Baghdad neighborhood rises up and fights back

Mercury News ^ | May 3, 2006 | Zaineb Obeid

[FairOpinion]

Abu Salah heard the screeching tires and gunfire outside his home in central Baghdad...

He rushed from his house to see his neighbors - Shiite neighbors - on their roofs, in their windows, in their yards, firing at the attackers. In a trembling voice, he explained that at that moment he felt life change. He realized that his neighbors weren't going to stand by and let the bad guys win.

"I prefer now to die among my friends and neighbors rather than leave my home," he said. "I felt thrilled to see them fighting, all my neighbors standing next to each other guarding the area."

Many Iraqis openly hope that there will be more examples of residents rising up to say they've had enough of sectarian groups trying to split apart Iraqis - Sunni and Shiite - who'd previously lived side by side in peace.

"We have noticed a big difference in violence after people undertook security in their neighborhood," said Lt. Col. Abu Ali, a police officer who patrols the Hai al-Aamel area, where Abu Salah lives.

"They can't shoot at us; we are on the roofs," he said. "But when I got down to the street I was happy to see the whole street carrying weapons."

Neighbor Abu Aadel shared the sentiment.

"We are fed up with the gang attacks coming every day," he said. "It's time to put an end to such attacks, even if it costs our lives."

[FairOpinion]

Definite signs that the Iraqis, even Iraqi civilians are starting to take responsibility for their own security and this is the beginning of the end of the terrorists.

[FairOpinion]

Encouraging news from Iraq.

[MedicalMess]

They can't shoot at us; we are on the roofs," he said. "But when I got down to the street I was happy to see the whole street carrying weapons."


I love this neighborhood!

[Pajamajan]

Great story. But it's a double no-no for the MSM- A positive Iraq story combined with armed citizens defending themselves. Hell will freeze over before this is covered in the press

[ATOMIC_PUNK]

Smell that ?...It's the tantalizing smell of Sweet Freedom

Breath deep take your time in exhalation savor all it has to give !

[knarf]

Maybe the Iraqi's will write their constitution how we almost wrote ours ...

1st Ammendment;
"A well regulated militia .. "

[NewRomeTacitus]

I've also read, from reports from Generals there, that Al Queda insurgents have become increasingly unwelcome while the old tribalism strife (under the guise of palatable pseudonyms) has come back to the fore.

Sorry to say but this attempt to establish Democracy in the Middle East hasn't supplanted the factionalism these folks have lived and breathed since birth. Our way of life and government would be appealing if Islam wasn't the dominant cult (80%) - thus most of the populace ties their government to religion without room for freedom of thought or opinion.

Should our people stay there if the population has committed itself to retaining it's cemented ways while they fight over brother-in-law-hood 800 years gone?

I say screw them -declare victory while we still can, hand it over to the UN and gear up for Iran with a window of preparedness.

[jmc1969]

The last thing Iraq needs are more militas.

[IrishMike]

Is there a ARA or Benchmark Realty office advertising this block yet ???????

[panaxanax]

Imagine if the headline read:

"American Neighborhood Rises up and Fights Back."

i.e. Minutemen along the southern border.

[mbennett203]

"A positive Iraq story combined with armed citizens defending themselves"

Don't forget a line that says it was due to anger about the terrorists trying to destroy Iraqi unity. It's a triple-screwed positive news story. It won't get any airtime.

[ClaireSolt]

Who says that it is not democracy if groups are fighting each other? That's the old stabiity paradigm raising its ugly head. They have had every disagreement suppressed for many years. I am not at all surprised they have scores to settle. Now, they are out in the open. That's all.

[mathluv]

I bet Joe Biden doesn't like this!

[excalibur1701]

It must be difficult for our military to figure who is the bad guy. Especially in this situation.

[marktwain]

Iraq should have their version of the 2nd amendment, but it was quashed by the first administrator Bush appointed, instead of encouraged. Wasn't he from New York City?

[wolfcreek]

The Iraqis are taking back their country maybe, We should start thinking of taking ours back?

[RAY]

Making it to costly and dangerous for the bullies and killers is the only solution in these situations.

[UNGN]

Countdown to the MSM refering to them a "Vigilante's" in 5, 4, 3, 2....

[ishabibble]

You make some fine points, but I ask you to consider the "Monkey See Monkey Do' aspect of the Muslim culture. The neighbors of Iraq, Persian Iran and Arab Jordan, have been so influenced by Western culture that they do put much of it into play in their politics. I believe that the Iraqis will find their way, and it will be a great moment for them on the day Saddam is hanged. Just like the elections, Iraqi success is on their terms.

As for Iraqi citizens being armed and protecting their homes, the frightened rats of Europe look on in envy...

[Redleg Duke]

Spoken like a true quitter.