and see if we can help in any way. I'm not sure if there is anything we can really do but we will see.

Another disturbing thing is that with in five minutes of the attack camera men from Al Jazeera TV where one the scene. They got there before the Iraqi police even knew what had happened and there is zero chance the Arab news network could have been listening in on encryted US military radio traffic. Since Bahquba is so far off of the beaten track it makes me wonder if Al Jazeera reporters knew in advance the attack on civilians was going to take place. I've also seen past reports of Al Jazeera posting news about terror attack in Iraq BEFORE the attacks even happen. Donald Rumsfield has repeatedly accused Al Jazeera of knowing about terror attacks in advance but failing to inform police in order to protect civilians.

It's one thing to go after armed military men but it is inexcusable to know about plans to murder civilians yet to do nothing about it.

[Barinthus]

Oerdin, many thanks for your assessment. I've always wondered about regulars vs reserves.

That's a very interesting observation re: Al Jazeera. Very serious too.

That's good to know about reduced attacks upon the military part of CPA but in the end those attacks on soft targets probably will only make CPA's job more difficult in terms of getting the locals to be a part of rebuilding.

Recently www.washingtonpost.com had this terrific series on Iraqi's view upon the whole thing. One article talked about this Iraqi who came across an American tank with the follow slogan written on the barrel(cannon?) "We are rebuilding and you are destroying." The Iraqi admitted it was true, that his own people are contribuating to the crisis in a negative way more than positive.

That'd be a great retort, Cruddy . I remember while I was living in a ghetto in DC, my house was right across from a church. I always see people in there praying and such yet surrounding them is poverty, drugs, crime, and so on. There were funerals on nearly weekly basis at that church. I told someone only if they would use all of those time they dedicate toward praying toward being involved with their communities, I'd not be surprised if things would improve. God helps those who help themselves...

[Dinner]

I'd like to do a brief run down of my own assessment of the media available here in Iraq. I'm hoping this will help the rest of you get a better feeling for what the average Arab/Iraqi sees on TV or reads about in the paper.

Newspapers
Azzaman Daily- Arabic language news paper which is printed in the UK. The paper was founded by a former Ba'athist Iraqi Information Minister though the reporting seems to stick mainly to the facts.

Asharq Al Awsat- Printed in London but owned by a member of the Saudi royal family. This is a very concervative and pro-Islamist newspaper which tends to take a harsh line towards the west and especially the US.

Al Sabah- Owned and operated by the Iraqi Media network. Takes an anti-ba'athist and pro IGC line on most issues.

Addustour Daily- This seems like a very high quality paper with excellent editorials which often have opposing view points represented. The staff have been repeatedly threatened by Ba'athist and Islamist insurgents.

Baghdad Daily- A left leaning Iraqi newspaper that tend to take a communist approach to government and economics.

Al Ittihad Daily- The official newspaper of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. It takes an anti-Arab, anti-ba'athist, and pro-kurdish independence stance.

Al Mutamar Daily- The official newspaper of the Iraqi National Congress (an Iraqi excile group). Pro-Coalition and anti-ba'athist.

Al Ahed Al Jadied Daily- The name means "The New Era" and I don't know much about it other then it tends to take a republican stance on how the future government should be organized.

Radio

Voice of the Islamic Republic (Tehran)- Arabic language broadcaste originating from Iran. Extremely Anti-US/UK/Israel and they often frame news articles so they will cast the west as evil and out to get muslims.

Voice of Iraq (Prague)- Programing is in Arabic and is broadcasted from the Czech Republic. High quality news from the central European view point.

Radio Sawa- Pro-Coalition and owned by IMN.

Radio Monte Carlo- I don't know much about this station but I suspect it is like VoI.

TV

CNN & BBC- You guys know these two.

Al Alam TV- Focuses on news which make the US, EU, and Israel look bad. They frequently fail to report the human carnage caused by terror attacks and tend to glorify terror attacks.

Al Manar- Station is owned by Hizballah and has a view point one would expect from a terror organization which has murdered tens of thousands.

