100,000’s of Iraqis Enthusiastically Return Home

11-24-07, 10:41 PM

Iraqis who fled their country because of the war are returning by the hundreds of thousands to Iraq from Syria, Egypt and Jordan because of the improved security. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is providing the free bus and flight travel:

Residents welcome their relatives who have just returned from Syria after arriving in Baghdad November 21, 2007. REUTERS/Mahmoud Raouf Mahmoud (IRAQ)

The return is dramatic. Baghdad has been transformed:

Iraqi refugees are returning home in dramatic numbers, concluding that security in Baghdad has been transformed. Thousands have left their refuge in Syria in recent months, according to some estimates.
The Iraqi Embassy is organising a secure mass convoy from Damascus to Baghdad on Monday for refugees who want to drive back. Embassy notices went up around the Syrian capital yesterday, offering free bus and train rides home.
Saida Zaynab, the Damascus neighbourhoods once dominated by many of the 1.5 million Iraqi refugees, is almost deserted. Apartment prices are plummeting and once-crowded shops and buses are half empty. Syria has absorbed the lion’s share of Iraqi refugees since the US-led invasion and subsequent insurgency, with the rest going to Jordan, Egypt and other countries around the region. They, too, report a growing number of returnees.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...SS&attr=797093

swifty · 11-24-07, 11:20 PM

That is outstanding news.

Hopefully the trend will continue.

Sea Demon · 11-25-07, 12:19 AM

Yes. How quickly things change. Especially the Democrats tone in regards to the positive news coming from Iraq.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/us...fbz+FzZdW/3tsg

After years of minimizing our gains and successes, highlighting our challenges and losses, and false demoralizing statements coming from your run of the mill Democrat in Congress, looks like even they can no longer ignore the good news. I guess they'll just have to resort to moving the goalposts again. :hmm: A time honored tactic from them.

The WosMan · 11-25-07, 12:30 AM

Just wait, when Billary is the nominee you will see a pro-war, pro-troop Democrat party in 2008.

Iceman · 11-26-07, 01:58 AM

Wow no Skybird posts in this thread? I think Bush really just disguised illegal Mexican immigrants as Iraqis and sent them there as a ruse...

Peto · 11-26-07, 02:26 AM

I just talked to my son this week. His Company (detached) is patrolling the Iraq/Iran Border. Bt wording my question right he was able to tell me that, "Things are pretty quiet." Well--if he's bored that's the best news he could give me

!

I sure hope this indicates a sustainable trend and isn't just a lull (as the paranoid half of my mind tells me).

Konovalov · 11-26-07, 02:14 PM

Definately positive news after the earlier stuffups, mistakes and missteps.

General David Howell Petraeus was the right man for the job.

If Paul Bremer and Donald Rumsfeld had been sacked a long time ago as they should have been then Petraeus wouldn't have had such a mountainous task and more importantly perhaps so many brave soldiers and Iraqi civilians wouldn't have had to die in the first place.

I for one feel that things in Iraq are close to turning the corner for the better. However the political side of the equation has made little progress by comparison. It's still wait and see in my view.

11-26-07, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Konovalov

Definately positive news after the earlier stuffups, mistakes and missteps.

General David Howell Petraeus was the right man for the job.

If Paul Bremer and Donald Rumsfeld had been sacked a long time ago as they should have been then Petraeus wouldn't have had such a mountainous task and more importantly perhaps so many brave soldiers and Iraqi civilians wouldn't have had to die in the first place.

I for one feel that things in Iraq are close to turning the corner for the better. However the political side of the equation has made little progress by comparison. It's still wait and see in my view.

Let us not forget the contribution, or lack there of, of the Iraqis themselves. After the end of military hostilities and the establishment of a freely elected government in Iraq, some of the burden must be placed on the Iraqis. Until recently, it would seem, that responsibility was not appreciated.

Konovalov · 11-26-07, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waste gate

Let us not forget the contribution, or lack there of, of the Iraqis themselves. After the end of military hostilities and the establishment of a freely elected government in Iraq, some of the burden must be placed on the Iraqis. Until recently, it would seem, that responsibility was not appreciated.

Of course. They are not blameless. I mentioned the political side of the equation lacking serious progress. That is almost exclusively the domain of the Iraqis now.

3Jane · 11-26-07, 03:38 PM

Isn't this a little like looking through the rubble of Dresden and saying 'hey look we found an unbroken plate' :rotfl:

11-26-07, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 3Jane

Isn't this a little like looking through the rubble of Dresden and saying 'hey look we found an unbroken plate' :rotfl:

I'm not too sure what you mean 3Jane. I think its more like take responsibility for your own sh*t. I know that is a hard concept for the politically left.

Venatore · 11-28-07, 02:09 AM

I wish them all the best and I hope soon they may live in a safe environment as we Aussie's do.

