As Iraqi violence continues to spread between Sunni and Shiite enclaves, the hope for a peaceful solution appears to dwindle away. Sadly, this is reminiscent of Viet Nam where our forces had to face regular violence and snipers there as they tried to protect their homeland from what they perceived as an illegal invasion much as the people of Iraq are now fighting hard to preserve their homeland from what they see as infidel forces. This is nowhere more obvious than in Baghdad itself where three months after a security crackdown sectarian violence is returning to areas, like Baiyaa, that had previously been considered under control.

Baiyaa, located in western Baghdad, is a middle class district that had managed to escape much of the violence until recently when they began experiencing car bombings and sniper fire causing both Shiite and Sunni families to flee the area. This dangerous situation has serious implications for the U.S. led security plan, since it shows that areas felt to be safe are vulnerable to violence despite the flood of U.S.-Iraqi forces. In addition, this problem will result in troubling numbers for the Bush Administration, as it appears as if the additional 30,000 troops scheduled to be deployed may not be sufficient to keep peace in this city of 6 million people let alone in other areas of Iraq.

The fear is obvious in the voices and eyes of the Iraqi middle class where people like Haidar Ahmed, a 34-year-old Baiyaa resident, was forced to flee the city with his wife and three children. According to Ahmed the fighting during the last few weeks has been really bad with the violence causing noncombatants to be imprisoned in their homes.

Of course, Sunni politicians accuse the Shiite-dominated government of allowing Shiite militias to operate in Baiyaa and elsewhere. Members of other Shiite families, speaking only on the condition of anonymity, have fled the city claiming that Sunni extremists threatened them if they did not leave.

To combat the increased violence security operations have been stepped up in the larger district including Baiyaa but with the snipers and terrorists intent on driving out our forces, we are again placed in a no-win situation. Additionally, losing Blair, who was forced to resign from his position as English Prime Minister, America can only find herself the target of even more hatred from the worldwide community.

So, is Iraq just another Viet Nam that we have no hope of winning? Will Bush ever get the idea that he has not only lost the support of Congress and foreign allies but also the support of the majority of American people? Will he pursue his vendetta even it means the additional loss of American lives and the fact that he has lost his credibility? Only time will tell but for the sake of America I hope that he will wake up, put his warmongering behind him, restore peace to our country, and allow the country of Iraq to regain its independence.

Tags: iraq, viet nam, warmongering, bush administration, baiyaa, baghdad, shiite, sunni, extemists, deployed military danger, iraq snipers, car bombing