I'm an Iraqi undergraduate born in 1997, living through the current Iraqi revolution against Iran influence in Iraq and I've been to the US before for a little while Ask me anything!

What is a common misconception about Iraqi people and their respective ideals?

Well I can give you a lot but there is a big misconception I saw when I was in the US, people were shocked to see how much our youth are educated and well informed about the world and how living in a third world country did not effect them or made them monsters or "dumb creatures"

Why do you feel that stereotype exist and how would you fix that issue?

Well I know for sure it's because of 2003 war etc.. Saddam was a dictator and he stayed in his chair because he made people dumb and blocked their access to information. But I'm talking about my generation the 1990s and 2000s we used the internet to its full potential and developed and educated our selves and I believe our revolution is helping to fix that we are showing the world a lesson in bravery ,leadership and peace. This why I stresses on the importance of spreading the word of our protest.

take a look to these 4 pictures Pics

How do the Iraqi people see the US, both troops and the current administration. Do they also want them out permanently or are they seen as helpful? I hope you can achieve victory over the Iranian grip. The corrupt must go! The Iraqi people have been through so much but the revolt is so important. Wishing you peace.

Thank you so much! Well for the US troops they are here with the coalition and they helped us fight ISIS I don't think we would have got back our lands and free our people without the AIR cover and backup by the US and the coalition

As for the Trump administration I'm not an American citizen so I think it'll get some of you guys angry because of my opinion.. But I will speak from IRAQI perspective he's doing a great job in (foreign affairs) especially Iraqi affairs.

The Obama administration was a black page in Iraq he literally handed over the keys of Iraq to Irani proxies..

I really don't want the battle about US politics to start because of this reply :))

I can understand your perspective and appreciate your reply. Does it seem as if ISIS will become a threat again? I don’t know know if Iraqis know that some of us Americans have been following and rooting for you since Bush invaded in 2003. One more thing: Do you consider Maliki to blame for Isis invasion of Mosul? The news can be very biased so it’s hard to get a feel for the reality.

There is always a chance for everything But no I don't think ISIS is a threat just like before, they are still targeting some of our troops until now but they are not a big threat as they were.

There is something you need to know ISIS, Irani proxies and most of the terrorist groups, they are an ideology more than gunmen, you can't fight ideology by weapons no matter how big the weapons are you can only weaken them, Iraqis know that as you see we don't fight the irani proxies by gun we are protesting peacefully with only our flag in our hands we will kill their ideology by a counter idea a peaceful idea we are losing a lot of good young men for it and we will lose more but that is the only way.

And I know that there are a lot of good people in America I've saw them and talked to them and I always tell people about them but as you know we are in a constant threat by the proxies so most of things said are said privately. And most of the things said in public we just say it to keep our lives..

As for Maliki, yes he is...

Wow, thank you so much for sharing your insights. I do understand the ideology of Isis and I admire the approach you are taking. You are right- it is the only way. It’s good to hear that the people know who is corrupt. With the proxies out of the way -at some point- I hope that justice can be served to those thieves.. Is there a viable option for the next government to actually make some progress and completing the needed reforms? Does it seem as if Al-Shukri is likely the next PM? Allawi will only uphold Iranian influence-correct?

Well there is a trust issue we don't trust the people that are nominated by Al-binaa bloc which is lead by Hadi AL-amiri a pro Iranian militia leader (badr) and Qais Khazali the leader of AAA militia which is also Iranian, So anyone that is nominated by them is one of them and our protests would achieve nothing and we will get assassinated after that for participating in the protests :/ So the situation is really sophisticated there is a nominee for the PM roll a big percentage of the protesters agree on his name is "Faiq Al Sheikh Ali" he's a liberal lawyer/politician but Iran proxies don't agree on him and he was threatened and fled to Kuwait and now I think he's in erbil :/

What is your opinion on the us drone strike that assassinated Soleimani?

Well it made a severe impact and damaged Iran proxies in a BIG WAY! No one of them ever expected this to happen so they are trying to adapt with the situation but that criminal cannot be replaced. The day when the strike got conformed it felt like we won the world cup or something each and every protester was full with joy knowing that one of the biggest Irani killing machines was put away for good.

