It was a far more peaceful scene than anyone could have expected. The Iraqis working around their farms appeared more bewildered than overjoyed by the night's aerial bombardment that had freed them from Saddam's rule. Moments after his town had been liberated by British and American forces, an Iraqi man, whose house stood just opposite the breach in the border wall, approached a British unit waving a white flag and offering a boxful of freshly harvested tomatoes in exchange for water. "I think it was more out of courtesy than because he needed water," said one British soldier serving with the 1st Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. "But he was very happy that he was no longer under Saddam's rule and said we should go and kill him if we had the chance. He said he was delighted to see us."
Another Iraqi, called Falih, whose farm was on the road towards Safwan, offered a more confused assessment of his feelings: "I like Americans and I like Saddam," he said. He pointed to a thick roll of money and said: "Saddam gave me this. He cannot be all bad. Christians and Muslims must live together." The Fusiliers appeared relaxed in the presence of their new Iraqi neighbours. |