IRAQ: Will the wolves survive?

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The bloodthirsty enemy had gathered on the perimeter of the southern Iraqi city of Samawah, but this time the locals were ready.

They had formed armed committees similar to the Sons of Iraq forces fighting off Al Qaeda militants in western Iraq. They were gearing up for a fight. Their foes had been attacking them with increasing abandon on the outskirts of this river city 145 miles southeast of Baghdad. They struck along the harsh desert plain leading to Saudi Arabia. They came day or night.

Among children, supernatural powers were attributed to these adversaries. They could withstand intense cold, according to legend, and their eyes changed from yellow to orange to green. There would be no mercy for this enemy. And no negotiations.

The enemy, after all, were packs of hungry gray wolves who had overcome their fear of humans and had begun feasting on livestock, right in front of farmers.

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-- Hassan Halawa in Samawah and Borzou Daragahi in Baghdad

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