But still.. The Irani proxies are too strong and well rooted in the government After more than 100 hundred days protesting peacefully against them and getting killed in each and every way possible and the government doesn't want to even consider them they say that we didn't kill anyone we gave orders not to shot live ammunition but as you walk in the streets you always see empty bullet shells sometimes parts of protestors brains or skills..

We are still long way from achieving a victory especially by Friday there is a huge protest by Iran proxies wanting to kick the US from the country and there is a great chance that they will try to kill some of us The situation is still blurry and we don't know what will happen next but one thing we know for sure that we will not get back until we achieve victory against them it's a life or death situation No one of our current generation the 90s and 2000s will get back until we end IRAN influence in Iraq.

In a situation where peaceful protesters are getting slaughtered in the streets, at what point do you think it is time to take up arms?

Never.. We are peaceful protesters and we will stay like that. Guns don't solve problems they'll just make another. Our lifetime was full with violence and guns and we (the current generation) know for sure that violence isn't the answer we've saw it! We head out to the streets we left our schools and universities to teach the whole word a lesson in protesting and perseverance.

Are you scared of dying from the government?

Each and every day! But freedom doesn't come for free and I'm not really afraid to die more than I'm afraid of living in a country run by lesser men with a loyalty to Iran not to there people, and those people control my life and destiny! either we live in dignity or we die trying.

What are the goals of your protest?

Well our protests is summarized my one phrase we say " We want a country" 1. A fair election process that is based on individuals not political parties which is controlled by Iran proxies. 2. An early elections based on the new election process. 3. An end to corruption, and to put the killers behind bars.

Nothing fancy we just want basic human rights!

Where did you come to in the US and what did you think of us?

What is your favorite Iraqi food, and what is your favorite food overall?

Edit: What is your favorite video game?

Well I can't give you a lot of details about my vist, because I'm currently in Iraq and it'll endanger me.. but it was in obama second term, I love the Americans you guys are friendly and easygoing, you can start a conversation with everyone without a problem and it's always interesting to hear you guys.

My favourite Iraqi meal is "chicken Maqluba" it consists of rice, chicken and vegetables My favourite meal overall as in a meal I can eat every day Is pizza :)

And for me favourite game I really liked the Witcher3 and red dead redemption II

Do you think some portion of the security forces is sympathetic to protesters? Or are they too under the thumb of Iraqi influencers?

We've been protesting peacefully and we will keep protecting peacefully until we achieve victory. The men who are on the other side (The security forces) are Iraqis too and they too want a better future for their families, some of them are just loyal to Iran and brain washed, but there are people who just do what they have to do.. We don't want to cut their heads or something. We are requesting a fair trial to each and every one how got his brothers and sisters blood on their hands. justices will be served under the law and only the law we don't want to go down to their level and assassinations..

Do you want to move away to North America? If so why, if not also why?

Well I might complete my postgraduate degree in the US, but I don't think I'll move forever I love my country and I want to help build it.

Why do some cars in Iraq have orange fenders? Saw that a lot while there.

Well if you mean a car is a certain colour like black and it has one orange fender or more orange parts it's because the car was in an accident and orange parts are cheaper because of the colour :)) so they will buy them and then paint them to the vehicle colour.

What path could lead to peace for all in the Midfle East?

Each and every war and tension in the middle east and Afghanistan is caused by Irani proxies believe me.

not th US?

No.

That answer wont go over well here. This place hates america.

I'm saying my honest opinion my friend from my own perspective <3

what is the local opinion of Iran’s attack of the Iraqi airbase housing US Troops? Does it breed fear?

Dude it's not the first They always try to fire rockets at the US embassy and Iraq bases housing US and coalition troops but they use their proxies and they keep firing missiles from the World war II so they always miss! one of the proxies missiles fall on an Iraqi house and killed a family a brother and his sister the missile was targeted at us embassy but that what will happen when you use a missile invented in 1930 :/

We really condemn these attacks we want to live normally we only want peace and a country that is controlled by us not by iran proxies..

