DANGEROUS PROJECT IN IRAQ

While I was working in Karbala Iraq in 2013, our other project in Mosul Iraq was disbanded due to some dangerous attacks by some local groups. My company gave us a task to analyze and fix up the security measures, mobilize all site teams again, start all site activities and complete the project. I was assigned as deputy site manager.

In my first or second week in this project, I felt huge ground shaking. I thought someone attacked our camp area by bomb. I got up from my bed, went outside and realized that everybody was very afraid. We understood that it was a fight between some groups of Iraq maybe 1-2 km far from us. After explaining the situation to people, they were relaxed. That day I understood that, I had to show people that there is no any direct threat or attack to us.

I was 30 years old in 2013, I did not work in such a dangerous zone before, I had no any military experience, and I did not know how to lead people in such an environment. Both such dangerous environments teach people a lot in a short time.

I had to be brave myself first. I started to walk around the plant outside of the walls regularly to show people that it is safe. However, it was not 100% safe. Our security manager advised me to carry a gun and he gave me a gun. It was first and last time in my life that I carried a gun.

Our car was attacked, our crane was attacked, there were bullets falling near tanks sometimes, there were bombings around us. I saw first time in my life, how is the look of fear of death in the eyes of people. However, I stayed calm and I did not give up.

Being calm, taking all security measures, showing courage and determination resulted in a great achievement for us. We completed the project in 2014 without any harm to anyone.

Courage and determination can solve many problems. I improved both these values in my character in this project, which helped me a lot in future when I faced much more dangerous times in Libya.