For two months, this historic city of commerce and culture was a "no-go" zone for American troops, firmly in the grip of religious extremists, some linked to al-Qaida.
"Kevin, I think we should let them try that Olde Tyme Religion™ for awhile. See how they like it."
"You're a cruel man, sir!" |
During that time, residents say they endured a reign of terror, where gunmen snatched men from their homes and killed at least 10 of them as American spies. Finally, city officials cut a deal with the Americans this week to reopen the city in return for an end to attacks. U.S. troops entered Samarra on Thursday for the first time since May 30. They toured the streets for several hours, inspecting damage from fighting in July and August, and meeting with officials to talk about reconstruction. "The past two months have been very critical," said merchant Rasheed Mahmoud. "There was almost no law. Kidnappings were widespread. God willing, things will be better now."
| "Please, sir? Can we be occupied again?" |
It's too early to tell whether the deal will hold. But if it does, it could serve as a model for easing tensions elsewhere in Iraq where insurgents hold sway. Prime Minister Ayad Allawi already has made overtures to insurgent-controlled cities such as Fallujah and Ramadi, hoping to strike deals that will restore state control, marginalize extremists and enable officials to hold elections by the end of January as planned.
| "You guys had enough yet?" |
Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld said Iraqi cities like Fallujah would be brought into the fold, either peacefully or by force. "We know what will take place in Fallujah. And that is that it will be restored as something under the control of the Iraqi government eventually. What we don't know is whether it will be done peacefully or by force. But one way or another, it will happen," Rumsfeld said Friday in Washington.
| My guess is it'll be by force... |
For many people in this city about 60 miles north of Baghdad, the agreement to restore state authority and end the rule of the insurgents didn't come a moment too soon. "The tribal chiefs and others went to the Americans after the city was near total lawlessness," said a portly, bearded Samarra merchant as he chatted with friends in a shop in the city market. "Samarra is now the most dangerous city in Iraq."
| "Us Arabs worked hard to make it that way. It was a religious obligation, y'know..." |
Like many in Samarra, he spoke on condition of anonymity, still fearful of reprisal should the accord falter and the insurgents again take control. Signs of the turmoil are everywhere in this city of 250,000 people, which served for a time as the capital of the Muslim empire in the 9th century. Most of the major streets have been renamed after insurgents killed by the Americans.
| "Butch" Boulevard. "Muggsy" Street. "Greasy Thumb Mahmoud" Way... |
A black banner could be seen Friday fluttering atop the 170-foot-tall spiral minaret which is the symbol of Samarra's past glory. It was the banner of Tawhid and Jihad, the group led by al-Qaida-linked terrorist Abu Musab al-Zarqawi that is believed responsible for a wave of kidnappings, beheadings and car bombings in Iraq. Residents said al-Zarqawi's followers began to operate openly after the Americans stopped patrolling Samarra months ago. Al-Zarqawi's gunmen blew up homes of several prominent Iraqis accused of collaborating with the Americans.
"We must reason with them, Mahmoud!"
"I'll get the explosives!" |
At least 10 men were slain over the past two months for allegedly spying for the Americans, according to townspeople still too fearful to allow their names to be published. Those deaths were blamed on al-Zarqawi's followers. Last month, residents said, Tawhid and Jihad gangs ransacked a printshop that had published flyers announcing plans by city leaders to negotiate with the Americans. As the social fabric unraveled, others exploited the turmoil to settle old scores with rivals. As many as 100 people disappeared, taken from their homes by gunmen wearing ski masks or Arab scarves. Many of them haven't been seen since. All this was devastating for a city that relies heavily on commerce and visits by religious pilgrims to the tombs of two Shiite Muslim saints. |