Thursdays are the shopping day for me and for most Iraqis, the markets and super markets are filled with shoppers, the streets are so busy and the shoppers' cars double-parked, they even park on the side walk.
the peak of it is at 1-2 p.m. because it's where most employees head back home and they shop on their way. I used to shop from a place where there is two supermarkets opposing each other and many grocers, it's on my way when I get back home from the clinic.
Yesterday I was heading home after I have finished working at the clinic, my wife called me at work and she said we need Pepsi and bread for the lunch, so I decided to buy them on my way and after we finish lunch we will go together to do the shopping.
I parked the car far from the supermarkets because there is no empty parking spot, and as I was getting out from the car a huge explosion happened, a car exploded. It was very near to me, in fact, it was the nearest explosion one could see without being dead. the explosion took seconds but it was like years for me, I saw how the parts of the explosive car was flying in the air and landed on the pavment to kill the people or destroy the cars, I saw how the windows' glass of the shops and houses have exploded, I saw the shells flying every where and the ball of fire swallowing everyone around it, I saw that young lady struck in her back by a large shell (I think it was the door of the car), then there was the smoke that covered everything and the terrible silence, I can't be sure whether it was really that silent or it was my ears that couldn't hear a thing because of the loud explosion! I was in shock, there was nothing on my mind for a moment, it seemed like time has stopped, I felt like I don't exist.
Then there was a loud cry that got me back to reality, it was the scream of a women, then followed by many screams and cries, I rushed to the site through the smoke of death, there were people from everywhere running toward the scene; as I was running many things rushed in my head, what would have happened to my wife if I died, what will she do? who will tell her that I have died? what might have happened if I reached there 3 minutes earlier?
when we reached to the site, I saw three men and a women with a child on the pavment, it was so obvious that they are dead, there was that young lady struggling on the pavment, she was seriously injured and I don't think she is going to make it, there were many men,women and children on the pavment, I couldn't know how is everyone, at that time the National guards came to the scene, they have a nearby checkpoint, they started screaming on everyone "get the hell out of here" "there might be another one" "if you don't go now we will start shooting", so everyone including me started to retreat, but there was a women that I will not be able to forget, she was screaming, crying in sorrow and swearing "F**k Alqaeda and F**k Almahdy army and F**k anyone who is responsible for this, I want my husband, I want my dear husband, he is inside the shop, and you bastards are telling us to go away! F**k you too, what were you doing, I want my husband, let me in".
I got in my car and moved away from the scene, but continued to watch, after a while the US troops came with more National Guards and Police, they seemed to be very angry and aggressive, they started to pick up the wreck of the explosive car, i was able to identify it, it was Volkswagen Golf, and that women was still screaming I could hear her but couldn't know what she was saying.
I headed home and on my way I was thinking and remembering, I remembered few days ago when I was with my wife in the car passing by the same supermarket and there was a National guards temporary checkpoint when I told my wife "mark my words, there will be an explosion here because it's a very safe neighborhood and whenever the national guards start to make temporary checkpoints in it then there will be an explosion soon" I can't be sure of the reason , but either they are targeted so an explosion occurs or they are the ones who causes it (corrupted members).
I was thinking with my self; is this the sign of the (A NEW ERA)? where the safe areas becomes dangerous and the dangerous becomes safe? Adhamyia is now safe, so where will the remaining members of AQ who hasn't joined the awakening will go? where can the members of Almahdy army go after they're being persecuted in their areas? they will go to new areas, that's for sure.
this neighborhood was so safe to a level that European embassy employees are shopping sometimes from that supermarket by them selves, they park their cars and walk to do the shopping (they weren't present at that time).
and few days ago, armed men wearing commandos clothing stopped a primary school bus and kidnapped a kid who is the son of a merchant, things are deteriorating in this neighborhood which considered to be safe.
I wasn't carrying my camera with me at the time of explosion and even if I had it I wouldn't take a photo. by the way, this incident wasn't mentioned in news or any media source! I wonder how many explosions like this happens and no one says anything about it? I believe there is some sort of keeping Iraqi news from reaching the world.
At the end I wish that I can talk with the one who left the car and detonated it, I just want to ask him, WHY? WHY? are the supermarkets sins? is buying food a sin? or is it collaboration with the Americans? I just want to know why you bastard killed those people, there were children and women, WHY? there were Sunni, Shiite and Christians buying from that supermarket, WHY?
I know your true answer before you open your rotten mouth, you don't want life, you don't want Iraqis to live although (I'm ashamed) you are Iraqi, because you are a dog for Tehran or a slave for the twisted Taliban.
May god roast you in hell.
Friday, December 14, 2007
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27 comments:
Oh, God.
To anyone caught up in a car bomb, the world headlines about security "improving" in Iraq are utterly, obscenely, meaningless.
I thank God for preserving your life, Mohammed. You - and millions of other, blameless, Iraqis - have seen things that no one should see.
