BBC's One Day in Iraq

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On Tuesday 7 June the BBC reported in detail on events in Iraq throughout the entire day, from dawn to dusk Baghdad time. We spoke to people across the country to ask them what it is like to live in Iraq. We also looked at all the main news events in detail and examined what the media had to say.

I am an Iraqi citizen who had to leave the country a month before the war, then six months later I went back to stay for several months. Believe me, I was shocked to see how a country and its people can change in only a few months. I still have my family there and, unfortunately, whenever I talk to them hoping things have improved, it turns out that it's getting worse. All we Iraqis need is security, electricity and water. Let us not ask for too much for the moment.

This is typical of the comments repeatedly from Iraqis. A woman working in a hair saloon says her customers must carry their own water to get service. Electricity is typically about 8 hours per day - much less than what Saddam provided. Water outages are common. The three words that Iraqis repeatedly say is missing most is security, water and electricity. Repeatedly, they say things have gotten worse. Moreso, some also say things have only gotten even worse over the past year. The hair saloon employee noted how the owner stops paying them when customers don't come. She then notes they have been lucky. They have not yet received threats to become bombing victims.

Americans also replied demanding that Iraqis are now better off since they have freedom. But Iraqis don't talk about freedom. They discuss less security. Why does that not agree with American comments? Clearly Iraqis must be wrong. However, some Iraqis suggest they have no future. Saddam is only replaced by Zarqawi. Some suggest that because western powers have created this problem, then westerners should open their borders to Iraqis who only want to be free.

One man noted how to avoid being a bomb victim. The bombers typically start between 9 and 10 AM. He gets to work earlier. However the man could list which bombs almost got him. Freedom?

Sue in the UK posts:

I truly wish Iraq could find peace. However, you can't have both i.e. freedom to become a refugee in the UK and the withdrawal of all foreigners from Iraq. Perhaps we should withdraw - the Iraqi people did not invite us there - but what do you think would happen if we did? The insurgents would be Saddam replacements. There was only one Saddam. If we go you will have many Saddams. I don't know what the solution is but I sincerely hope Iraq will become a better place for its citizens and they will find peace and prosperity

Adel Ali responds:

To Sue, Birmingham, UK: Thank you for your well meaning reply but you can't have it both ways too. None of my Iraqi friends are asking for withdrawal of the occupying troops since they believe that it is a pointless exercise, well, unless they suffer massive setbacks resulting in thousands of deaths. In the meantime, good people of England and their government should extend hospitality to the Iraqis who just want to be safe. This war and the events leading to it have been such a mess that the self congratulating excuse of removal of Saddam is nothing more than a laughable lame attempt.

Comments above and below are from: One day in Iraq: Your comments and BBC World Service

A typical comment from Baghdad and other cities caught in the insurgency:

Jasmine, schoolgirl, Baghdad, 1755LOCAL TIME (1355 GMT)
I went to school and had an exam today. Was I worried more about security or the exam?

Well, both really!

I have to worry about my exam and studying but also we always worry about a bomb or an explosion going off near the school or even when we are on our way there.

We're actually starting to get to get used to it, it is beginning to be a normal fear, we actually prepare ourselves to face death anytime.

We can't really go out to see our friends because of the security, we worry about any shooting or being kidnapped, so we just stay in and watch TV.

We may have electricity when we get home but then again we do have a generator.

As for the future, well I think it will not be good at all but hopefully it will improve.

It is sad when I know that all my friends and family are leaving Iraq to be safe.

Right now, even if we are at home we are not safe.

Yes there are other comments about safe towns. Put them on the map. Regions around Baghdad - the most populous areas - are in turmoil. Border regions are much quieter. One city that keeps coming up as safe is Suleymaniya.

Mr al-Mufti, dental technician, Baghdad, 1745 LOCAL TIME (1345 GMT)
Normally at this time I would be training with my fellow members of the national water polo team at the Freedom swimming pool in Baghdad.

The swimming pool is in a very delicate security area, bounded by the US troops' camp and the ministry of interior affairs, so reaching the facility was too hard for us until four or five months ago.

But after the improvement in the security situation, we are able to use our training facility.

I was awoken before 7am by the noise of the Humvees and the tanks on Haifa street where I live. Our area is compromised on security.

We often face difficulties in entering our homes, to go to work, to go for training. When you go out for two hours and come back, you find Haifa Street is blocked.

I would like to go back to life as it was before the invasion because it was so secure.

We need security to feel safe, to be trained, we need security to feel free to go about.

I am not optimistic for the near future.

Look at Haiti or the Balkans to appreciate Iraqis future. At least those regions wanted outside libertors. Those liberators will probably be there for 10 years. Iraq was not asking for liberation. Lessons from history suggest how long Americans will die there. I did't read any comments from Iraqis thankful for freedom. Not one. Security is the repeated concern. There is no freedom when security does not exist.

Osama Basil, Civil Engineer, Baghdad, 1100 LOCAL TIME (0700GMT)
If you take construction contracts you have to be selective. Any project serving the authorities or multinational forces may put you in danger because you're accused of cooperating with the enemy.

The risks we're facing in our daily lives are not just from car bombs which take up most of the media's attention.

We experience also criminal problems like abduction or killings. In my family, my father was abducted early in the year.

We had to negotiate with the kidnappers and pay them money in order to spare his life. We have him back with us now.

We have electricity for only 8 hours a day now, in our famously hot summer. People have to get up very early in the morning, not only to work, but also because of the lack of electricity.