Answering Questions About Iraq

Nov. 12, 2004 — -- ABC News Correspondent Jim Sciutto in Iraq answers your questions regarding the U.S. military efforts in the region.

Mick writes: The timing of the Fallujah effort makes me think our military was holding back during our elections to avoid having to admit how far out of control things are in Iraq. What is the perspective from over there?

Sciutto: Iraqis agree with you 100 percent. They say the timing of the U.S. election and the start of the Fallujah assault were far too close to be coincidental. Iraqis, however, tell us this is the least of their worries. The violence has become so widespread -- even more so since the assault -- that average Iraqis are very much focused on surviving -- on their way to work, if they have a job, to the market when they feel safe enough, and, for their children, on the way to school. Lots of families have organized car pools to get their kids to school relatively more safely.

Jean in Georgetown, Ind., writes: I'd like to know who the insurgents are -- are they Iraqis or from another country? And what are they fighting about? Do they want America to get out or do they want another government in power or what?

Sciutto: The insurgents are a mix. Foreigners are a minority. These tend to be young men from neighboring Arab countries who view fighting the U.S. occupation as their religious duty. There are also some Iraqis who feel the same. The larger elements, though, are former elements of the old regime, including former members of the old Iraqi army, and average Iraqis who may have opposed Saddam Hussein, but see the U.S. military as an occupying army. Many of the insurgents in Fallujah even are not hard-core terrorists, but people who've joined the cause after losing relatives to U.S. attacks -- or who simply want to defend their homes.

Their motives are different. The Islamists want a pan-Arab Islamic state, similar to what al Qaeda says it's fighting for. The old Saddam supporters are fighting for their own power and for a U.S. exit. Many Iraqis simply want the U.S. to leave.

Michael in Georgia writes: Thanks for your work over in Iraq. Should we entertain the notion that Iraq (borders drawn arbitrarily by the British) can split into Sunni, Shiite and Kurdish sectors? It seems that they can never live together; long-term... isn't "Iraq" just another "Yugoslavia" that really is better off separated?

Sciutto: There's a contrarian point of view that a divided Iraq would be more peaceful than a united one. The trouble is, Iraqi is not physically divided along ethnic lines. There are a lot of Arabs and Turkmen in the north, even though the Kurds dominate. There are Sunnis in the south, even though the Shia's dominate there. And everyone's in the middle of the country. You couldn't draw new borders tomorrow that would make sense.

Julie in Toronto writes: If it's true that at least half of the Fallujah civilians have left, where did they go and how are they surviving? If, upon their return, their homes are in ruins, will the U.S. military provide aid to rebuild or will they be left to their own devices? Thank you.

Sciutto: The U.S. military says civil affairs teams are already in Fallujah doling out cash payments to people who lost property or relatives. They are also planning to spend millions of dollars quickly to rebuild hospitals, water systems, etc. However, that kind of work can only happen if the place is secure from terror attacks. Many civilians who left went to stay with relatives, if they have them. Others ended up in tent camps outside the city. Many others remained because they couldn't afford to leave, didn't have family outside or -- and this is very common -- they didn't want to leave their homes and possessions undefended from looting.

Natasha in Illinois writes: According to your observations, does the average Iraqi seem hopeful about the budding democracy in Iraq, or are they more worried about deteriorating conditions there?

Sciutto: Iraqis are amazing people. They are frustrated. They are scared. They are angry at and disappointed in the Americans for not making the country safer or remotely prosperous. Many truly despise America -- and U.S. soldiers -- now. However, the few scientific polls that have been show that most Iraqis believe things will get better somehow. Trouble is, they increasingly feel Iraqis will do a better job bringing that about than the Americans.

Dan in Seattle writes: Sure doesn't seem from here we have popular support from civilians in Iraq, do we?

Sciutto: Iraqis have lost patience with the U.S. It is 20 months since the invasion and none of the things the U.S. has promised have come to be: safety, jobs, reconstruction, etc. The elections will be a good step if they happen, but they will not stop the insurgency. And safety is everyone's number one concern here.

Steve in Johnston City writes: Is it all bad news in Iraq or is there actually some good news that you could tell us?

Sciutto: I'd like to tell you more good news. The trouble is the problems here are so widespread, so severe, and getting worse rather than better. More Iraqis are dying from terror attacks and action by the U.S. military. Most are still unemployed. Reconstruction has stopped almost completely because of the security situation. Iraqis constantly tell me how can I be happy when I'm worried I won't survive -- or my kids won't survive -- the day? That is what occupies Iraqis' minds the most.

There are bits of good news. The Shias, who make up the majority of Iraqis, are willing to participate in elections. The radical cleric Moqtada al-Saadr has told his formidable forces to participate as well. The Kurdish north is relatively peaceful and seeing some reconstruction. Arab countries are beginning to recognize the Iraqi government. These are small but hopeful steps. However, this country will not progress as long as the insurgency is so strong -- and there are no signs it is truly weakening.