Iraqis still afraid a year after invasion

[dArKeR]

By Ghaith Abdul-Ahad

Baghdad - When US troops invaded Iraq a year ago to topple Saddam Hussein, traffic police officer Saad Mutachar was given an AK-47 by his boss to help defend Baghdad against the state-of-the-art weapons of the Americans.

"He gave me a helmet and a Kalashnikov and made me stand in a street like a guard," said Mutachar, 30. "When I heard the Americans were on the outskirts of Baghdad I left my helmet and rifle in the street and went home."

On the first anniversary of the invasion, many Iraqis say their life has improved now they are rid of Saddam Hussein. But many others complain that a year of suicide bombings, random attacks and lawlessness has left them fearful and traumatised.

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