Sleepy Iraqi Town Becomes a War Zone
Sat Feb 28, 8:23 AM ET
By TAREK AL-ISSAWI, Associated Press Writer
YOUSEFIAH, Iraq - For Waleed Shalal, postwar life has become a daily nightmare. The 52-year-old Iraqi lawyer divides his time between comforting his children and staying out of harm's way, as U.S. troops trade blows with insurgents in this once-tranquil town just south of Baghdad.
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The terrain around Yousefiah, a farming community with a large irrigation canal cutting through the town, is well-suited for ambushes and attacks because palm groves and brush offers cover.
Abu Yousef, who also lives close to the base and refused to give his full name, said a railroad track across the road from the American installation serves as a perfect getaway for the fighters.
"When a freight train arrives, they lob mortars toward the base, and escape through the fields undetected," he said.
Abu Yousef, who was arrested and held for 45 days on weapons charges and suspicion of attacking Americans, said the roof of his house was damaged last week by a mortar shell.
"I think it was the fighters. They missed the base and hit my house," he said, then added with a smile: "You can call it collateral damage."
Abu Yousef said some villagers sympathize with the fighters, and while they might not provide them with help, they don't report them to the Americans either. "If this continues much longer, many people will be active fighters. The Americans are not welcome here."