Snow falls on Baghdad for first time in memory

Reuters ^ | Fri Jan 11, 2008 1:45am EST

[james500]

Snow fell on Baghdad on Friday for the first time in memory, and delighted residents declared it an omen of peace.

"It is the first time we've seen snow in Baghdad," said 60-year-old Hassan Zahar. "We've seen sleet before, but never snow. I looked at the faces of all the people, they were astonished," he said.

"A few minutes ago, I was covered with snowflakes. In my hair, on my shoulders. I invite all the people to enjoy peace, because the snow means peace," he said.

Traffic policeman Murtadha Fadhil, huddling under a balcony to keep dry, declared the snow "a new sign of the new Iraq."

"It's a sign of hope. We hope Iraqis will purify their hearts and politicians will work for the prosperity of all Iraqis."

[JennysCool]

Wow ... Just plain so great!

Oh! Happy New Year!

[cherry]

peace in abundance here in the state of Washington,too.

[Allegra]

I wish the swirling flakes had come out in the pictures; it only captured the bigger flakes.

[Allegra]

Allegra, is this the CID building, Camp Victory?

No, that's the dorm building across from mine on our FOB here in central Baghdad.

You at Victory?

[Allegra]

Happy New Year to you, FRiend!

Everything OK in the western desert?

[Yaelle]

It looks beautiful! Enjoy the excitement. Snow fell over L.A. last year briefly too. Maybe Al Gore’s plane was in the shop those days.

[bethtopaz]

Where’s global warming when you need it?! ;)

[petitfour]

Very glad you got to see such a beautiful site. After the snow comes the Spring. May it be a good one for Iraq and the United States! God bless!

[JennysCool]

We’ve got more snow than you, but yours is infinitely more memorable! Hope all goes well on your new tour of duty!

[fella]

because the snow means peace,

This does not bode well for the RATS.

[Lancey Howard]

[PVT4evr]

All the buildings look fairly similar on Victory. Big and Brown....or Small and Brown. Possibly a newer, US built structure which may have been white...but is now brown...

The only bad thing about this snow/rain, is the damned mud.

[Greenpees]

Arabs are very superstitious. This could be helpful.

[karnage]

Just saw a fantastic documentary about our warriors, “Brothers in Arms.” Incredibly moving.

[karnage]

Allegra -

Just saw a wonderful documentary about our warriors, “Brothers in Arms.” Show what wonderful heroes are serving this nation.

[VanShuyten]

Hell freezing over?

[Defiant]

Snow in Babylon...end of the world?

No, but hell has definitely frozen over.

[Allegra]

All the buildings look fairly similar on Victory. Big and Brown....or Small and Brown. Possibly a newer, US built structure which may have been white...but is now brown...

I was at Victory for six months in '04...we helped to build it. I remember when there wasn't even a DFAC on Camp Liberty.

The only bad thing about this snow/rain, is the damned mud.

Yes, the mud is awful, isn't it? This is the latest I've seen the mud show up. It usually starts around late November.

Very strange weather this winter.