Sunday, October 4, 2009

In Iraq's Anbar, a deep sense of abandonment

Exit of American troops from Anbar leaves many bitter and afraid
"The Americans left without even saying goodbye. Not one of them,"
"We stood by them, we carried out their requests, we let no one hurt them," he said in a rushed clump of words, near certificates of appreciation from the Marines and the U.S. Army that gather dust in a mother-of-pearl cabinet. "They weren't supposed to abandon us."

Steeped in desert traditions of pride, dignity and honor, no one in Anbar, perhaps the most Arab of Iraq's Arab regions, would contend that any foreign occupation was good, and the Americans remain deeply unpopular in some quarters here. But true or not, there is a prevailing sense in this vast, arid region bisected by the Euphrates that, as far as occupations go, the British were better at it than the Americans.

1 comment:

  1. The Marines are leaving Al Anbar completely to go to Afghanistan. The Marines haven't abondoned Al Anbar. They trainined the Al Anbar IP, INP,  and the 1st and 7th IADs. These are the best quality military units in the Arab world. Their job is done. Al Anbaris can now protect themselves.

    The Messiah is right to draw down to 6 US brigades and no nonUS troops from 24 US brigades and 5 non US brigades. The troops are needed in Afghanistan.

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