Sleepy Iraqi Town Becomes a War Zone

[Barrett808]

Sleepy Iraqi Town Becomes a War Zone
By TAREK AL-ISSAWI
Associated Press Writer
February 28, 2004, 8:23 AM EST

YOUSEFIAH, Iraq -- For Waleed Shalal, postwar life has become a daily nightmare. The 52-year-old Iraqi lawyer divides his time between comforting his children and staying out of harm's way, as U.S. troops trade blows with insurgents in this once-tranquil town just south of Baghdad.

Residents say this was a quiet town, 15 miles south of Baghdad, until paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division set up shop in a meatpacking plant overlooking the town's main highway in May.

The U.S. base became the target of frequent attacks by guerrillas that have caused few casualties but prompted sharp responses from the Americans and terrified the Iraqis.

"The fighters attack with mortars or ambush them, and the Americans respond with massive firepower. It's a nightmare," Shalal said.

...

Abu Yousef said some villagers sympathize with the fighters, and while they might not provide them with help, they don't report them to the Americans either. "If this continues much longer, many people will be active fighters. The Americans are not welcome here."

(more)

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/world/wire/sns-ap-iraq-tranquility-shattered,0,131565.story?coll=sns-ap-world-headlines