The Diary of Amal Salman

Sunday, April 6, 2003

. . . Um Mohammed came and said the Americans are landing in Baghdad, and the sound of gunfire is very loud. We are scared. At 4:23, the sound of airplanes, and Um Mohammed said no one should go to the roof because the Americans are landing in Baghdad. We were scared at this news. . . .

Today Abu Saif is sick because of the fear, terror and worry. We are tense. Abu Sahib said they bombed a boys' secondary school, which was occupied by Saddam Fedayeen, the school is Dar al-Salam High School. It was then quiet, but at 10:55, there was heavy bombing again, then a lull. After 10 minutes, at 11:05, it was on again.

Monday, April 7, 2003

. . . We heard on London Radio in Arabic that the Iraqis blew up the Suspended Bridge in Baghdad, to block American troops' drive into central Baghdad. At 3:05, we heard gunfire, and at 3:15, planes flew over our building. Each time, we repeated, God is greatest, God is greatest. At 3:17, there was a loud blast that shook the building violently. At 3:23, we heard exchanges of fire between American and Iraqi forces. We are scared and very terrified. At 3:27, there was heavy shooting and at 3:40, heavy bombing. By 3:59, the bombing was still going on. Oh God, have mercy on us. At 4:00, there was very heavy bombing. We heard on the news that the Americans have occupied the Presidential Palace in Baghdad. At 4:05, there was the sound of airplanes flying over Baghdad. At 4:07, we heard the sound of a huge explosion, but we don't know where, although it sounded close by. Another big explosion at 4:08 that shook the building. At 5:22, a series of missile explosions shook the building. What's going to happen now? We don't know. We feel scared and tense. It is dark, smoke filling the skies, and rising up. At 6:30, there was a very big explosion, then it was quiet until 7:25 when another big explosion struck. Everyone is scared and crying over the wide destruction and the agony. Oh God! Why this torture? Why Iraq? Why us? Who can answer this question? God protect us. . . .

At 8:30, we heard the sound of an airplane passing, and at 8:45, there was a loud explosion, and again at 9:10, and then at 9:20. . . . At 9:40 we heard sounds of bombing on Baghdad, then quiet. It is very dark now, and darkness covers all of Baghdad. It was quiet, and we felt relived, but then suddenly, America fired missiles, and we heard very loud explosions. At 10:25, the bombing began, and again at 10:45, there was an explosion, and later at 10:57 and 11:10, 11:35 and 11:40. At 11:50, there was one big bang but at 12:00 there was some quiet. But we don't know what's coming next. Then at 1:30 bombing began again, and went on. . . .

Tuesday, April 8, 2003

. . . At 10:05, bombing restarted then about five minutes later it was quiet again. We don't know what's going on. Maybe it's a big catastrophe. At 11:30, the building was shaking and it almost collapsed. You can't imagine the fear and panic. We thought these were our last moments alive, that we were about to die. But God saved us. We implore him every day. Praise and thanks to God. At 12:00, many airplanes passed overhead, then we went to the roof and saw two helicopters. . . .

Every time there is quiet, I feel more afraid. After the quiet ends, we don't know what will happen. . . . Abu Saif said he had gone to the Suspended Bridge and saw dead bodies in the street. Oh God, why all this? Why? Why? God protect us all! . . .

At 10:15, we went up to the roof of the building. There were us, the family of Um Saif, my brother Mohammed, Um Mohammed, Abu Mohammed, Abu Sahib, Um Sahib, Um Aya. We were looking up into the sky when I saw a streak of light glowing in the dark. I asked what this is and Um Mohammed said, "This is a field light the Americans use to light the targets they want to attack." Then there were five other lights in the sky. At 10:45, it started to rain, but stopped suddenly, and we stayed there sitting. . . .

At 12:20, I went to sleep because I was so tired.

Wednesday, April 9, 2003

. . . We awoke to the news broadcast through the radio of our neighbor, Um Mohammed. It was hot, and we heard the sound of airplanes in the sky, and then again, and again. I heard the roaring of the tanks passing through a street across from us. The tanks were passing through Karrada. And so, Baghdad has fallen. . . .