In another interview the previous day, a wounded fighter told United Press International about the role of the foreigners: He was wounded helping them and had to be evacuated to a friend’s house in Baghdad.
Calling himself “Abu Freedom” or “Father of Freedom” — a wry joke pointed at the Americans — the 20-year old fighter was hit while trying to save two Syrians that had been fighting with his men, also in the Army of Mohammed. ...
When asked why he fought, Abu Freedom is clear.
“Because I hate the Americans and hate the invaders,” he says. “I don’t want to see Americans in charge of my country.”
In the other house on Monday, Ahmed is more eloquent on how the fighting can end and peace can come to Iraq.
“God willing Bush will fall down by the hands of Fallujah,” he says, combining military and political rhetoric. “If John Kerry wins the election and withdraws the Americans troops from Iraq, and maybe just leaves a few in bases, then we will not fight. But Bush we will always fight.”