ANN- Broadcastes from London but is owned by the Asad family (the dictator of Syria). Anti-US but tends to be factual most of the time.

Al Jaazira- Anti-western and especially anti US/UK. Frequently makes factual errors which it doesn't correct and has reported terror attacks BEFORE the actual attacks have taken place. They have been accused by several governments of working with Arab terrorist networks.

Al Arabia- Owned by the Syrian government and frequently tells blatant lies. It refers to the US, UK, and Israel as "the enemy" during broadcasts and acts as the mouth piece of the Syrian government.

There are several web sites I've seen which are pro-ba'athist and/or pro Al Qaeda but I'm not going to go into them here nor will I post their URLs. I hope this helps people understand what sort of news is available here in the mideast and maybe it will help, even in some small way, illuminate what is going on here.

[Dinner]

Re: Re: Inshallah

Originally posted by Cruddy
I use this word to describe situations over which I have absolutely no control or input. Things like getting run over on a pedestrian crossing, the mail being late, etc.

I guess for some Muslim's it's an excuse, but for many the real issue is perception; if you've been living under a complete dictatorship all your life, and your parents before you, then it's very hard to change this sort of mind set.

Yes, Inshallah does have a place. I'm not against it entirely but it does seem to be misused as an excuse not to do something. Arab Monarchies and dictatorships (which are often one in the same) seem to be eager to pump up the Inshallah mind set. I suppose they find it useful for their populace to feel they can't change anything and that it's better to simply go with the flow. If the people felt they could change their lives for the better, why, then they might start thinking about toppling the military dictator who's in charge and the government wouldn't want that.

There maybe ways to use Inshallah to our advantage but for now at least it seems to be something which is slowing us down instead of helping us.

[debeest]

I wouldn't write Inshallah off as just a Muslim thing. As noted above, it sounds a lot like "manana." And having spent a little time in Greece, Italy, and Yugoslavia, I think "Inshallah" sounds a lot like their mantra "no problem" -- that is, "don't pitch a fuss, because I'm not going to do anything about your problem." They even sold t-shirts with "No Problem" on them.

[Auntie H]

I saw this same "I can't change this" mindset in every newly post communist country. I think it is not so much a religious thing but a sense of resignation in the population of oppressor governed countries. Saw it throughout E.Europe in the early 1990's, in places like Franco's Spain, in Vietnam, places where people suffer under totalitarianism.

[Bereta_Eder]

Originally posted by debeest
I wouldn't write Inshallah off as just a Muslim thing. As noted above, it sounds a lot like "manana." And having spent a little time in Greece, Italy, and Yugoslavia, I think "Inshallah" sounds a lot like their mantra "no problem" -- that is, "don't pitch a fuss, because I'm not going to do anything about your problem." They even sold t-shirts with "No Problem" on them.

I haven't read the thread so I don't know what Insalah means but the t-shirts with "no problem" at least in Greece, they're supposed to mean " I don't give a **** about my problem, I don't care what you think I don't have a problem because I chose to feel like that and enjoy life and not let anything put me down".

It has nothing to do with "your problem" but "my problem" or what you think is my problem. Such as no money or no steady job or staying up too late at night or drinking or smoking for example.

It is a testament of a larger than life feeling and a passionate je m'en fout-ism that a human being should have!. (ok I'm getting a bit carried away here)

I thought those t-shirts were sold everywhere BTW.

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Auntie H
I saw this same "I can't change this" mindset in every newly post communist country. I think it is not so much a religious thing but a sense of resignation in the population of oppressor governed countries. Saw it throughout E.Europe in the early 1990's, in places like Franco's Spain, in Vietnam, places where people suffer under totalitarianism.

[Bereta_Eder]

BTW if I remember right from another thread Insalah means something like "god willing". This is not necessairily an affirmation of self powerlessness as you may think but a declaration of humility (versus almighty god ) and a knowledge of your inferior position versus him. (as religions go)

it can also be seen in a bit superstituos persons who want to "appease" the god(s) so to speak, so they declare their powerlessness in the face of him so that they flatter him and they'd get him on their side!


