Discussion
LaurasOtherHalf said:
First of all, big respect for doing what you've done there-there should be more recognition for what volunteers do over there.
But one thing I have to ask (though you don't have to answer), disregarding the huge humanitarian thing that you've done what do you actually think of what's happening down there and the fellow man that you were were working for?
Are the Iraqi army the same one we've fought against in previous conflicts? Are some of the ISIS fighters ones that may become our allies once the political outlook inevitably changes in a few years?
I guess I'm wondering if there's a certain futility to it all over there? Is the place just destined to go from one conflict to another, with the inevitable damage to innocent civilians part and parcel of living in the region?
Interesting questions mate and ones I don't have the answers too!!But one thing I have to ask (though you don't have to answer), disregarding the huge humanitarian thing that you've done what do you actually think of what's happening down there and the fellow man that you were were working for?
Are the Iraqi army the same one we've fought against in previous conflicts? Are some of the ISIS fighters ones that may become our allies once the political outlook inevitably changes in a few years?
I guess I'm wondering if there's a certain futility to it all over there? Is the place just destined to go from one conflict to another, with the inevitable damage to innocent civilians part and parcel of living in the region?
I found the guys I was working with to be really nice people. I was embedded with the ERD which is the special forces element and as such 'professional' soldiers as oppose to national service guys who were not necessarily there voluntarily. They were engaging and I never felt in danger when around them (and their guns!)
Iraq as a nation have been at war on and off for 20+. They fought Iran, then the two gulf wars and now against ISIS. My understanding of ISIS is they are a random collection of people from a variety of countries with the same ideology. If they aren't stopped they will spread their poison. Think it clear from today's events in Philippines they are a threat to normal people. Thankfully the end appears near for this conflict but who knows what ISIS will do to survive? Nothing is off limits for them.
The destruction in Mosul was mind blowing. I can't see how it can ever get back to a fully functioning society/city. If it was the UK even with our finances and workforce it would take years. I can't see it ever being 'normal' again.
thainy77 said:
Good work OP, i spent three years working in Iraq ending in mid-2014. I split my time between Erbil and Basra with multiple trips passed Mosul when travelling to oil rigs, nothing as admirable as you.
I decided to leave as ISIS were moving in and bombs started going off about 500m from our office in Erbil. The Kurds are great people.
My last trip was 2013, shortly after ISIS moved into our Iraq location and told our people they had 24hrs to leave... since that date our old offices have been their HQI decided to leave as ISIS were moving in and bombs started going off about 500m from our office in Erbil. The Kurds are great people.
I too really enjoyed Erbil, it was relatively safe when I was there so we used to go sightseeing and for a coffee in the centre, always had an armed guard with us but just one, and he acted more as a tour guide than a guard.
Some of our longer term staff there remain closely in contact with the Kurdish friends we made, I hope to be able to return one day.
Fair play to you OP, I got shot at once, but in general lived fairly comfortably... not sure I could do what you did.
K50 DEL said:
My last trip was 2013, shortly after ISIS moved into our Iraq location and told our people they had 24hrs to leave... since that date our old offices have been their HQ
I too really enjoyed Erbil, it was relatively safe when I was there so we used to go sightseeing and for a coffee in the centre, always had an armed guard with us but just one, and he acted more as a tour guide than a guard.
Some of our longer term staff there remain closely in contact with the Kurdish friends we made, I hope to be able to return one day.
Fair play to you OP, I got shot at once, but in general lived fairly comfortably... not sure I could do what you did.
Who were you working for? i drove a Nissan Patrol around town by myself and regularly went out on the piss on a Thursday and Friday night. We only had guards when outside of the checkpoints.I too really enjoyed Erbil, it was relatively safe when I was there so we used to go sightseeing and for a coffee in the centre, always had an armed guard with us but just one, and he acted more as a tour guide than a guard.
Some of our longer term staff there remain closely in contact with the Kurdish friends we made, I hope to be able to return one day.
Fair play to you OP, I got shot at once, but in general lived fairly comfortably... not sure I could do what you did.
thainy77 said:
K50 DEL said:
My last trip was 2013, shortly after ISIS moved into our Iraq location and told our people they had 24hrs to leave... since that date our old offices have been their HQ
I too really enjoyed Erbil, it was relatively safe when I was there so we used to go sightseeing and for a coffee in the centre, always had an armed guard with us but just one, and he acted more as a tour guide than a guard.
Some of our longer term staff there remain closely in contact with the Kurdish friends we made, I hope to be able to return one day.
Fair play to you OP, I got shot at once, but in general lived fairly comfortably... not sure I could do what you did.
Who were you working for? i drove a Nissan Patrol around town by myself and regularly went out on the piss on a Thursday and Friday night. We only had guards when outside of the checkpoints.I too really enjoyed Erbil, it was relatively safe when I was there so we used to go sightseeing and for a coffee in the centre, always had an armed guard with us but just one, and he acted more as a tour guide than a guard.
Some of our longer term staff there remain closely in contact with the Kurdish friends we made, I hope to be able to return one day.
