Thursday, March 20, 2008

Iraq war completes five years with no end in sight

It was on March 19, 2003 that the United States invaded Iraq on the pretext that Saddam Hussein had piled up weapons of mass destruction. Five years later, the war is still on with no end in sight.

Tens of thousands of Iraqis have been killed so far and millions displaced. Nearly 4,000 US soldiers, 175 British troops and 134 soldiers from other countries have been killed. For more details, see FACTBOX.

Kerala is a minor beneficiary of the war. Contractors engaged by the US army to provide various services have recruited people from the State. However, sympathy for the Iraqi people has run high throughout the war. There were widespread protests when Saddam Hussein was executed after a sham trial.

There were anti-war demonstrations at several places in the US on the fifth anniversary.

The official US version of war related developments comes to us regularly through the Western news agencies.

For a Black American viewpoint, visit Black Voices site.

The official Chinese news agency Xinhua distributed today a commentary by Ghassan Ibrahim, who reports for it from Baghdad. It can be accessed here.

No comments: