r/IraqWar2003 Feb 04 '23

Tuesday, 4/1/2003

11 Upvotes

Last night was full with rough explosions but I slept deeply. I only know about the explosions when my family told me in the morning (I think I got used to these shattering sounds). I felt nauseous when I woke in the morning, I still hear the explosions while I had my morning tea. I went out after, to see helicopters shelling the nearby Park, there were some anti-aircraft heavy machine fires (DShK) heard too. The American helicopters were roving and roaming the whole day above the old city, without much resistance. While I set outside the house, I watched many families started their exodus from the old Najaf through our neighborhoods. Around noon, my grandfather and I, went up to the roof of the house in order to fix the TV antenna. The Helicopters that circled around the park start to fly over us. May be they saw us up there! But we didn’t really cared much. Saddam Hussain addresses Iraqis in a written speech through the iraqi TV station! He is not going “live” as usual! Is he dead? In the afternoon, I went to my friend Raad. He told me that some of our friends went to the old city today, not much disturbance or trouble there! Another guy in the neighborhood was passing by, he stopped to show us a metal pin or spike. He said it was dropped from a helicopter on someone and injured him while he was watching the “airshow” from his rooftop. I felt lucky! The coalition says they will not cease actions until Saddam ends. Now we can receive the coalition TV transmission. It shows images and videos from Um-Qasr (southern town near Basra). I can hear more explosions while writing these words, God is merciful and savior


r/IraqWar2003 Feb 04 '23

Monday, 31/3/2003

5 Upvotes

I woke up at 6:30 am. I prayed the dawn pray. even with the relatively-far bombing sounds and fighter jets noises, then went back to sleep. I woke up again at 8:30, I got into shower and then a breakfast. I went in the morning to fix the radio in the neighborhood’ shop. There I met my friend (Raad) and we talked about the developments and news. I also called another friend (phone lines still working). My friends confirmed that Americans approached the old city in Najaf today. They are in Al-Madeena street on the outskirts of old Najaf. In the afternoon the aircraft noises are very close. I went outsside the house with my uncle and a neighbor to see the many aircrafts in action. In the evening I went back to bring the radio from the shop. My friend Raad told me that the American troops outside the old najaf city seem to be a pioneer group (not the whole force). In the news; the siege of Najaf city is encasing while a battle between the republican guards and coalition forces are ensuing south of Karbala. At night, Im holding my heart in fear! would there will be another bombing to the artillery wreckages near our neighborhood. God is our protecter and savior. Sounds of explosions later at night! God saves.


r/IraqWar2003 Oct 11 '21

2003 (War Aesthetics)

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7 Upvotes

r/IraqWar2003 Sep 15 '21

The Invasion of Iraq - US Marines

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17 Upvotes

r/IraqWar2003 Aug 06 '21

What happened to RipIt?

4 Upvotes

I know you can buy the 16oz drinks at dollar stores but I’m trying to get my hands on the short can.


r/IraqWar2003 Mar 03 '21

US forces: Rockets hit airbase in Iraq hosting US troops

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9 Upvotes

r/IraqWar2003 Dec 29 '20

Michael Savage: "Saddam was a Stabilizing Influence"

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6 Upvotes

r/IraqWar2003 Oct 22 '20

Whatever!!!!So What???

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6 Upvotes

r/IraqWar2003 Aug 16 '20

Channel 4 Riding the Storm How to Tell Lies and Win Wars 3rd Jan 1996

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3 Upvotes

r/IraqWar2003 Aug 14 '20

Aws Lost It All During Iraqi War And Has Since Decided To Risk His Life Helping Refugees Like Himself

4 Upvotes

I interviewed Aws. He's an Iraqi/Palestinian refugee and activist who lost it all under the American invasion of Baghdad in 2003. Aws and his family fled Iraq and faced new struggles as refugees in Turkey. Despite poverty and hopelessness, Aws decided to do something amazing with his situation. Dangerous situations and even worse possibilities aside, he has dedicated the last five years of his life working to help refugees in Istanbul, a place where little help is given. He tells his whole story here.


r/IraqWar2003 Jun 11 '20

Man Lost It All During Iraqi War And Has Since Decided To Spend His Life Giving Back

6 Upvotes

I interviewed Aws. He's an Iraqi/Palestinian refugee and activist who lost it all under the American invasion of Baghdad in 2003. Aws and his family fled Iraq and faced new struggles as refugees in Turkey. Despite poverty and hopelessness, Aws decided to do something amazing with his situation. Dangerous situations and even worse possibilities aside, he has dedicated the last five years of his life working to help refugees and LGBTQ folks in Istanbul. He tells his whole story here.


r/IraqWar2003 Nov 18 '19

Desert Nights

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13 Upvotes

r/IraqWar2003 Oct 02 '19

I visited Saddam Hussein’s Summer Palace in Iraqi Kurdistan!

