Discussion
Just returned from my second trip to Iraq working in a trauma stabilisation point. I was based near Hawija which is being reported as being liberated in the last couple of days. I will attach a few pictures from my trip. Due to the independence vote in Kurdistan the Iraq army have suspended all international flights out of Erbil, consequently I have just had a 4 flight, 40 hour trip home!!
My particular highlight this trip was arriving at a new base for the TSP next to a family of 9. They had been under IS control for 3 years and had literally being liberated 3 hours before our arrival. We gave the kids, attention, biscuits and make shift toys. They had never seen a westerner let alone one that smiled and played with them! The men were clean shaved for the first time in 3 years. An example of the misery inflicted by IS was the family had no soap for 14 months. A single bar was going for $15, a fortune for a poor family. The children had skin complaints from poor hygiene.
One of the TSP house we used. We moved 5 times in total due to chasing the ever moving front line!
My particular highlight this trip was arriving at a new base for the TSP next to a family of 9. They had been under IS control for 3 years and had literally being liberated 3 hours before our arrival. We gave the kids, attention, biscuits and make shift toys. They had never seen a westerner let alone one that smiled and played with them! The men were clean shaved for the first time in 3 years. An example of the misery inflicted by IS was the family had no soap for 14 months. A single bar was going for $15, a fortune for a poor family. The children had skin complaints from poor hygiene.
One of the TSP house we used. We moved 5 times in total due to chasing the ever moving front line!
We explored a school that IS had destroyed. Here was a room they had burned books they deemed unsuitable.
They also left pro IS graffiti on the board.
Bed was mostly on the roof as we were out of mortar range.
One of the locals!
I have a few images of bad injuries and the stories behind them. I might put them up if people are interested in that side of it?
All in all I had another incredible experience, I find the Iraqi people to be warm and hospitable. They are very grateful for the help.
They also left pro IS graffiti on the board.
Bed was mostly on the roof as we were out of mortar range.
One of the locals!
I have a few images of bad injuries and the stories behind them. I might put them up if people are interested in that side of it?
All in all I had another incredible experience, I find the Iraqi people to be warm and hospitable. They are very grateful for the help.
citizensm1th said:
Glad to see you got back ok, nice one
what was the on the ground reaction to the kurdish vote?
Nervous. It’s bubbling under. I believe Baghdad banned the Kurdish politicians from entering the national parliament. I can see a scrap brewing based around Kirkup. It’s a city responsible for half of Iraq oil production and Home to 1m Kurds. It’s under Iraq government control though and is clearly an important economic and strategic place.what was the on the ground reaction to the kurdish vote?
Ruskie said:
Nervous. It’s bubbling under. I believe Baghdad banned the Kurdish politicians from entering the national parliament. I can see a scrap brewing based around Kirkup. It’s a city responsible for half of Iraq oil production and Home to 1m Kurds. It’s under Iraq government control though and is clearly an important economic and strategic place.
i kinda had a forlorn hope that they would be able to agree something with out fighting.very proud of people like yourself though chap
citizensm1th said:
Glad to see you got back ok, nice one
what was the on the ground reaction to the kurdish vote?
Nervous. It’s bubbling under. I believe Baghdad banned the Kurdish politicians from entering the national parliament. I can see a scrap brewing based around Kirkup. It’s a city responsible for half of Iraq oil production and Home to 1m Kurds. It’s under Iraq government control though and is clearly an important economic and strategic place.what was the on the ground reaction to the kurdish vote?
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Day to day life for the majority of Iraqis in the north is improved now they are free from IS control and their brutality but as a country there is so much to be done. Mosul especially, the infrastructure is destroyed. Massive swathes of houses are either destroyed or abandoned as are the roads and bridges. The elephant in the room is Kurdistan and I can see massive issues arising once IS are chased out.I think the charity I went with are going to try and get some corporate sponsorship and try and put Health packs together. Otherwise it’s very difficult to get supplies out there.
Ruskie said:
All the while repeating"I must not trip up"
"I must not trip up"
"I must not trip up"
Fair play, the bravery of the people living through this on a daily basis is incredible.
Ruskie said:
Just received confirmation today that I’m going out to Syria in near future helping run a mobile TSP/Clinic. Fingers crossed things don’t escalate with the west as I could see it getting shelved. I will take lots of pictures and upload when I return.
Crikey chum. This is a step-up from what you did in Iraq. I'm sure you don't need me to say this, but you really need to think this through very carefully. I can't caution against this enough. CharlesdeGaulle said:
Ruskie said:
Just received confirmation today that I’m going out to Syria in near future helping run a mobile TSP/Clinic. Fingers crossed things don’t escalate with the west as I could see it getting shelved. I will take lots of pictures and upload when I return.
Crikey chum. This is a step-up from what you did in Iraq. I'm sure you don't need me to say this, but you really need to think this through very carefully. I can't caution against this enough. CharlesdeGaulle said:
Ruskie said:
Just received confirmation today that I’m going out to Syria in near future helping run a mobile TSP/Clinic. Fingers crossed things don’t escalate with the west as I could see it getting shelved. I will take lots of pictures and upload when I return.
Crikey chum. This is a step-up from what you did in Iraq. I'm sure you don't need me to say this, but you really need to think this through very carefully. I can't caution against this enough. Without Humanitarians like Ruskie the world would be a much darker place.
Please do not take this as an attack on you CDG as that is not my intention as i share your doubts about going to Syria the man has balls of steel.
Ruskie said:
CharlesdeGaulle said:
Ruskie said:
Just received confirmation today that I’m going out to Syria in near future helping run a mobile TSP/Clinic. Fingers crossed things don’t escalate with the west as I could see it getting shelved. I will take lots of pictures and upload when I return.
Crikey chum. This is a step-up from what you did in Iraq. I'm sure you don't need me to say this, but you really need to think this through very carefully. I can't caution against this enough. Gassing Station | Holidays & Travel | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff