Murder at midnight
PLAYBILL: Murder at Midnight
SETTING: Sadr City
CAST OF CHARACTERS: Abu Durra, Abu Durra's henchmen, two young voyeurs
ABU DURRA: Abu Durra is a renegade militia leader out to rid Baghdad of "Sunni terrorists" and, in the process, turn himself into a vigilante hero of his poor Shiite neighborhood.
Abu Durra is pitiless and brutal even by the twisted standards of Baghdad's Sadr City, where life is short and cheap and hard.
Abu Durra was a field commander in the Mahdi Army, Muqtada al-Sadr's gang of young, unemployed, mostly-uneducated thugs with a penchant for black track suits and conspiracy theories.
Now that Sadr is joining the political process, however, Abu Durra is suddenly a problem. He remains part of the Mahdi Army, but operates more or less on his own and without any official recognition, like spies in Hollywood movies who are told, "If you are caught we will deny all knowledge of your existence." The lack of oversight has made Abu Durra even more cruel and ambitious.
ABU DURRA'S HENCHMEN: Abu Durra is well connected and protected. Many of his relatives are in the Iraqi security forces. At a recent funeral for one of his fighters, Abu Durra was surrounded by a dozen relatives and bodyguards, some wearing Iraqi army uniforms and driving government vehicles with mounted machine guns.
TWO VOYEURS: Murder is part of the daily landscape in Sadr City. One night recently, two men in their early 20s went out see it for themselves. One them is my close friend, a once timid college student whose eyes have been opened and scared by so many burning images of violence.
SCENE ONE: An apartment in Sadr City. 6PM. My friend and his friend are talking about Abu Durra. My friend's friend said he'd met one of Abu Durra's henchmen, who had invited them to go on 'a mission' that night. This is where the scene picks up as it was relayed to me.
HIS FRIEND: He said they pick them (Sunnis) up everyday from Azamiya and Dora. They capture them in the morning, interrogate them during the day, and kill them at night. They pick up people who spend time at mosques known to be anti-Shiite.
MY FRIEND: Yeah?
HIS FRIEND: Yeah. They're coming by later. You want to see how they rub them out with your own eyes?
MY FRIEND: Yes.
SCENE TWO: Street corner Sadr City. Midnight. The two young men are waiting outside for Abu Durra's men. Four cars arrive and pick up my friend and his friend. They drive in a convoy to an open market. It's closed for the night. My friend described to me what happened next.
"We drove into the market. It was empty. There was trash in the streets and the fruit and vegetable stands were all shut. We stopped the cars and Abu Durra's men took a man out of one of the cars. He was blindfolded and his hands were tied behind his back. They sat him down on the curb and shot him three or four times in the head."
"Then what?" I asked, finding myself curiously (disturbingly) engrossed with the morbid curiosity that draws people to public executions and rubberneck at car accidents.
"Then, they just left his body in the market amid the garbage. After that, the cars drove a few blocks away to another part of the market, took another man out of the cars. He was like the first man, bound and blindfolded. They shot him in the head a few times and left his body there."
"How many people did they execute while you were with them?" I wanted to know.
"Six or seven."
"And each time, they drove to a new place? Why? Were they worried the police or soldiers would come after hearing the gunshots?"
"No, they are the police and soldiers. They weren't worried about that at all. They were proud of what they were doing. They went from place to place so they would spread out that bodies. They wanted as many people to see what they had done."
"Were they trying to send a message - a warning or threat to Sunnis?
Were they trying to say, ‘don't come here, or else?'"
"No, it's not about intimidation. It was their way of saying 'look at what we have done.' They were proud. It was a way for them to show the people that they were the defenders of justice, that they don't just arrest people and release them like the security services. No, these people make arrests and then carry out the executions. They wanted people to know that."
"Then what happened? The bodies just stayed in the market until it opened?" I asked.
"The police came and collected them in the morning. That is all the police do. They collect bodies," he said, laughing.
I was struck by his laughter. It was sad to see that my friend's emotions were so badly bruised and scared that somehow all of this seemed oddly comical. "How did this night make you feel?" I asked.
(PAUSE)
"It made it all seem so easy, that life can be extinguished so easily. One of the men they shot was a big man. He was a big, burly guy, but in one second he was dead. I was like, 'That's it? It's over?' He was probably a father and has children, but he can be killed so easily; a dog wouldn't be killed like this."
I put my hand on my friend's shoulder. "You are all going to go crazy. You are all losing your minds," I said.