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13 Upvotes

r/IraqWar2003 Apr 09 '19

Defense of Freedom award given to Chattanooga man injured in security patrol for the Corps of Engineers

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7 Upvotes

r/IraqWar2003 Mar 19 '19

Videos

4 Upvotes

r/IraqWar2003 Jan 29 '19

My first cake day. With my iraqi coins collections including Saddam’s first cake-day in power 1980

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14 Upvotes

r/IraqWar2003 Jan 14 '19

ما رأي الشعب المصري بصدام حسين ؟

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3 Upvotes

r/IraqWar2003 Nov 10 '18

Hi Alae is here. I will update new entries whenever I get time

16 Upvotes

I didn’t post new entries for 8 months or so. My life was busy but I didn’t forget about this project. I received many messages from people who read some of these post. Thank you all for sharing your memories and encouraging comments. I know that my writing can be confusing sometimes. Maybe because of my “ok” English, or the fact that I am not a professional author with style and such. Also some of my life events and the side details that interest some might be boring for others. But for those who find this interesting, I will try my best to translate this war-memoir (which is around 9 months worth of material) whenever I get time. Thank you all.


r/IraqWar2003 Nov 10 '18

Sunday, 3/30/2003, the Eleventh.

4 Upvotes

I woke up at my aunt’s house this morning to find that my family had decided to go back to our home. By time I was out of bed they already had left. Except for my uncles who were still there when I made my cup of tea and came back to set with them. “OK I think I will go home now” I said as I put my unfinished tea on the table . On my way back, I met Osama (my friend). He told me how he was worried about us as he came by our house twice since the attack night no one answered the door. Osama also told me about the horrific things he saw during the raid (Osama’s family lived on the other side of the park and their house faced the area that was targeted during the raid).

“Airplanes were diving! up and down, with fire everywhere” Osama said, “Do you want to take a look at the site?” He asked. So we went there, to that dreadful site.

At noon the airplanes were swerving around the city again, causing scary noises (I remember, I was lying on the couch at the living room, covering my head with a pillow and pretending that I am taking a nap, so my frightened mom and family wouldn’t see that I am as much scared of the noise as they are).... Few booms sounds before everything was off. I learned later that airplanes attacked (al- qadisyia neighborhood) and that two farmers were killed during the attack. I called must of my friends in Najaf today. Some of them called me when they heard about the air raid near my home and got worried when no one answered the phone.

However, I couldn’t call any of my friends in Kufa city. News says that American troops were near Kufa today and there is no phone service there.

In Baghdad, attacks on Al-Athemia and Al-Hamadaniya areas.

My final remark today: Both Saddam and America are unfair. Iraqi people are the victims.

I sleep tonight while I can still hear the booming sounds.... God saves!


r/IraqWar2003 Sep 29 '18

Journalists who dropped the ball on Iraq war

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3 Upvotes

r/IraqWar2003 Apr 01 '18

Sat. 03/29/2003, The Tenth. The "Clash of Loyalties" (•)

6 Upvotes

The is our second day staying in my auntie's house. My heart is full of depressing agony, there is no sign of hope that this situation would ends any time soon. I can still see smoke coming from the north part of the city, and somewhere in the distance, the sounds of explosions are still heard. The landings of the coalition airborne forces in the north (Kurdistan) continued today, Meanwhile, the Kurdish Peshmerga is marching toward Kirkuk which they are now only 15 km of (~10 miles). Baghdad radio announced that the army did a "tactical withdrawal" from Mosel and Kirkuk. On the other-side, the news today were talking about "4-6 days of coalition operations suspension" but luckily, this was formally refuted by the coalition at later time tonight.

The worst news today however, are about what happened yesterday in Baghdad when a coalition airstrike hit a Al Shu'ale Souq killing of 55 civilians! see here: p.10 - Its late at night, as I'm writing. My mind is occupied with questions about those past horrific days, are they going to end anytime soon!?While faraway, I can still hear the unceasing airplanes wheezing.

