My Shiite Friend Lived Similarly
Reader comment on item: A tale of two crypts

Submitted by RJ (United States), Dec 17, 2003 at 19:51

I have an account to relate here. My Shiite friend from Basra lived under ground for several years similarly. He got his chance to escape during the Shia uprising after Desert Storm.
During the Iran-Iraq war, he was a student in a University. his brothers were sent to fight in the war and did not come back. Him being the only son, his mom wanted to save him. However, he was forced into the air defense unit of his city. During one of the rare Iranian air raid or scud raids, he and a few of his friends escaped and found their way into Saudi Arabia. In the beginning life was Ok in Saudi Arabia until the Iranians began launching their desperate human wave Operation Baitulmuqadas. An equally desperate Sadham with Egyptian, Jordanian and other recruits dwindling, persuaded the Saudis and other Gulf nations to expell Iraqi deserters back to Iraq. My friend in desperation approached even Israelis (yes this is true) to help him get out of Sadham's clutches. Yet, unable to even run away to India despite the help of some Indians working in Saudi Arabia, he resigned to his fate and went back to Iraq along with other Iraqis who were expelled by the Saudis. However as luck was on his side, he escaped again. His mom hid him in an underground cellar under thier floor. Numerous time the Muqabarat came looking for deserters but he was not found. For several years he just ate, listened to radio and watched some TV. Then came Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. In the confusion of the Shia uprising, he escaped. During the journey into Saudi Arabia, he witnessed the massacres of Shiites and the roles played by Palestinian volunteers in carrying out Sadham's dirty job. Yes, Palestinians were involved in the killing of Shiites during the uprising. I hope when Sadham is interogated and eventually put to trial, the roles played by Palestinians in the massacres will be widely exposed. Eventually my friend escaped and came to the USA. These days, he works as a tourist photographer-taking polaroid pictures of tourists or offer his photo taking services during special events. He also had a minor role in the movie "Three Kings" which Ice Cube starred. One thing I know about him. He has no sympathy whatsoever for the Palestinian Arabs after witnessing what they did to his people.
RJ

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