23 Aug 2006
Baghdad: The increased US military deployment here to implement the Baghdad security plan marked a shift in stand between Shiites and Sunnis.
The Shiites, who allegedly ushered in the occupation at the outset, were angry at the new development, while the Sunnis, who had wanted withdrawal of US forces, welcomed the move.
As per the plan, two US army brigades would be deployed in 'sensitive' areas around Baghdad, and some of these forces will spearhead search and arrest operations, targeting armed elements, along with the Iraqi army.
"The US army is known for its harsh dealing with Iraqis. We fear the deployment because we expect severe conduct from them," Farhoud Hussain, from Alif Dar in Baghdad's Al Jadida district, told Gulf News.
"Earlier, when the US army was deployed in areas like Nuairiya, Alif Dar, Mashtal, Ameen and Mualimin, many civilians died as a result of antagonism from US soldiers, who also used to remove street vegetable stalls, destroy everything and leave the vendors with nothing," he added.
Ali Al Asadi, an Iraqi from Al Mashtal district, felt that the US soldiers' involvement in the rape and murder of an Iraqi minor along with her entire family in Mahmoudia, on the outskirts of Baghdad last March, was nerve racking, and people were afraid the incident might recur anywhere in Iraq.
At the beginning of the occupation, around 14,000 Iraqis had been detained by the American forces.
"The US forces are expected to detain or kill whoever attacks them, as their aim is to control the resistance elements, while Iraqi forces have other motivations, such as revenge and sectarian aims. Maybe they do want to put an end to armed groups, but the difference between the Iraqi and the US attitude is that the Americans investigate and torture to get information, while the Iraqi forces interrogate and then kill the suspects, often throwing their bodies into river Tigris or out in the open," said Raad Al Nuaimi, an Iraqi from Mosul and a Sunni.
"I do confess that I am one of the people who calls for the departure of the US army, but for the time being, I support their stay, because they secure my not being killed and thrown into the river. It is with sadness I say the occupation protects us. This policy might be intentional, for Arab Sunnis to accept the US occupation. However, what is important to me is that I do not find the bodies of any of my relatives in river Tigris," he added.
It is a paradox that Shiite political forces support the transfer of security portfolio to the Iraqi forces, while the same forces had brought the occupation to power in Iraq, many felt. As for the Sunnis, who called for the withdrawal of US forces, now want the US army to stay and deploy in Baghdad.
Ahmad Al Hussaini, a teacher, told Gulf News: "Once the Iraqi forces take over any security portfolio, massacres and killing according to the ID card take place. I am not saying that they conduct these massacres, but they do not have the ability to stand up against the killers, and if it were not for the US forces, we'd be in a worse state."
By Basil Adas
Gulf News 2006. All rights reserved.