It exists in Greece as well "Theou Thelontos" (As long as God wants it) or "Prota O Theos" (First God - and then my wants, plans etc) God fearing people say it or those who just repeat unconsciously and without meaning it it because it is part of the culture. It is an integral part of christianity at least orthodoxy - humility that is. And from what I see of islam too.

But I doubt it necessairily has to do with feeling your life is in the hands of fate - simply that you are humility person (dont know the english word) in the face of god as christianity demands and dont commit the sin of arrogance.


for example you can say " I'll buy that 2 million villa, Prota O theos" So you're ok.

and it has nothing to do with the no problem t-shirts, those are something entirely different

[Kuciwalker]

(dont know the english word)

humble - i.e. a humble person

[Bereta_Eder]

ah yes thanks. I knew it but I had forgotten it

[Imran Siddiqui]

BTW if I remember right from another thread Insalah means something like "god willing".

Yes, corrent. Insh'allah means "God willing". It's like saying I hope I'll get a good score on my test, and your friend will say the phrase, meaning I hope so too. So it isn't really an excuse, but more of a, "I hope so".

[Cruddy]

Originally posted by debeest
I wouldn't write Inshallah off as just a Muslim thing. As noted above, it sounds a lot like "manana.

Do bear in mind the meaning of Islam - "Surrender", as in "Surrender to God".

No, the concept isn't just in Muslims, but maybe it is more apparent than in non-Muslims.

Here's a (bad) idea for incorporating Inshallah into your ops; "We won. Inshallah. Deal with it."

It's going to take a better linguist than me to sort the conumdrum - but I can't help feeling the concept can be a help as well as a hindrance. Most Iraqis want stability and prosperity. They must be very unsure of what their next steps are to acheive that.

Maybe encouraging political parties, trade unions (trade guilds?) to meet and discuss might be a road to take.

[Dinner]

Oerdin goes to Baghdad and other happenings.

Well, for the last two days I've been to Baqubah, the Green Zone in Baghdad, and Camp Victory located at Baghdad International Airport (BIAP). We went to Baghdad so our CO could attend a Psyop planning meeting with the USCAPOC (that's basically the Psyop & Civil Affairs Command) Commanding General and to pick up a few visitors who will be staying with us for a week or so. The Green Zone is Saddam's old palace area in downtown Baghdad plus there are various government Ministries located there. Saddam had the whole area walled in so he could secure the area against any potential uprising so it was natural for the Coalition to turn it into a military base during the war.

Over all Baghdad reminds me of a bigger version of Pristina (the capital of Kosovo) or perhaphs some of the older and more run down parts of Tiajuna, Mexico. Much of the construction is shoddy and in poor repair, like the rest of the country, but unlike the rest of the country there are actually side walks and street lights instead of just dirt and trash. The trash is still ever present but at least it's pilling up on concrete instead of open sewers.

While in Baghdad I had a chance to look at Ambassador Bremer's house (Saddam's old personal palace) which was very nice and I saw the Iraqi parliment which was a giant drab concrete building. They had a nice Bazaar in the Green Zone where Iraqis attempted to sell just about everything to various foreigners so perhaphs the Inshallah mindset has seeped into every part of Iraqi society.

The biggest difference being in Baghdad compared to other parts of the country is the presence of large numbers of non-American soldiers. It almost felt like Kosovo because so many nationalities were present abiet in fewer numbers. I ate lunch in a nice little cafe where I spoke with a Spanish Captain about the recent terrorist attack in Midrid and the pending withdrawl of Spanish forces by the new government. The Captain seemed to feel that the Spanish were doing a valuable job here and that it would be a shame to pull out leaving it only half down. He did take great pains to say the military works for the civilian government and they would do what ever the President ordered.

