Banner Left

Hate runs deep in Fallujah

Hate runs deep in Fallujah

FALLUJAH – Tribal elder Sheikh Hussam Qahtan believes death for Iraqi police helping Americans to crush insurgents is God’s justice for those who betray their country.

Few residents shed tears as guerrillas on pickup trucks stormed the main police station in a bustling centre of the restive town in broad daylight on Saturday, spraying bullets at every policeman in sight. The Americans, who had turned over control of the city to police months ago, failed to show up to help the beleaguered police though two tanks took positions just outside the highway into the city, a reminder that even if they were not in the unruly city, they are still in control across Iraq.”It’s legitimate to kill the police who extend their hands to the Americans and help them arrest the Mujahideen (Muslim holy warriors),” said Qahtan, whose sentiment finds wide appeal in a town that has become the stronghold of resistance to the US presence.Police officer Ahmed Dulaimi lamented the indifference shown by fellow Iraqis towards the police as they faced from about 70 insurgents who pounded the compound with rockets, mortars and bullets in a battle that left 27 people dead, mostly policemen.”Even when we shouted for help the neighbours who use gunfire in weddings and every occasion kept silent as we shouted for their help against the attackers,” he told Reuters as he surveyed the shrapnel riddled walls of the battleground.Many Iraqis see the police and other security forces set up by the US administration ahead of a handover of sovereignty to Iraqis on June 30 as collaborators.But policemen see themselves as protectors of the people of Iraq and not traitors who serve the Americans.The co-ordinated attacks in which dozens of prisoners held by the police were released signalled a growing boldness on the part of insurgents fighting US-led forces and Iraqis they regard as supporting the occupiers.The showdown with the police comes amidst a US push to bolster the police role in the anti-insurgency campaign ahead of the June 30 handover.- Nampa-ReutersThe Americans, who had turned over control of the city to police months ago, failed to show up to help the beleaguered police though two tanks took positions just outside the highway into the city, a reminder that even if they were not in the unruly city, they are still in control across Iraq. “It’s legitimate to kill the police who extend their hands to the Americans and help them arrest the Mujahideen (Muslim holy warriors),” said Qahtan, whose sentiment finds wide appeal in a town that has become the stronghold of resistance to the US presence. Police officer Ahmed Dulaimi lamented the indifference shown by fellow Iraqis towards the police as they faced from about 70 insurgents who pounded the compound with rockets, mortars and bullets in a battle that left 27 people dead, mostly policemen. “Even when we shouted for help the neighbours who use gunfire in weddings and every occasion kept silent as we shouted for their help against the attackers,” he told Reuters as he surveyed the shrapnel riddled walls of the battleground. Many Iraqis see the police and other security forces set up by the US administration ahead of a handover of sovereignty to Iraqis on June 30 as collaborators. But policemen see themselves as protectors of the people of Iraq and not traitors who serve the Americans. The co-ordinated attacks in which dozens of prisoners held by the police were released signalled a growing boldness on the part of insurgents fighting US-led forces and Iraqis they regard as supporting the occupiers. The showdown with the police comes amidst a US push to bolster the police role in the anti-insurgency campaign ahead of the June 30 handover. – Nampa-Reuters

Stay informed with The Namibian – your source for credible journalism. Get in-depth reporting and opinions for only N$85 a month. Invest in journalism, invest in democracy –
Subscribe Now!

Latest News