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Baghdad:
American soldiers on patrol never know whether they are facing
welcoming youngsters or hostile militants.
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Baghdad:
the checkpoint at the 14th of July bridge is the main entry into
the area of the former presidential palace which is now the most important
US base in Baghdad. Top
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Baghdad:
patrols with 2 or 3 Humvee trucks are the daily routine for most
soldiers. It's a risky job as these convoys are easy targets for anti-American
militants. This soldier admitted to having killed Iraqi civilians caught
in a crossfire with fedayeen.
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Baghdad:
American soldiers are visiting a local hospital to ask for names
of shot and wounded people. It's an indicator of crime levels in the area
- as well as a means of collecting information on the people with guns.
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Baghdad:
interview with an Iraqi translator. One of his colleagues was
recently accused of being a traitor and shot dead. So this translator
takes no chances. He wears a mask in order to protect his identity.
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Baghdad:
young
Iraqi men between 20 and 40 are signing up to become members of the Iraqi
Civil Defense Corps (ICDC). They are given new AK-47 rifles and trained
by the US Army to accompany US troop patrols.
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Baghdad:
Interview
with a new ICDC member. He believes he is working for his country by helping
to improve the security situation. His family is afraid but he still wants
to do the job.
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Baghdad:
Interview
with Major Sossaman. He explains the concept of the ICDC. It's a first
step to put the responsibility for security into Iraqi hands.
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Baghdad:
On
a day-off, soldiers frolic in the swimming pool in the remains of a
former Saddam Palace, which now serves as a military base. The soldiers
are never allowed to leave their base during their time off.
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Baghdad:
the
view from a bunker at the gate of an US base. Behind their sand-bags and
razor-wire, the 'liberators of the Iraqi people' see themselves more and
more as being trapped in their bases as both guards and prisoners.
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