WORKING IN IRAQ

It is logical to divide Iraq into 4 parts. Kurdistan, North Iraq, Middle Iraq and South Iraq where mostly Sia people lives. I have been in all these parts of Iraq between 2010 and 2014.

Kurdistan is the most peaceful part of Iraq and they are being governed in a federal system. People who goes there does not understand it is a part of Iraq actually. Official language is Kurdish and they use their own flags. There are a lot of nice shopping centers in Arbil. Ankawa, one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world is located in Arbil where local Christians live peacefully there nowadays. Sulaymaniyah is also very modern city. As a result, Kurdistan region is a place that any person from any culture or any religion can live easily and can walk in streets even at night safely. I really enjoyed working and living in Arbil between 2010 and 2011. I am sure it is better now.

Karbala was the second city I worked in Iraq. My company asked me if I prefer Karbala in South Iraq or Mosul located in North Iraq. Most of the people think Sia Part (South Iraq) is dangerous but it is not indeed, so I selected Karbala that time. Karbala and Najaf are very historical places especially for Muslim People. Karbala is Makkah of Sunni People. Every year, millions of people walk from different cities or airports to Karbala in a certain time which is called Arbaeen Walk which is a religious ritual for the commemoration of death of the grandson of Prophet Mohammad. Najaf is also another important City for Sia people where Ali (cousin of Prophet Mohammad) was killed. The largest cemetery of World is located in Najaf. Babel Tower and Hanging Gardens of Babylon are also very close to Karbala. As a result, South Iraq is very historical place but you cannot have a social life there. Most of people lives in secured camps near work areas.

Nineveh near Mosul was the third city I worked in Iraq. There were some dangerous issues in that project, most of the people left the project due to security reasons. I was one of the volunteers who wanted to go Nineveh and start the project again after taking security measures. When I heard and felt a bomb in my life first time, I thought it was very close to our camp area. But I learned that it was maybe 1 km far from us. People gets used to shaking effect of such bombs which are used by local groups to each other or to army. I understood how the death fear looks like in the eyes of people when someone attacked us with mortar bombs just outside of the gate because we brought some cranes from other cities. It was very common for us to collect bullets in the tank area. Local groups were shooting to each other, some bullets were hitting on our tanks and dropping. It was really very difficult for me to motivate people not to leave project. But such difficult moments teach people a lot and I was successful to persuade people to continue their work. After we completed project in 2014, ISIS captured that power plant unfortunately. Now, all tanks are damaged and power plant does not work. I don’t suggest anyone to go and work in such areas without serious security measures.

Baghdad is located in Middle Iraq. It is very historical city. I did not work there but I visited city even though I was suggested not to go city especially religious places. You can easily see remains of war in each corner of Baghdad. It was center of World which contained biggest library of World hundred years ago, but now it is a dangerous and poor city. The conflict between Sia and Sunni groups may result in a bomb attack anytime there. Baghdad is also another dangerous part of Iraq and I don’t suggest anyone to go and work without serious security measures.

In summary, be careful and ask about security measures if you will visit or work in Iraq. You can go Kurdistan with no hesitation. South Iraq is also not bad but no social life. Other parts are dangerous and gives you unsocial life. I was very lucky to have such experience without getting injured and without getting any harm to any of my friends. I learned how to be a leader in dangerous zones and in difficult times. When the life of people are commend to our hands, we have to be very careful in such dangerous places and take all necessary security measures.