"We are," he said.
Prisoners plight
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- Life beyond the violence
Suicide attacks and murders due to sectarian conflict continue around Iraq. See how residents live their lives amid the attacks.
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Animals. They need to turn the place into glass and let the vultures sort it out. Our administration has failed us miserably by involving the US in the nightmare. These people will NEVER be capable of governing themselves, they dont have the intelligence or the common sense that is necessary.
The terrorism will NEVER stop and here is the proof...the only way to deal with people and situations like this is to eliminate them. Totally.
Robert Catlin (Sent Jun 26, 2006 11:17:45 AM)
That is not justice you fools. I understand your anger and extreme frustration with all the evil people in Iraq, but are you any different if you operate the same as they do? Move away from violence and retaliation and let the governmental justice become your weapon. Turn criminals in to the authorities. It is not right for any one person to take the life of another. Who do you think you are? Only God has the right to give or take life. I assure you, God is very far away from you during your criminal killing sprees and criminal violence. Again I understand your anger and frustration. I to, want to Help Iraq free themselves from violence and evil. It really tears at my soul that I cant go to Iraq and kill every person responsible for killing American soldiers and coalition troops who have done nothing but try to help you people. Trust me the soldiers dont want to be there either. The soldiers are only there because of the people in Iraq who refuse to move away from violence. When these criminals dont get there way they kill to shut the mouth of there enemy.Open your minds. Every person has the right to believe what they choose but never does a person have the right to act violently. How could some people stand around and cheer when a helicopter crashes with soldiers dying inside? I watch on television how you cheer at the liberation of Iraq by coalition forces but your people try to kill them. What do you stand for Iraq? Be Our Brothers and Sisters and help spread peace throught the world. Turn your criminals in to authorites where they stand trial for there possible wrongdoing. The people of the United States only wanted to help Iraq because we cared.
U.S. Citizen
Jason (Sent Jun 26, 2006 11:32:34 AM)
So, all reporting done second hand because the journalist won't leave the Green Zone. Sounds like a civil war to me.
Bim, Seattle, Wash (Sent Jun 26, 2006 11:46:33 AM)
Now that is a shocking revelation! I would like to pose a few questions. Where do we go from here? Do you think there is any way to turn this around? Are the security forces really infiltrated to this degree?
Brandon, Denver, Colorao (Sent Jun 26, 2006 12:03:55 PM)
There seem to be no easy answers in Iraq. Violence begets more violence. I really wish the people who misled us into this war had had a better plan then "we'll bomb them, and then they'll greet us like liberators,"
steve bissel (Sent Jun 26, 2006 12:20:00 PM)
Wow, how can Americans even relate to any of this? Why are we even there? We can't change what has been entrenched for so many years, and are we condoning it by our presence to witness such events. Does anyone stop to think about the children?
But most of all thanks for posting this so that we know what truly is going on--like the "Bookseller of Kabul". Their world is foreign to us. It's the darkest side of humanity.
Sheree Fitzpatrick, Vancouver. WA (Sent Jun 26, 2006 12:27:10 PM)
Sometimes Richard takes a lot of heat for his blog writing style. Many people don't like it; they find it blithe. However I am glad he gets a break from the regular reporting and gives us little slice of life pieces like this. It's a perspective most of us can't get (nor would necessariy want). It reminds me of an art exhibit I saw years ago about "degenerate art" banned , and much too often destroyed, by the Nazis. Thanks for the reporting and for the style. And try to remain sane - there is a thin line ...
Chauchat (Sent Jun 26, 2006 12:31:10 PM)
this is what I think!. before fixing other peoples problem, lets fix ours!.
Thamir Bashir (Sent Jun 26, 2006 12:35:31 PM)
I, for one am glad to see articles like this and I hope that the American public is made more aware of this type of behavior. These people say they are justified in killing Sunnis and they hide under the cloak of uniformed Justice. Its all BS and the sooner we get out the better. WE have NO chance of fixing Iraq even without Saddam. Lets do the best we can and leave. Thats what the entire country wants is the infidels to go home.
So, Lets pick up, pack up, and ride off. Let them keep on killing each other. Soon enough the country will be silent and the Iranians can move in!
Scott Dorsey, Dodge City, KS (Sent Jun 26, 2006 12:44:22 PM)
The blog reads like an old refrain to me, who grew up in the Vietnam War. The incident was just another place, another faces, another war.
