Posted on 04/07/2003 4:39:36 AM PDT by lainie
ARABS reacted with dismay and disbelief to television images of US tanks in the heart of Baghdad, with some dismissing the news as American propaganda and others signing up for jihad.
While few Arabs believed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's regime could indefinitely hold out against the allied onslaught on Baghdad, many had expected the capital to put up a more ferocious fight than the southern city of Basra, which had taken British troops two weeks to dominate.
That is why news of US troops in central Baghdad left many shocked and wondering whether Saddam had been bluffing when he promised to slaughter the American troops at the gates of Baghdad.
Over a breakfast of croissant and coffee at a men's only cafe, Saudi accounting instructor Haitham al-Bawardi said he was having a hard time believing the TV reports.
"How can we know this is for real and not just coalition propaganda?" al-Bawardi, 30, said.
"But if this is true, it's quite frustrating," he added. "We had hoped Saddam would inflict as many casualties on the invaders as possible to teach them a lesson and make them think twice before striking another Arab country."
In Cairo, Egypt, the news made some more determined to join other Arabs who have gone into Iraq for jihad, or holy war, alongside Iraqis. The Lawyers' Syndicate began filling up with volunteers shortly after the news was broadcast.
"As Arabs, we cannot see this and not move," said a man in his early 30s who was too worried about government retribution to give his name. "We are selling ourselves for a higher cost, for God, not for Saddam."
Another volunteer, Abdelfattah, 41, a worker in a regional city council, refused to believe the Americans were in Baghdad, saying the reports were "all lies".
"It is a psychological war," said Abdelfattah. "If it is true then it is only a military strategy, to lure the American forces into a trap."
Despite the light resistance to today's incursion into the city, Abdelfattah insisted "Saddam himself will fight until the very end. ... He will remain standing until he dies while fighting for Iraq."
Amjad Mohammed, a 23-year-old Syrian hairdresser, said he feels "very sad".
"The Americans can never stay in Baghdad," said Mohammed. "Baghdad is noble Arab land."
Ali Oqla Orsan, head of the Arab Writers' Union, described the US incursion as a "propaganda parade," and said he hoped the allied troops would face "total defeat".
"They are practising terrorism against a sovereign country," said Orsan, a Syrian. "If the allied forces occupy Iraq, it would signal the beginning of a liberation war against the colonialists."
In Muscat, Oman, scores of men watched the news from Baghdad with angry and resentful faces. One shouted, "Where is your army Saddam?" Another, not believing the television pictures, grumbled: "These Americans are relying on false propaganda!"
Abdel Moneim al-Hosseni, an Omani university professor, expressed hope that the Republican Guard and the Iraqi army would still show some force but said war-watchers had to be realistic.
"We should not forget that Iraq, after 12 years of sanctions and siege that weakened it, cannot have very huge defence capabilities," he said.
In Lebanon, most citizens stayed close to their TV sets or radios to follow the news. Many refused to believe the American reports, opting to believe Iraqi Information Minister Mohammed Saeed al-Sahhaf's version of events.
"Sahhaf said they were not yet in Baghdad, didn't you hear him?" said Hisham Moniyyeh, 27, who runs a currency exchange shop in the southern port city of Sidon. "The Americans have been lying a lot since the beginning of this campaign so I don't believe them."
Merhej Shamma, a 39-year-old Lebanese architect, said he was shocked at how easy it has been for the Americans to enter Baghdad.
"I thought some of the fiercest fighting was supposed to take place in Baghdad. Where are the Republican Guards?" he asked.
Memo to Arab world - now that you've seen what we can do, pardon my language, but shut the bloody hell up, keep your hands at your sides, and drop your box cutters. Otherwise, you'll die. End of discussion.
Regards, Ivan
Why stop at our version of advancement. What campaign?
(more muffled laughter)
While few Arabs believed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's regime could indefinitely hold out against the allied onslaught on Baghdad, many had expected the capital to put up a more ferocious fight than the southern city of Basra, which had taken British troops two weeks to dominate.
That is why news of US troops in central Baghdad left many shocked and wondering
I'll take Shock 'n' Awe for $200, Alex.
"Was that it?" Asks the media, looking for a more intense fireworks show, and missing the point entirely. Again.
And I am sorry for our service members, but it may be just as well for them to be in harm's way longer so they can weed out the hotheads that come from other countries in the Middle East to make a suicide charge against them.
A real pity, but maybe necessary for future hopes for peace.
He has already told the world that the Coalition's efforts have been a failure. Where is his report on the obliteration of Coalition forces in Bagdahd?
Anybody who wants to "sign up for jihad"?
We should pick 'em up and bring them to Iraq RIGHT NOW!
There's no time like the present.
Bluffing? I don't think he was bluffing. I think he was delusional, at best. It's easy to act brave when you're a wealthy coward at heart, hiding underground from the coalition and your own people, having them sacrifice their lives for your cause.
Wake up, Arab nations.
They're dead, Jihad Jim.
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