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(•) "Clash of Loyalties" is an 80s Iraqi movie about the resistance against British occupation of Iraq (1917-1921). The movie was released in English to target western audience. But this propaganda project, financed by Saddam himself, was a total failure when no theater wanted to buy it. As I was translating today entry I remembered this title, the "Clash of loyalties", it has so much in common with what happened in this war. All the hopes, confusion, pride, and failures.


r/IraqWar2003 Apr 01 '18

Historical accounts about 27-28 March entries.

6 Upvotes

[Civilian Casualties in the 2003 Iraq War] 21 May 2003] (https://i.imgur.com/UvpTQVK.jpg)

by Melissa Murphy and Carl Conetta Project on Defense Alternatives


r/IraqWar2003 Mar 29 '18

Friday, 03/28/2003, The Ninth. (That sound)

10 Upvotes

I managed to get some sleep but a loud blast woke me up at 6:00 am. All my family were already sitting in the living room. Uncle-F was curious to see what happened last night so he went outside, "Many bodies, several houses are demolished, so at least three entire families are vanished now" He said as he came back after the short assessment. "The hiding anti-aircraft was turned to rubbished" he seemed indifferent about the whole situation. ( • )

There were some un-exploded artillery shells all over the street. One of the Iraqi Radar vehicle tried to leave the park area when it was targeted as it went few blocks on the street. BBC news reported today that "about 26 civilian were killed, as well as hundreds of paramilitants in the other parts of the city". ( •• ) See area map

As we were trying to figure out what is next?! we started to hear a noise of, at least, two airplanes, getting closer, then .... the blasts and explosions started. Shuttering the rest of the windows that survived from last night. This time, the noise was very characteristic! even more scary. ( ••• )

When the raid stopped. we waited for fe mints before we decided that we should leave. We expected that the next raid could end up in our living room, or in one of my uncles' or grandparent's living rooms! We would better move NOW. Everyone made their escape carrying whatever they can carry by hands. our destination was to "take refuge" at my Aunt's house. Her house was further back in the area, but must importantly, it was away from the Park, and the main roads. ( •••• )

We spent the whole time today in my aunt's house. The day was full with explosion and fires in different directions. One of the places that I heard it was targeted today, the designer-suits Warehouse in the north outskirt of the city. It has a strategic location so the Fedayeen used as a base.


( • ) Uncle-F used to be a private, serving in the Iraqi army for more than 9 years. He survived through Iraq-Iran war and he was taken as POW for few months during 1991 war. I guess he was immune to such scenes.

( •• ) It was an uneven war, and it was unfair to have the civilians in the middle of it. Saddam didn't care, he knew that his army was extremely weakened and beaten for a decade. Now, have to face the most powerful military in the history.
Saddam used us as "shields"..... so he can draw the attention and sympathy, so he can stay in power. On the other-hand, the American didn't care about the civilians either "as it seems the case, here" They needed a quick victory and "AWESOME" fireworks.

( ••• ) The noise was very distinct. Actually there were three sounds: A continuous "zipping" sound, followed by a knocking, like a machine gun, sound. Finally, the big "KABOOM" that rattled the house. After few repetitions, my brain start predicting a scary pattern. Once the zipping starts, the big explosion is coming soon! ......zzzzzzzzz.... tatatatata. BOOOOOOM, .....and repeat! It took me years to know what was that sound!! Four years ago, I accidentally stumbled across a video on Youtube that showed an attack by an American helicopter (either in Iraq or Afghanistan, does it really matter?!) When I heard it again. This time, I instantly come to recognized it. Huh, it was very strange now, I am "safe" and I live in America, but that fuckin noise brought back everything! Try it here "That's the sound of freedom right there"

( •••• ) My aunt was married but she didn't have children at time. Her husband was a very down to earth man. She worked a good job as an administrator in the "state-owned" trade company. They both made good many so they got a nice house. Which was great, big enough to welcome all of our extended family.


r/IraqWar2003 Mar 28 '18

I dived deep into youtube to get this video. This one of the last regime run Iraqi TV channel news report showing the houses in my neighborhood after 27-28 March attack. 26 Civilian casualties. And you can see the burned ambulance too. Source: https://youtu.be/yJidVVcILxU

24 Upvotes

r/IraqWar2003 Mar 28 '18

A U.S. Army combat engineer enjoys a cigarette as he relaxes between the cities of Najaf and Karbala as another sandstorm turned the daylight orange, on March 26, 2003 [The Atlantic] (https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2013/03/iraq-wars-10th-anniversary-the-invasion/100475/#img29)

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25 Upvotes