Do you think it is better for Iraq to split into multiple country? Different ethnics in your country do not get along well, am I right?

We the people don't want that! No one of us ever think that splitting is the solution and no one of us the people have a problem with the other literally the protests are full with each and every iraqi ethnicity available! and no one of us even know what is the ethnicity or religion or sect of the other because It doesn't matter!

it's just a political game irani proxies play every time they are in a trouble or in danger and they try to show the world that we have bigger problems than the protests :/ to shift the attention while they kill and kidnap and threaten the protesters

The decision of the iraqi parliament to kick the Us troops out was made by iran proxies only! no other ethnic or even people were asked for their opinions! and they even were about 140 representative and the Council cannot be held with less than 160 representative the decision was literally Unconstitutional but they own the guns and most of the other representatives are too afraid to say something :/ they just said that they don't agree with that decision.

From what I have read many of the Kurdish Iraqies would very much like their own country.

I see a lot of you guys asking about that, this question has a long answer and I didn't feel eligible to answer this question since I'm not Kurdish my self. I went and asked some of my Kurdish friends and this is the sum of their answers:

"First of all this opinion will not represent all of the Kurdish people maybe 50% maybe more maybe less"

"Throughout history Kurdish people always wanted a country for them selves this became a more persistent need especially with the worsening situation of Iraq and economical and political problems corruption and opinion discrimination from the government and militias"

"The current revolution in Iraq made Kurdish people put aside the idea of getting their own country for now, when we see the revolution it make us hopeful for a new Iraq a country that is economically and politically stable thus Kurdistan will get better economically and politically"

" I voted Yes for the referendum of getting our own country but now I don't want that I see hope for Iraq and the current revolution if it succeeds it'll spark a huge revolution in Kurdistan against corruption"

How do you see things playing out (economy/geopolitics) for Irap this decade? Hopefully the Irapi protest gets noticed as the one in HK. Its good seeing the newer generation not stand for the old system of country running.

I wish it'll end well and we achieve victory and I wish the same for HK <3

Compared to the US, how do you guys respond to a death of a revolutionary? Do you honor them like we honor our soldiers?

Let me tell you a story about a young teenager called Omar he was shot dead by the security forces in Nasiriyah Omar

He wrote in his Facebook bio before he dies "My memory lives in each and every broken heart" ... And more if I tell you about all the stories I'll need months. So how can I repay him? what kind of honor I can give that suits his sacrifice? I can only give him my life just like he gave us his life, so that what drives us to keep pushing and protesting we will achieve victory to honor each and every one who died trying and that is the least thing we can do.

What's Iraqi food like??

It's a mix of Turkish and Arabian food with an Iraqi touch mostly vegetables, rice, meat and surely after every meal we drink cardamom tea, you should try it you can surely find an Iraqi restaurant in your country.

What are some of the must ty dishes ?? I live in Dubai and should be able to find an Iraqi place

Well you should try Iraqi Dolma and Iraqi Quzi.

Merci

de rien :)

do yall enjoy coffee over there like they do in Turkey or is it mostly tea?

Mostly tea.

What can regular working class people do to help? What influence from the US do you think is most impactful on this situation?

Well you can spread the word it's always helpful to let people know that we are trying to get a better country and end Iran influence and we are geting killed for that. And always keep in mind your decision of who you elect will effect not only the US.

As for the influence I don't really know :/ but for now I think the current administration is doing a great job Iran need to behave like a normal country and leave us to live like a normal one too! we don't want their proxies and we don't want them to keep living on our wealth while Iraq keeps getting destroyed..

1.Are the Iraqi people have a strong national identity? I heard that the only ones who call themselves "Iraqis" are iraqi jews. 2.What does the avarage protester thinks of the Iran regime? 3. What was Iraq like before Saddam?

Interesting questions 1. We love our country for real we are literally giving our lives to see it free! we go to protests caring our flag and most of the times our flag gets filled with the protesters blood after they get killed Pic I never met or talked to an Iraqi jew it's sad :/ I would really like to talk with one and hear about their opinions and stories.

