IRAQ: Five years on, what some Iraqis think

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Abbas Khazraji, 45, a college professor in Baghdad:

“We could have had a democratic Iraq, but so far this hasn’t been the case.... I lost four of my nephews, aged between 16 and 22, to the Americans. They were just walking in the street and got caught in the crossfire. This war does not choose its victims. Everyone is a target if they’re not careful.”

Ali Shareef, 60, a college professor in Kirkuk:

“The U.S. forces got rid of one of the biggest tyrants on Earth for us and gave Iraqis [the chance] to rule themselves by themselves. There is no comparison to before and after 2003. We would like to thank our friends the American people and their army, who sacrificed for the sake of Iraqi stability, and that will be achieved, by God’s will, as soon as possible.”

Samir Sami, 28, an unemployed Baghdad resident:

“It’s true we now enjoy freedom and some of the manifestations of civilization, like mobile phones, satellite channels, the Internet and to some extent the right to express our thoughts without restraint.... However, we are now ruled by foreigners and surrounded by neighbors holding grudges.... We have lost so many relatives and friends.... Maybe it can change after another five years; however, this remains in the realm of mere wishes.’

Falah Muhsin Sadiq, 47, an Iraqi recently returned to Najaf from the United States:

“We used to live under the shadow of a regime that we never dreamed we’d see the end of, and under it we tasted all kinds of agony and suffering. Now, five years after the removal of that regime, I returned to my mother country hoping to settle down, especially after hearing about the improved security. But what I found intensely shocked me. The faces have changed, but the regime has not. The laws are still Saddam’s laws. Patronage is still the first and last thing to rule, and corruption has infested every article of life.... I’ll carry my suitcases and return to my country, America, which embraced me when Iraq did not.’

Adil Hassan Hammadi, 48, an iron and steel worker in Basra:

‘I think what is coming will be worse, especially in Basra. It’s a delicious bait for those in power. The ongoing struggle between the parties is scary and suspicious, and we have an ambiguous future. Where are the British forces and American forces? They got rid of Saddam only and left the people to be victims of a struggle of political aspirations. These are five dry years really.... I can’t say more [without] fearing for my life.”

— Times correspondents around Iraq