WORLD REPORT EDITION    TOP STORY

April 18, 2003

An Era Ends in Iraq

As Baghdad falls, Iraqis look to the future

With bare hands, sledgehammers and, finally, the aid of U.S. Marines, Iraqis tore down a 40-foot statue of Saddam Hussein last Wednesday. The fallen statue, which had towered over a square in central Baghdad, symbolized for many the end of Hussein's rule. For the first time in decades, Iraqis dared to dream of a country that was not ruled by fear.

As U.S. tanks rolled into Baghdad, joyous Iraqis cheered in the streets. "Bush good! America good!" some shouted. Women and children gave flowers to U.S. soldiers. Men wept and rushed to thank the Americans. "I'm 49, but I never lived a single day. Only now will I start living," said one man.

But as evening fell in Baghdad, it became clear that a new life for Iraqis hadn't quite begun. Bursts of gunfire and explosions proved the war wasn't over. As of Friday, fighting continued in many parts of Iraq.

THE SEARCH IS ON

Allied forces also continued to search the country. They were looking for seven Americans being held as prisoners of war. They also sought hidden weapons of mass destruction and Saddam Hussein himself.

The location of Hussein, his sons and his closest advisors remained a mystery. Rumors spread that Hussein had fled to his birthplace, Tikrit. There, soldiers loyal to the leader prepared to make a last stand.

Other reports had Hussein and his sons either dead or hiding in neighboring Syria. "I don't know if they are alive, and I don't know if they're dead," said U.S. Major General Gene Renuart.

City by city, allied soldiers continued to overcome Hussein's forces. On Thursday, Kurdish fighters, working with U.S. support, took over Kirkut, a northern oil center. On Friday, another northern city, Mosul, fell.

WHO'S IN CHARGE?

Without Hussein and his security forces to police cities, much of Iraq fell into lawlessness. Most Iraqis are desperately poor, and many went on looting sprees. People stripped tires off trucks. They stole chairs, office equipment, computers, anything!

In the coming weeks, U.S. and British forces will help Iraqis re-establish order. For now, U.S. Army General Tommy Franks is in charge. Reporting to Franks is retired General Jay Garner. He will organize aid and the rebuilding of roads, water supplies and cities. He will also help the people create a new system of choosing leaders.

Already, U.S. and British forces are putting Iraqis in control of their future. In the city of Basra, a local tribal leader was put in charge. "Iraqis are plenty capable of running Iraq, and that is what is going to happen," said President George W. Bush.

A DEEPLY DIVIDED COUNTRY

Several Iraqis who fled Hussein's government now want to move into the key leadership roles. But no single leader from any group has the support of all Iraqis.

Iraq is deeply divided by ethnic and religious differences. At least 75% of Iraqis are members of one of the country's 150 tribes. But aside from tribal loyalties, Iraqis belong to three large ethnic and religious groups: Kurds, Sunni Muslim Arabs and Shi'ite Muslim Arabs.

Kurds, who make up 17% of Iraq's population, have been fighting Hussein for decades. In 1988, he unleashed a poison-gas attack that killed tens of thousands of Kurds.

Sunnis make up 20% of Iraq's population. Hussein is a Sunni. Throughout his 24-year rule, he oppressed Kurds and the Shi'ite majority, who are 60% of the population.

Garner has said he will judge the success of his work by how quickly he can turn power back to the Iraqis. He hopes that it might take only 90 days. That is also the hope of many Iraqis, who are eager for a brighter future to begin.

A HELPING HAND FOR IRAQ'S PEOPLE

While many celebrated in Iraq last week, others had more urgent concerns. They lined up to get food and water. War has made an already hungry nation even needier. The United Nations says about $ 720 million in relief supplies are on their way to Iraq. The U.S. government alone is providing $ 570 million worth of food to Iraq's 23 million people. But fighting and disorder have slowed down aid deliveries.

On Thursday, U.S. Marines in Nasiriyah, Iraq, gave out yellow bags of rice, beans and other food. "Our goal is to give it to the most needy," says Captain Pete McAleer. The Marines set up temporary water-treatment facilities to provide safe drinking water. The military also restored power and water to some areas.

http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/magazines/story/0,6277,443289,00.html