1. Killers, thieves, the ones who run our own government.

2. Iraq before Saddam, hmm interesting... well obviously I wasn't born at that time :)) Saddam was a president for about 24 years I think, but before like in before 1979 I don't really know :/ , some people say it was the gold times some say it were terrible times It really depends on who you ask.

Thanks for replying that's gold. Also qanted to ask, vice news have a series of "Afganistan after US roll" and it seems that the majority of locals are unmotivated to fight the proxies. Now you are not in Afgan. But .. 1.can u resonate with most of people just tired of fighting and moght even get around with the proxies just to make their living qnd provide for the families? 2. How does the proxies wins the locals approvals? Do they try or it's just striking fear on the villages? 3. How do you fight peacfully when your enemy is well equipped and well supported?

Thanks for hosting the iama. I'm from the middle east also and hipe our children will grow in a peaceful middle east neighborhood

1. People are not tired we are still demanding our rights each and every day from the first moment that they came, many protests were held through the years but most of the people were afraid to die by those killers because if you don't die in the protests they'll just track you down and shot you dead in front of your house. The boundary of fear broke at 1/10/2019 when the proxies used snipers to shot down many of the protesters, one of my relatives got shot with a sniper bullet, he was only carrying the iraqi flag and he got a sinper bullet right in his heart that ruptured it into pieces and that moment was filmed on video by one of the protestors who was filming the live ammunition shoting and my relative just fall on the street... People who are now out in the streets from Sunni Shia arabs Kurds and from the Smaller components as well we are saying we want change we want our country "نريد وطن" this can't even be properly translated to English it's something so powerful so meaningful it can only be described in Arabic
2. They used to control by fear, by money and by using social media to change the public perception It didn't work on many people but some fall into the trap
3. The proxies are just ISIS they are an ideology before they are gunmen we fight an idea by a counter idea an idea of peace and an idea of وطن Guns will only make the matters worse it can weaken the proxies but will never kill them. We know very well that we will lose alot of protestors by doing this peacefully and we did lose alot and evey day we are losing more some days the number go for more than a dozen killed and many injured, but it's the only way people are ready to sacrifice their lives for the future of the next generation.. I remember one time a man in his mid 50s when the stakes were high and they were killing many protesters some told him to go back and save him self he said "I'm a dead man I'll not leave this ground unless I'm totally dead I don't really have many years to live but I want a good future for those and he pointed at me and my friends.. I'll never forget this incident.

I'm not sure if you're still answering questions or not but I have one more question that's been on my mind for a while now. How are veterans treated in Iraq? Do they get get some sort of a pension like in the US? I don't just mean recent ones who were/are fighting against ISIS but ones from other wars like '91, '93, or the Iran Iraq war (I don't know what the Gulf war and Iraq war is called in Iraq so I just went with the dates, I hope that's okay). Are there any veterans groups that help take care of other vets like in America and plenty of other western countries or no? How does the Iraqi public view these men (I'm not sure if there's women in the Iraqi military)? Do they feel some sort of pride for them, hatred, shame, or pity?

I apologize if this is a loaded question. I'm sure there's many different views of them across the country and I'm sure the recent incidents involving the shooting of protesters may impact public opinion in Iraq as well as your opinion but this question has been bugging me for a while and I haven't been able to find someone or a context where I can ask this question without making things awkward. The only things I could find online were about American/Coalition vets, nothing about Iraqi ones.

P.S I mean the Iraqi Army/Republican Guard, fuck the malitias.

Well hi I'll keep answering whenever I have time no problem :) All of our veterans get a pension and it amount vary depends on their rank but they are well paid for their services. People who got enrolled in the Iran war got their military service added to their civilian job. There might be exceptional cases that I'm not aware of I'm only talking about the people Who I know..

and For the people and veterans who sacrificed their lives "Al-Shaheed Monument" was built it is situated in the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. And it was dedicated to the Iraqi soldiers who died in the Iran–Iraq War. However, now it is generally considered by Iraqis to be a commemoration of all of Iraq's martyrs. Al-Shaheed Monument

And for the current situation and the shootings we never hated our military or our security forces after all.. they are our brothers, neighbours, relatives and most importantly they are Iraqis just like us. many of them even take the Military salute when our protest pass beside them or when whey see the coffin of a dead protester, many times they get shot by tear gas when they are with us and they simply say we really don't know who is shooting :/ (they can't say that the proxies are dressed in their uniform) Our problem is with their commanders and with the people who got our blood on their hands, some were not actually security forces sometimes they were proxies dressed in our security forces uniform. No matter what happens we can't accuse the whole army and security forces in killing our protesters. We still have trust in our courts and judges and they are the ones who will put the true killers behind bars.