The meeting didn't end until it was to late to drive back to Tikrit so we ended up staying at Camp Victory located at BIAP. Saddam had yet more palaces built for himself there and the Psyopers have taken over a rather nice palace located on an island in the middle of an artificial lake. Psyop island seemed like a very nice post. Your in the middle of a city of 8 million people but you have the privicy of being on your own little island.

The next morning we continued on to Baqubah to drop off product and check up on our team mates after the recent attack. Naturally, everyone was angry at the murders who had killed their co-workers and it seemed a few of them were even in shock. I saw what was left of the bus which got ambushed (I took pictures which I will try to post later) and it was a grizzly scene. Even though they had washed out the floor of the bus there was still blood stains on all of the sets and brain matter was splattered on the cieling.

Only a handful of the workers have been showing up for work. Most of them are just to scared.

Upon returning to Tikrit I found out that I would be moving up to the Kurdish city of Kirkuk. I am to replace one of the soldiers who had to go home due to family problems, his mother is dying of cancer and his wife has been cheating on him, and I can empathize with him as my own mother was diagnosed with terminal cancer one year ago. In any event I'll be moving out of the Product Development Detachment (PDD) and back on to a Tactical Psyop Team (TPT) which is where I always wanted to be any way. I was originally the head of a TPT but during the run up to deployment the CO pulled 25% of the teams back into the HQ so he would have a pool of soldiers to replace anyone we lost or who went on leave. I'm lucky enough to be the first person he choise to fill a vacancy. I'll write more later; right now I need to pack my bags and get ready to move.

[Dinner]

My first fire fight.

As you all know I've moved to Kirkuk so I could fill in on one of the teams who are short on man power. In any event last night at about mid-night I was getting ready for bed when I heard a loud explosion inside the compound. As I was putting on my body armor & helmet I heard two more explosions followed by a long stream of out going machine gun fire. My co-workers and I grabbed our rifles and ran up to the roof were we took up firing positions. We arrived to see a white four door Opel speeding away, on the other side of the field next to our compound, which one of our Sufi guards was firing upon. We also began firing at the Opel though it quickly made a right turn behind a building which hide it from view. I noticed that another guard tower was still firing at a large pile of rocks and bricks which someone had dumped at the edge of the field (everyone in Iraq dumps garbage & construction debre every where). At first I thought the guard was just trigger happy but then I saw a man fire an AK-47 towards us from behind the debre pile. He was trying to duck down and was firing long unaimed bursts in the compound's general direction. Both I and the other GIs immediately began returning fire from our elevated positions on the roof top and this continued for about 20 seconds though it seemed much longer. I was half way through my second magazine (3 round burst chews through ammo pretty fast) when the guy throw his AK-47 away from himself and began shouting in arabic. The LT order us to hold our fire and after about 10 seconds of no one shooting at him the gunman slowly put his hands up in the air while keeping his body behind the rock pile. Our translator told him to slowly walk towards us with his hands in the air, which he did, then we had him lay face down on the ground with his hands behind his head. I'm not sure how we would have handcuffed him since we where on the third story of a building with a 15 foot wall between him and ourselves but luckily the Iraqi police showed up right then and arrested the fellow.

Later on we went and looked at the building next to ours where we found three large black blast marks. It appears three men arrived in the Opel, fired off three RPGs, and then tried to run back to their car. While they were running the Sufi guard began to fire at them and one of the gunmen had tried to hide behind the rock pile instead of continuing to run to the car. his two comrades were in the process of leaving him behind when we ran out on to the roof. About 0400 this morning a patrol from A company, 1-21, of the 25th ID found the abandoned Opel in an ally way. The Opel had been hit numerous times and blood stains where in the passanger front seat. It seems that two of the bastards did get away but we at least wounded one of them.

I was on such an adrinaline rush I hardly slept at all for the rest of the night. I'm glad we arrested one and wounded another but I hope we can get the other two before they can launch any more attacks. The 25th ID searched the hospitals for anyone with gun shot wounds but they found no one. The insurgents have rogue doctors who treat their men so they can avoid the hospitals and other offical places.