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Jed Boal reportingWhile coalition forces try to gain control of Basra, an Iraqi native in Salt Lake City watches that battle with great anxiety.
His family remains in the besieged city, desperately hoping their freedom is near.
Ali Almaliky fled Iraq for his life after Desert Storm, and hasn't been home since. He was shot in the neck during an uprising.
At that time, many Iraqis tried to overthrow Saddam. He hopes they will succeed this time.
Coalition forces today tightened the noose Basra, Iraq's second largest city. Many citizens flee. Others reportedly fight under the threat of death from Saddam loyalists.
Such resistence surprises Ali Almalicky. He thought the battle would be brief. But he thinks many Iraqis question America's commitment, and wonder why it took so long to act against Saddam.
Ali Almalicky/Iraqi Native: "YOU KNOW HOW BRUTAL HE IS. HE NEVER STOPPED HIS BRUTALITY. THAT QUESTION IS GOING ON IN THE MINDS OF THE IRAQIS, I ASSUME."
Almalicky was part of the uprising against Saddam 12 years ago. He was shot in the neck, when the rebellion was put down. He fled to the border with two brother and was given asylum in the U-S. His parents and seven siblings remain in Basra.
Ali Almalicky/Iraqi Native: "THEY WANT TO SEE SADDAM GONE. THEY'RE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEE THE INVASION OF BAGHDAD FOR REAL AND TO SEE SADDAM HANGED....SEE SADDAM KILLED."
Almalicky says Saddam's brutality has touched all Iraqi families. He has no doubts the Iraqi President has weapons of mass destruction, and will likely use them.
In Basra, his family remains in the line of fire. He remains confident in the peaceful future of Iraq.
Ali Almalicky/Iraqi Native: "TAKE SADDAM OUT...BRING IN A DEMOCRATIC GOVERNMENT...AND IRAQ WILL BE STABLE. AS LONG AS THERE ARE MULTI-PARTIES...EVERYBODY SPEAKS HIS MIND, IT WILL BE PEACEFUL, DEFINITELY."
He was a Geologist in Iraq and even served two years in the army. If he went home today, he would be shot at the border.
Once Saddam is overthrown, he's not sure he'll go back to Iraq. He says he's built his life here over the past 11 years.