God's peace on those who died, and may God somehow comfort their loved ones.
Horrible story. I'm glad you escaped from physical injury at least.
This is numbing, for it involves both direct experience and consuming writing about a horrific act.
Thank goodness you are OK, Mohammed. Just keep safe, if you can!
You are a survivor, Mohammed. Praise be that you are ok. In answer to the question of why they do it? They do it to keep people in fear. That's why they are called terrorists. It's the same strategy that's been used in Israel for years and years. No matter what you think of the politics there, they've learned to live life with suicide bombers and the horrible effects. Still, they go on living life. If they don't, the terrorists win. It's all you can do. Be hypervigilant. Now is not the time to let down your guard, but also you have to go on living your life. Times when everyone goes shopping will be the most attractive times for terrorists to attack. They do it at cafes, weddings, shopping malls, anywhere people will gather and be off guard.
Thank you for writing this first hand account. I've read news reports about car bombs in Iraq in the last few days. Iraq may be a bit more secure, but it's far from secure. Iraqi people need to go on with living with each other and finding out who the bums are to stop them attacking.
No, they don't think shopping is a sin. It may be collaborating/cooperating with the Americans, but that's just their excuse for today. If it weren't that, they'd be doing it because women weren't wearing the hijab or men did not have beards, or too many people were smoking. The excuses go on and on.
As for the kidnapping, that was most likely to ransom the kid and make money. That happens in America as well. The best you can hope for is to minimize it by getting your unemployment down to around 5% so there won't be so many people needing money.
And, ljm, Palestinians have to cope with State terrorism and appalling abuse of human rights by the State. I do hope that you are not a Zionist.
We are all glad you and your wife are safe Mohammed. I was in Iraq, and agree with your comments. Go to the market during "off-peak" hours. You got a car. I know gas is hard to get, but stay away from mass transit.
Stay in touch friend.
Indigo said my words Mohammed....
Tke care always...x
I have been reading your blog for a few weeks now, but this is my first comment.
It is a shame that this story didn't make it to the mainstream media. Ever since the American politicians and military leaders said the violence has begun to subside, everyone thinks we have won, or are on the smooth road to winning. Just a few months ago, the presidential debates were focused on Iraq, but ever since the reports of less violence, they don't mention Iraq anymore. It's a shame.
It's also a shame that these attacks continue happening. Murder is murder, I don't agree with calling these "people" terrorists, because that means they have a cause, but do they? We all know blowing innocent people up while buying groceries is just plain murder.
How do you live with this day in and day out? I know you may not have a choice, but how do you put it out of your mind and try to live a normal life?
Thank you for your postings, I appreciate your perspectives on everything.
Dr.M
Could this be your car bomb?
Thursday, 13 December 2007
Multi-National Corps – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Camp Victory
APO AE 09342
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20071213-01
December 13, 2007
Extremist attack wounds 6 civilians (Baghdad)
2nd IBCT, 2nd Inf. Div. Public Affairs
Multi-National Division – Baghdad PAO
FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq – Six civilians were wounded by a vehicle-borne improvised explosive device Dec. 12 in eastern Baghdad.
Following the detonation, Soldiers with 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment sealed off the area and assisted in the aftermath of the attack.
Iraqi first responders treated the wounded and transported them to a medical facility for treatment.
“Attacks such as these against innocent civilians are by those who are trying to prevent the peace and stability Iraqi citizens deserve,” said Lt. Col. Scott R. Bleichwehl, public affairs officer for Multi-National Division – Baghdad.
Tom in Texas
Tom in Texas,
No, it's not this one, I though this was it too when I was searching for the incident, but I found out that it was in Al-Ghadir which is far far away from where I'm talking about. what I'm talking about is in Western Baghdad.
Indigo,
Perhaps what went on in Beirut would have been a more acceptable example for you. For whatever the Palestinians have to live with, it's not suicide bombers. That's my point. I'm talking about places people have to live with suicide bombers.
Fayza;
Hello Mohammed, hamdilla 3al salama, good to know you're safe despite the horror.
Just a little note on the side:
The last of the Mohicans by James Cooper is a very racist novel. I did not pay attention to it until i studied it at university. I don't want to imply at all that it has something to do with your blog for that matter, but just thought I'd leave a comment about it. The description of the native people in America is ruthless. Although the battles at that time were mostly between "white" groups, the terrible and almost cannibalistic acts are all associated with Native Americans.
Like the actual wars among the powerful "whites" is something normal and taken for granted, just like the "evil" nature of the locals is something that cannot be changed. Very distracting from the real and bigger picture, especially when the locals start fighting each other
Does this resemble anything familiar?
Take Care
Mohammed,
Thank God you are safe. That must have been a terrible experience to witness.
Both you and your dear wife must avoid shopping at the busy times.
"I wonder how many explosions like this happens and no one says anything about it?"