Fair play to you OP, I got shot at once, but in general lived fairly comfortably... not sure I could do what you did.
Was generally based in Erbil as our concession areas didn't really have anything, used to stay at either the Tangram or the Rotana, was always fun playing "spot the stolen UK car" on the roads there!
RC1807 said:
@ K50DEL: always surprises me how many O&G chaps there are on PH!
Sadly ex O+G at the moment, previous employment ended upon the death of the owner and closure of the company, sadly coinciding with the worst downturn in the industry for many years.... no call for ICT types it seems, still actively looking though!You're industry as well I assume?
K50 DEL said:
Sadly ex O+G at the moment, previous employment ended upon the death of the owner and closure of the company, sadly coinciding with the worst downturn in the industry for many years.... no call for ICT types it seems, still actively looking though!
You're industry as well I assume?
Ah, sorry You're industry as well I assume?
No, not me - I buy banking services for cash and securities in foreign lands
Ruskie said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
First of all, big respect for doing what you've done there-there should be more recognition for what volunteers do over there.
But one thing I have to ask (though you don't have to answer), disregarding the huge humanitarian thing that you've done what do you actually think of what's happening down there and the fellow man that you were were working for?
Are the Iraqi army the same one we've fought against in previous conflicts? Are some of the ISIS fighters ones that may become our allies once the political outlook inevitably changes in a few years?
I guess I'm wondering if there's a certain futility to it all over there? Is the place just destined to go from one conflict to another, with the inevitable damage to innocent civilians part and parcel of living in the region?
Interesting questions mate and ones I don't have the answers too!!But one thing I have to ask (though you don't have to answer), disregarding the huge humanitarian thing that you've done what do you actually think of what's happening down there and the fellow man that you were were working for?
Are the Iraqi army the same one we've fought against in previous conflicts? Are some of the ISIS fighters ones that may become our allies once the political outlook inevitably changes in a few years?
I guess I'm wondering if there's a certain futility to it all over there? Is the place just destined to go from one conflict to another, with the inevitable damage to innocent civilians part and parcel of living in the region?
I found the guys I was working with to be really nice people. I was embedded with the ERD which is the special forces element and as such 'professional' soldiers as oppose to national service guys who were not necessarily there voluntarily. They were engaging and I never felt in danger when around them (and their guns!)
Iraq as a nation have been at war on and off for 20+. They fought Iran, then the two gulf wars and now against ISIS. My understanding of ISIS is they are a random collection of people from a variety of countries with the same ideology. If they aren't stopped they will spread their poison. Think it clear from today's events in Philippines they are a threat to normal people. Thankfully the end appears near for this conflict but who knows what ISIS will do to survive? Nothing is off limits for them.
The destruction in Mosul was mind blowing. I can't see how it can ever get back to a fully functioning society/city. If it was the UK even with our finances and workforce it would take years. I can't see it ever being 'normal' again.
As others have said, I 100% respect your decision to go back and commend you on the inevitable hard work and sacrifices you'll make. But, and it's a big but I'd love to know the difference between what you and your comrades do and feel and what your opposing numbers feel once they're convinced to fight for ISIS.
Brothers In Arms.
irocfan said:
indeed - safe travels
Just came across this thread......HUGE respect for you, I cannot imagine what it must be like dealing with some of the terrible injuries, especially of innocent children......absolutely heartbreaking. It takes a real special person to do this sort of thing and selflessly risking your own life for others. It's a pity that people like you do not get more of the recognition you rightfully deserve. Stay safe & good luck in your tremendous work.I work in CT and C-RCIED and have recently been reading quite deeply into some of the wider barbarism committed by daesh throughout The ME and into SE Asia. Their brutality is utterly shocking and doesn't just stop at Syria and Iraq. What is reported in the news doesn't even scratch the surface.
May you have gods speed OP and may you save as many innocent souls as you possibly can.
May you have gods speed OP and may you save as many innocent souls as you possibly can.
schmalex said:
I work in CT and C-RCIED and have recently been reading quite deeply into some of the wider barbarism committed by daesh throughout The ME and into SE Asia. Their brutality is utterly shocking and doesn't just stop at Syria and Iraq. What is reported in the news doesn't even scratch the surface.
May you have gods speed OP and may you save as many innocent souls as you possibly can.
Having witnessed it first hand it's pretty shocking. There are no rules of engagement with ISIS. Any group who indiscriminately use sniper fire on women and children fleeing has no limit to their barbarity.May you have gods speed OP and may you save as many innocent souls as you possibly can.
Thank you for the kind messages. I will try and get some further pictures if anyone is interested?
Ruskie said:
Having witnessed it first hand it's pretty shocking. There are no rules of engagement with ISIS. Any group who indiscriminately use sniper fire on women and children fleeing has no limit to their barbarity.
Thank you for the kind messages. I will try and get some further pictures if anyone is interested?
Definitely, stay safe Ruskie.Thank you for the kind messages. I will try and get some further pictures if anyone is interested?
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