WarSclerotic

Baghdad ‘deserted’ as residents live in fear, The Australasian News, June 14, 2014

A member of the Iraqi security forces mans a checkpoint in Baghdad. Source: AFP

“Baghdad has been empty for two days,” said Zaid Andulwahab, 33, sitting in a deserted restaurant in the centre of Baghdad.

“The gunmen are only 90km away from the capital. This means … they might storm it all of a sudden,” he said.

Jihadists spearheaded by fighters from the Sunni Muslim Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham earlier seized the town of Dhuluiyah, 90km north of Baghdad, and the nearby Muatassam area.

Mr Andulwahab appeared shocked by the sudden charge of the militants and the failure of government forces to stop them.

“Where is the army that we spent billions” to build up, he exclaimed, referring to the fact that many soldiers have discarded their uniforms and abandoned their posts when confronted by the powerful and disciplined jihadist force.

“We are in shock and living in a state of anxiety and fear that we have not experienced since 2003,” he said, referring to the year US-led forces invaded Iraq and ­toppled the regime of dictator Saddam Hussein.

In Baghdad’s Karrada commercial strip, usually teeming with activity, shops were almost deserted. “Business has dropped significantly in the past two days,” said a 25-year-old barber, who gave his name only as Salam.

“We are surely worried about the developments, but we hope that nothing will happen in Baghdad,” he added.

At the entrance to Karrada, Abu Alaa etched a pane in his glassmaking shop, while voicing fear over a lack of security.

“People are confused. Everyone feels left alone and there is no one to provide security,” he said.

“Nobody expected this,” he added, speaking of the swift ­advances of militants.

He said he was trying to come to terms with the fact he may be forced to flee the city and become a “refugee”.

“Anything could happen in Baghdad now.

“A month ago it was impossible, but now anything is possible,” he said.

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