That is exactly what I was wondering!
I feel so angry and upset about what is happenning in Iraq today. Nearly five years on where is the freedom and democracy that was promised? The daily ordinary every day things such as shopping, going to work and children going to school are filled with danger. How things have changed for the worse for innocent Iraqis.
Do take care, my thoughts are with you and your family.
Um Ayad.
Dr.M:
The only car bomb in Western Baghdad that I could find any info on, occurred on Dec. 11 (Tues.).
Know anything about this one?
Baghdad, Dec 11, (VOI) – A car bomb explosion in al-Mansour area, western Baghdad, on Tuesday morning left 10 people wounded in an initial count of casualties, a medic from al-Yarmuk hospital in Baghdad said.
"A car bomb went of near an Iraqi police patrol in al-Mansour, leaving 10 patrol soldiers seriously wounded," the medic told the independent news agency Voices of Iraq (VOI) on condition of anonymity.
Earlier, an official security source said the car bomb attack left unidentified number of people killed and wounded.
"The victims of the blast could not be counted immediately," the source told VOI, giving no further details.
Tom in Texas
Fayza,
Thank you for the note, but I didn't name my blog affected by the last of Mohicans, you should read my first post in which I mentioned why I named my blog Last of Iraqis, and by the way I might be affected subconsciously by the Last of Samurai (Tom Cruise) I always watch it and like it very much. Thank you again.
Um Ayad,
Thank you very much, we're still waiting to live the dream of democracy and freedom, I wonder; will I ever be able to see it?
Tom in Texas,
No, this isn't the one either, I said in my post that it wasn't mentioned in any media source, I didn't say this until I searched the internet and the TV news channels.
I could have taken some pictures but I didn't want for many reasons, first of all the National guards were so angry and aggressive and if they noticed me taking picture then I'll be disappeared within seconds (they might think I have caused it), the second reason I felt it was ethically inappropriate to take pictures in that situation.
Mohammed,
"we're still waiting to live the dream of democracy and freedom, I wonder; will I ever be able to see it?"
I hope and pray that you will. You and all the good decent Iraqis have suffered far too long.
Please take care of yourself.
Um Ayad
Mohammed, did you ever consider that it maybe the americans doing that kind of thing? Think about US does not want Iraq in good shape because them you guys will have no need for them, there was no bombings before the invasion and remember awhile back when a couple US soldiers where caught with explosives and making materials in the trunk of their regular car and they were arrested only to have the US military to break them out of jail? To me it is the Americans causing all these bombings some times directly other times they probably pay iraquis to do it for them, it serves their ultimate goal.
Also have you guys passed the oil profit sharing bill yet? Please don't since it will only benefit EU and US interests and not Iraqui interests.
You guys need to do everything possible to remove US from your country and go back to a normal life, I currently live in the US but I so don't agree with all they have being doing it, it actually makes me feel like not being an American anymore I might even resign my Citizenship and find a more moral country to be called mine.
I am afraid that I had had the same thought as "tiredtobeamerican", above. It has Negroponte's pawprints all over it.
I agree with what tiredtobeamerican says about the oil profit sharing bill, too.
tiredtobeamerican above makes a good point. It could be Americans wiring up cars and detonating them by remote control (easy enough to do). It isn't in Bush's interests to have a peaceful Iraq.
It might be a possibility that US is behind this one and many other, it might be Tehran or Syria or Afghans or whoever,
but who did it is Iraqi and that's the shame, that's the one who should be blamed, because all the others are forigners they don't care about Iraq and Iraqis, but I blame the Iraqis who does the dirty job.
and about the oil and gas law, if it got approved it will be the worst thing that will happen to Iraq and when it happens, no one with a brain should dream of a good future anymore.
Mohammed I just keep loosing my mind with all that is happening in Iraq. I wish I had a magic wand so I could save you all, save all of Iraq and make it safer.
Be safe Mohammed.
Peace/ Nadia
I would not agree that the US is behind such attacs directly. At least not on a regular basis, though I guess some specific targeted assassinations could have taken place.
Btw, the incident "tiredtobeamerican" referrs to I believe was in Basra and it was UK troops involved, not US ones.
I would say that the US played the sectarian card in a divide and conquer strategy, to a large degree, and that it got way out of hand. I do not believe they have been actively placing bombs or instructing proxies to do so.
I agree about the oil law. It needs to be scrapped altogether I would say. Start off with a profit sharing agreement for all state revenue. Why mix it up with oil liberalisation legislation? They are separate issues and should be treated separately, starting with profit sharing. Otherwise the message is clear: No oil law = no revenue sharing = no reconciliation.
"I do not believe they have been actively placing bombs or instructing proxies to do so."
Marcus I strongly suspect that they have. Starting a war they had no problem with; so setting up a bomb here or there is nothing if you compare it to the fact that they were okey with a war to get what they want.
I'm glad you're okay. Stay safe.
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