Been to any camel races? Saw a documentary on how they now have robots controlling the camels, got very intersting.

Well we don't have these things in Iraq :( I don't even remember when was the last time I even saw a camel :)) You find these stuff in the UAE, QATAR etc.. I never been there.

I read another question about fenders and I remembered this one thing that I noticed in numerous videos being filmed in Iraq. Why do some cars have different colored lisence plates? I've seen yellow, white and red ones.

White = normal citizen vehicle. Yellow = Tracks or any vehicle that transports goods or carriers loads، agricultural, construction etc.. Red = two kinds one kind of Red is for Taxis, public transportation, and the other red is for embassies and foreign missions. Blue = Government owned vehicles. There used to be black lisence in the early 2000s = it meant temporarily lisence or something I was too young then.

And about the fenders I got confused there used to be orange fender cars in the 80s and 90s which indicates that they were Taxis old taxi But it's quite common for people to buy the cheap colour part and then paint it thus I got confused about that.

Who do you think did 9/11?

Dude! It's a tragedy each and every death of a human being is a tragedy I was 4 years old at that time and I'm really sad for what happened. After every thing we saw and been through, We know more than anyone how much a human life is precious, and we know very well what it means to lose a loved one or even knowing that someone was killed.

Are Iraqis violent as they are? Or are those just the extremists?

Only extremists! and they are Iran proxies.. We are peaceful people we just want to live normally and get our basic human rights.

Did you forget that the US caused chaos in Iraq in the first place on false evidence? Why the Iranis gets hate for killing your people while USA gets a 'Thank you' forgiven for the past?

I see in many of your answers pointing each time to Iran and its proxies, what about the Saudis? The US? None of these countries are saints, each have agendas and are willing to kill more people.

How did you manage to go to the US?

Well first of all let's cut the left crap for a moment for God's sake 🤦‍♂️ I don't want to get into the politics of why Saddam was executed as the US officials used to say (He's a son of b#$ch but he's our son of B#$ch) I literally DON'T CARE, WR LITERALLY DON'T CARE. we had enough!! we want to live a normal life like normal people, I was born in the middle of sanctions, then the US war, then Al-Qaeda, then the sectarian war then ISIS THEN THEN THEN We just want to live like a normal country. Saying okay the US which is the strongest nation in the world had killed us and we don't want to deal with them we will even resist them do you think that it'll help us to live in a normal country?! Most of us don't care we just want to put an end to all of this and live normally, we can't live normally while we are being controlled by a country that is hated by the US and Saudi Arabia the biggest powers in the middle east. Sometimes taking a stand in front of a running stream of water and there is a water fall behind you Is the most stupid thing you can ever do.

Context is important, since the harm started with an unnecessary attack that later laid the foundation for more chaos. As long foreign presence exists in Iraq, the stability will be just a dream.

Why don't you protest against every presence? Everyone out, let us deal with our shit.

You might have good intentions for your country, but I'm afraid you're just a propaganda tool, to clean Americas image : Iran bad kill people, USA good gave me opportunity to have better life and follow American dream.

Okay I'll get them out and then lose access to the NY Federal Reserve Bank which has all the oil revenue of Iraq and then my country will have to pay for the embassy and the US military bases in Iraq and then each and every country that we are in dept to, will hold our money to get their depts back and then we will have to deal with sanctions and the threat of losing the Air cover that we have by the coalition and they even may ask for the money of the "liberating Iraq from saddam" and I'll do all that just to "put things in context" and with all that I'll try to build a "normal country" Are you dumb or something? for real?. 🤦‍♂️