Anne (Sent Jun 26, 2006 12:50:13 PM)
They think they are doing the right thing, that is why they are proud of what they do. The bottom line is EDUCATION. They need education in all aspects of their lives and souls.
dieupa, St. Louis Mo. (Sent Jun 26, 2006 12:50:41 PM)
Its time we wake up....Our government is crazy...we are attempting to change a political climate that has been going on for at least hundreds of years. I have a son in Iraq, who I totally support in his effort, as part of the involvment of attempting to change this for the better. I worry about him every minute, every day. All due to lying war-monger politicians, who from their comfortable safe places here in the states, point fingers in directions all over the world, and say...you go here...you go there.
Curt Eureka, Calif (Sent Jun 26, 2006 12:53:41 PM)
We are headed on the path of mutual destruction. We push democracy on those that do not wish it. It has been this way ever since the crusades. Did we not learn anything then? Violence and death is all they understand. Democracy will NEVER take hold in Iraq. We as a country need to focus on our own internal issues before we attempt to save the world.
Frank Weisman, Tempe, Airzona (Sent Jun 26, 2006 12:54:26 PM)
richard. , keep up the great work , Allah keep u safe.....
r. belt, shawnee, okla. usa (Sent Jun 26, 2006 12:57:44 PM)
We need to remind ourselves to be proud to be American, To again realize we are the only people who care enough to keep trying to help, and have the guts to stay & make a difference whatever the price.
If we never give up, we never fail.
John March (Sent Jun 26, 2006 12:58:06 PM)
Maybe we should send missionaries over to Iraq. It seems to me that the soul of Iraq needs to be saved
first before the violence will stop. Human forgiveness
is too weak only God's forgiveness through Christ can save this mess.
Joel, Toronto,On. (Sent Jun 26, 2006 12:58:33 PM)
Do you fear that your "friend" or close friend as you introduced him will turn against you and you will become kidnapped or worse a "Daniel Pearl" situation will ensue? Journalists such as yourself are very courageous reporting the ACTUAL truth and not a veil disguise of what this administration BELIEVES to be the truth about the mess in Iraq.
Michele Marsh, Reston, Virginia (Sent Jun 26, 2006 1:03:23 PM)
General Powell said it right when he told President Bush not to invade Iraq because "if you do will own it" It's been quite a while and no end in sight of this disastrous situation
Bill Power Southbridge MA (Sent Jun 26, 2006 1:05:03 PM)
I feel very sad at the loss of innocent life, so cruelly wasted. Somehow the Iraqi people have to overcome their sick threats. I don't think sending our young innocent blood to them is the way to go. As we back out of it, other countries including Arab countries, will have to do something to stop it. I pray it works like our struggle against gangs in the 1930s and 40s.
Maureen from Hastings-on-Hudson, N.Y.
Maureen Ribeiro (Sent Jun 26, 2006 1:06:59 PM)
Where are our soldiers during all of this? Why dont we set our men up and wait for them?
dewayne, Arab Alabama (Sent Jun 26, 2006 1:08:22 PM)
We can have war here or there,where do you want it to be.
John Burford (Sent Jun 26, 2006 1:09:31 PM)
Could you imagine this situation happening across the U.S.? A melting pot of diversity? You wouldn't know who to trust or where to go. Sometimes it takes a civil war to settle a mess like Iraq. Once everyone has had enough of the pain and death (if), middle ground is easier to attain. Else, Iraq will cease to exist separated into three new nations.
Rick (Sent Jun 26, 2006 1:09:40 PM)
most wars are fought over religion.The differences,the beliefs or the interpetation of the writings.For some reason the more you belief the more you want to fight.Iam not saying that other reasons are not a factor such as greed ect,but it seems everytime the teorrist do something that metion god right before they do it.
larry (Sent Jun 26, 2006 1:10:08 PM)
I suggest a referendum be held in Iraq about whether US troops should be withdrawn. If approved, we should exit within 60 days at their request. If they vote to keep US troops we still establish a schedule for troop drawdown that the new Iraq government can plan for accordingly.
Roger Wehl (Sent Jun 26, 2006 1:10:21 PM)
Vicariously we live as the whole world dies. Homo Sapiens are a virus, using up and ruining natural resources and then moving on...We do not deserve to be on this planet. Greed, hate and religion will ruin this place we all call home. But life is an
adventure, enjoy the ride.
Matt (Sent Jun 26, 2006 1:11:34 PM)
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