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FinalCall.com News
World News
Iraq reconstruction failures stoke anti-U.S. sentiment
By Ahmed Ali
and Dahr Jamail
Updated Feb 15, 2008 - 12:28:00 PM
BAQUBA, Iraq (IPS/GIN) - Broken promises have triggered a dramatic increase in anti-U.S. sentiment within the capital city of Iraq’s Diyala province.
Many people in Baquba, the capital of Diyala, had supported U.S. forces when they ousted former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. But failed reconstruction projects and muddled policies mean the U.S. has lost that support.
“The Americans based their strategy in Iraq on certain Shias here who have direct enmity with Sunnis and allegiance to Iran,” resident Ayub Ibrahim said. “This was the source of the gap between certain Shias whom the U.S. backs, and certain Sunnis they back.” Shias and Sunnis belong to different sects within Islam.
The U.S. has also alienated people through its policy of extensive detentions. Many believe that raids that lead to arrests are based on motivated information given to the U.S. military by Shia militiamen who have infiltrated the Iraqi army and police.
“We never witnessed an attempt to arrest Shia people, either by the U.S. army or the Iraqi police and army,” resident Abdul Sattar al-Badri said. Most people see no reasonable basis for many of the arrests.
In November the International Committee of the Red Cross said around 60,000 people are currently detained in Iraq.
“The Americans occupied our country and put our men in prisons,” said Dhafir al-Rubaiee, an officer from Iraq’s previous army. “The majority of these prisoners have been arrested for nothing other than for being Sunni. Every one of these prisoners has a family, and these families now have reason to hate Americans.”
Others blame the lack of security and the destroyed infrastructure for the increase in anti-U.S. sentiment.
“The lack of security is a direct result of the occupation,” resident Abu Ali said. “The Americans crossed thousands of miles to destroy our home and kill our men. They are the reason for all our disasters.”
Abu Tariq believes the U.S. military intentionally destroyed Iraq’s infrastructure. “The Americans destroyed the electricity, water pumping stations, factories, bridges, highways, hospitals, schools, buildings, and opened the borders for strangers and terrorists to get easily into the country,” he said.
The large number of Iraqis killed by U.S. forces has also embittered the population against the military.
“When targeted by a roadside bomb or suicide bomber, U.S. soldiers shoot at people randomly. Innocent civilians have been killed or injured,” said Yaser Abdul-Rahman, a 45-year-old schoolmaster. “Thousands of people have been killed like this.”
The anti-U.S. sentiment in Baquba is now so high that people no longer hide their distrust of the U.S.
“At the beginning of the occupation, the people of Iraq did not realize the U.S. strategy in the area,” said Abu Taiseer, a member of the communist party in the city. “Their strategy is based on destruction and massacre. They do anything to have their agenda fulfilled.
“Now, Iraqis know that behind the U.S. smile is hatred and violence,” Mr. Taiseer added. “They call others violent and terrorists, but what they are doing in Iraq and in other countries is the origin and essence of terror. America is the biggest producer of terror, and they spend huge funds for creating and training death squads all over the world.”
Despite the differing U.S. ways of dealing with Shias and Sunnis, the two sects seem united in their hatred of the U.S.
“Look at our country, it will need 30 years to get back again,” Edan Barham said. “This has nothing to do with sects; all of us are Iraqis, and we should think of Iraq in a better way than sectarian lines.”
Political analyst Azhar al-Teengane said the only Iraqis who support the occupation are those benefiting directly from it.
“The occupation is good for politicians who have made money, militiamen, contractors and opportunists,” Mr. Teengane said. “These form not more than five percent of Iraqi people.”
Self-rule could help lower anti-U.S. sentiment, said resident Jalal al-Taee. “In order to improve the situation, the U.S. army should let the people of this city run it.”
