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BAGHDAD — A security pact that would govern the existence of US troops in Iraq after the expiry of the UN mandate late this year has become a contentious issue between the two sides.

The voice of ordinary Iraqis has not been heard.

IslamOnline.net has interviewed several citizens to listen to their take on the controversial deal.

Hussiniyah Mohammad, 70, widow and retired

I don’t know what this pact is about and I’m not interested either.

Everyday our politicians and the US troops come out with new agreements and never seek a solution to our problems.

I prefer to stay away from all these lies.

Whatever the decision is, it won’t benefit ordinary Iraqis.

The lawmakers will decide what is good for their pockets and not for Iraqis so my opinion won’t change anything inside my country and it is better to remain silent before I become the new victims of this infinite war.

Whatever the decision is, it won’t benefit ordinary Iraqis.

My son was killed by US troops and my husband by the Iraqi army. So for me, both of them are destroying our lives.

One day God will impose his pact of loyalty in our country and make all these people pay for what they have done to us.

Faisal Azad, 52, shopkeeper

I practically don’t know about it.

One thing It now for sure is that the government must force the Americans out from Iraq and stop paying attention to such issues while hundreds of Iraqis are dying countrywide due to bad sanitation, dirty water and deteriorated health system.

There are many other topics that should be taken care of. Issues that represent the live of millions of Iraqis and because of that fanatic politics are being forgotten.

This pact is something too small to be given importance when you see your children asking for food and you cannot afford it or when you have to drive them to hospital because they are sick caused of the environment they live.

Ahmed Abdel-Rahman, 43, teacher

This security deal is another example of US and Iraqi governments playing with us.

Although we have heard discussions concerning the final decision, we know that US forces are going to do whatever they want.

I don’t believe in it because we are tired of seeing them taking decisions without asking anyone and this one isn’t going to be different.

I agree that security in Iraq is week but I also believe that keeping Americans here won’t end violence and maybe increase it.

In my point of view, they can stay but only for one more year and leave our country to Iraqis under the supervision of the United Nations.

Ali Sarmed, 38, police officer

The Iraqi military and police are unable to take care of our security alone.

Unfortunately we have to accept the idea that US troops are requested here for a few more years.

I know most Iraqis disagree but when they see more innocent civilians dying in a civil war, they will regret asking them to leave.

The pact has many advantages and disadvantages but the only thing that has to be changed in the draft is the jurisdiction. US soldiers have to start being judged in our courts for crimes committed here.

Other than that, we have to be realistic and ask them to stay rather than leave our country so soon.

I have children and don’t want them to be the next victims of a sectarian conflict in my country.

Hassan al-Obeidi, 33, taxi-driver

I don’t know all the topics that are present in the draft; however, the most important thing that we have to go against is delays in the complete withdrawal of US military forces.

They will keep commanding our government every minute that they stay in our country and it is unfair.

I hope the parliament goes against this pact and finally be honest with all of us that after years of living under the promises the US troops will actually leave our country.

They came to end Saddam Hussein’s regime and that was done more than five years ago.

Now it is time to leave.

Faisah Hilal, 29, housekeeper

My husband told me that this pact has to do with the withdrawal of US troops but I don’t know very well what benefits it can bring to us.

I got used to seeing Americans everywhere in Iraq and if they stay one, two or three years more it won’t make any difference from what we have seen until now.

One day they will leave. But I’m scared that when it happens, Sunnis and Shiites will fight over power and many Iraqis will die.

God knows what is better to us and I’m sure He will put His hand over the politicians to find a good decision.

Most of us aren’t worried about it because we have more important things to look after like our children’ health, food and jobs that most Iraqis don’t have and few people are trying to help.

Source: What Security Pact? Iraqis Ask - IslamOnline.net - News By  Afif Sarhan

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