11-24-07, 10:41 PM	#1
waste gate Stowaway Posts: n/a Downloads: Uploads:	100,000’s of Iraqis Enthusiastically Return Home Iraqis who fled their country because of the war are returning by the hundreds of thousands to Iraq from Syria, Egypt and Jordan because of the improved security. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki is providing the free bus and flight travel: Residents welcome their relatives who have just returned from Syria after arriving in Baghdad November 21, 2007. REUTERS/Mahmoud Raouf Mahmoud (IRAQ) The return is dramatic. Baghdad has been transformed: Iraqi refugees are returning home in dramatic numbers, concluding that security in Baghdad has been transformed. Thousands have left their refuge in Syria in recent months, according to some estimates. The Iraqi Embassy is organising a secure mass convoy from Damascus to Baghdad on Monday for refugees who want to drive back. Embassy notices went up around the Syrian capital yesterday, offering free bus and train rides home. Saida Zaynab, the Damascus neighbourhoods once dominated by many of the 1.5 million Iraqi refugees, is almost deserted. Apartment prices are plummeting and once-crowded shops and buses are half empty. Syria has absorbed the lion’s share of Iraqi refugees since the US-led invasion and subsequent insurgency, with the rest going to Jordan, Egypt and other countries around the region. They, too, report a growing number of returnees. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/new...SS&attr=797093

11-26-07, 02:26 AM	#6
Peto Ace of the Deep Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: The details of my life are quite inconsequential Posts: 1,049 Downloads: 4 Uploads: 0	I just talked to my son this week. His Company (detached) is patrolling the Iraq/Iran Border. Bt wording my question right he was able to tell me that, "Things are pretty quiet." Well--if he's bored that's the best news he could give me ! I sure hope this indicates a sustainable trend and isn't just a lull (as the paranoid half of my mind tells me). __________________ If your target has a 30 degree AOB, the range from his base course line equals the current range divided by 2.

11-26-07, 02:14 PM	#7
Konovalov Ocean Warrior Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: High Wycombe, Bucks, UK Posts: 2,811 Downloads: 9 Uploads: 0	Definately positive news after the earlier stuffups, mistakes and missteps. General David Howell Petraeus was the right man for the job. If Paul Bremer and Donald Rumsfeld had been sacked a long time ago as they should have been then Petraeus wouldn't have had such a mountainous task and more importantly perhaps so many brave soldiers and Iraqi civilians wouldn't have had to die in the first place. I for one feel that things in Iraq are close to turning the corner for the better. However the political side of the equation has made little progress by comparison. It's still wait and see in my view. __________________ "In a Christian context, sexuality is traditionally seen as a consequence of the Fall, but for Muslims, it is an anticipation of paradise. So I can say, I think, that I was validly converted to Islam by a teenage French Jewish nudist." Sheikh Abdul-Hakim Murad (Timothy Winter)

11-26-07, 03:38 PM	#10
3Jane Ace of the Deep Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: York. Northern England. Posts: 1,004 Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Isn't this a little like looking through the rubble of Dresden and saying 'hey look we found an unbroken plate' :rotfl: __________________ Fate opposes me in vitality and morality, forced ever onward, burdened, always in shackles. So this very moment, without tarrying, pluck the quivering strings. Because fate punishes the one who plays, all lament with me. (http://hosted.filefront.com/KatherineRowan)

11-24-07, 11:20 PM	#2
swifty Soundman Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: S. Florida Posts: 141 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	That is outstanding news. Hopefully the trend will continue.

11-25-07, 12:19 AM	#3
Sea Demon Ocean Warrior Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: USA Posts: 2,552 Downloads: 33 Uploads: 0	Yes. How quickly things change. Especially the Democrats tone in regards to the positive news coming from Iraq. http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/25/us...fbz+FzZdW/3tsg After years of minimizing our gains and successes, highlighting our challenges and losses, and false demoralizing statements coming from your run of the mill Democrat in Congress, looks like even they can no longer ignore the good news. I guess they'll just have to resort to moving the goalposts again. :hmm: A time honored tactic from them.

11-25-07, 12:30 AM	#4
The WosMan Watch Officer Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: OH Posts: 332 Downloads: 88 Uploads: 0	Just wait, when Billary is the nominee you will see a pro-war, pro-troop Democrat party in 2008.

11-26-07, 01:58 AM	#5
Iceman Ace of the Deep Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Mesa AZ, Arizona, USA Posts: 1,253 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Wow no Skybird posts in this thread? I think Bush really just disguised illegal Mexican immigrants as Iraqis and sent them there as a ruse...

11-28-07, 02:09 AM	#12
Venatore Admiral Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Australia:- Sydney Posts: 2,049 Downloads: 68 Uploads: 0	I wish them all the best and I hope soon they may live in a safe environment as we Aussie's do.