Iraqi native-turned-American citizen says US should stay out of Iraq


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SALT LAKE CITY — One man in Salt Lake City who works in the same building as KSL News, has a unique perspective on the renewed violence and chaos in Iraq.

Firas Al Ebadi was born in Iraq in 1978 and served in Saddam Hussein's Republican Guard. He later joined the U.S. Army and is now a U.S. citizen.

"I was born and raised there. I know everything about that," he said while watching video of fighting in his birthland. "I wish I could go there and help and do something."

As the violence escalates, the battle lines become more confusing, the humanitarian crisis grows, and more Iraqis die. Right now, Al Ebadi believes the United States needs to stay out of Iraq.

"My heart is in Iraq," he said. "My feelings are with the U.S. not to get involved and lose more lives when it is not worth it."

Al Ebadi never knew peace growing up in Iraq. His country went to war with Iran when he was 2 years old, and then were involved in two wars with the U.S. and its allies.

Al Ebadi expected to die in battle as a young man, but he survived the American push into Iraq a decade ago and surrendered. He translated for U.S. troops, guided them through dangerous areas, and eventually joined the U.S. Army.

Chaffetz criticizes White House response to Iraq turmoil
by Becky Bruce

SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah congressman says both Republicans and Democrats are becoming increasingly frustrated with the situation in Iraq and President Barack Obama's response to it.

Representative Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, said he has been to the U.S. embassy in Iraq where most personnel were evacuated Monday and Marines and soldiers beefed up security.

"It is a fortress. It is large. It is very well-protected," Chaffetz said on KSL Newsradio's "Doug Wright Show," adding, "I think that shows how dire the situation is."

Chaffetz describes the crumbling peace in Iraq as "very preventable," saying there were warning signs about the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria terror group.

"ISIS and this movement has been forming for a long period of time," Chaffetz said.

What is most frustrating, the congressman said, is how long it took for the White House to consider ISIS a threat.

"It was just a few days ago that the president made the comment that the world is the safest it's been in a long time," Chaffetz said. "It is not a very safe place right now. We've got these flare-ups all across the globe."

Chaffetz pointed to the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq in 2011 as a key moment in the development toward today's events, saying we no longer have the intelligence from the ground that we once did.

Email: bbruce@ksl.com

Al Ebadi says he nearly died for both countries.

"My heart is bleeding for what is happening in Iraq, and my feelings are with my fellow U.S. Army brothers," he said.

Al Ebadi fears for his birthland, and his parents and five brothers who still live in Baghdad. He thinks they're OK, but communication is getting more difficult each day. He'd like to get his parents out of Iraq but sees little opportunity for that anytime soon.

"I told my brother, 'You should go do shopping for a month ahead — water, food, medications — because no one knows what's going to happen next.'"

Al Ebadi has lived in the U.S. for five years. Last month, he proudly became a U.S. citizen. At that time, he thought a visit home might be possible within a few years. Now, friends tell him the fighting is within miles of the center of Baghdad.

"As a U.S. citizen, not as an Iraqi local, I don't think we should get involved," he said; and he doesn't think the U.S. will.

"Unless ISIS (Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) takes over, in this case you will see infantry guys on the ground and you will see airstrikes," Al Ebadi said.

He thinks U.S. involvement would lead to a deadly replay of the last decade. "Even Iraqis don't know who's fighting who," he said.

Al Ebadi said he's had anxiety attacks this past week, for the first time in his life, because of the stress surrounding his family in Iraq. He struggles to shake off the constant thoughts of war.

"I believe within the next two weeks — maximum — we will have a very clear image of what's going on," he said.

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