Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 11

In late September 1980, I was monitoring real-time reports on our forces’ activities in the village of Nashweh. Each passing day saw an increase in our wounded and dead due to ground assaults, airstrikes, and guerrilla operations by popular forces. The first attack by the Iranian army against our forces occurred on September 29, 1980, carried out by a brigade of the 92nd Armored Division.

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 10

The members of the mobile medical unit were sitting under the shade of tree branches. Despite being very hungry, they were no longer willing to ask for food from them. We consoled ourselves with jokes. At that moment, I noticed my friends staring at something that had fallen on the ground. I went toward that suspicious object. It was a piece of fancy bread that had fallen out of the supply vehicle and was covered in dust.

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 9

On September 25, 1980, along with Dr. "Naeem Abd Salman," at the head of a medical team, we set out for the command headquarters of the 20th Brigade to provide assistance. It was 4:00 PM when we drove toward the border in two vehicles carrying six passengers and a military jeep as our guide. We traveled along a rough dirt road and after 40 minutes reached the vicinity of the border point.

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 8

Although these incidents occurred one after another, the Islamic Republic sought not to respond militarily to these provocations and acts of aggression by the Baghdad regime. The credulous public also believed that the issue would not go beyond this point and that the Iraqi government did not intend to do anything more than reclaim the occupied territories. Even Saddam Hussein himself emphasized this point in the military communiqué broadcast after the attack on September ...

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 7

Propaganda outlets were publishing news and reports about acts of unrest and separatist movements that took place after the victory of the Iranian Revolution. To pave the way for the fragmentation of Iran, these media used the phrase “the peoples of Iran” instead of “the Iranian people.” The Ba’athists ignored the fact that Arabs, Kurds, and Turkmen lived in Iraq and that they referred to all of them as a single Iraqi nation.

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 6

The Ministry of Propaganda printed and distributed numerous color images of Saddam, as well as medals featuring his likeness. Students were forced to pin these medals to their chests upon entering school. Additionally, images of Saddam were placed under the glass of wristwatches, and statues depicting him in various poses were created and installed at the entrances of major cities.

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 5

In 1980, the Ba'athist regime of Iraq expelled thousands of Iraqi families to Iran, claiming that they were of Iranian origin and responsible for numerous acts of sabotage in Iraq. This deportation was carried out with extraordinary cruelty and brutality. A large number of innocent people were arrested and imprisoned, and their movable and immovable property was confiscated. Women, the elderly, and children were then ...

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 4

The Iraqi regime, under the pretext of implementing construction projects and fostering national growth and development, invited nearly three million Egyptian nationals, along with several thousand Indian and Filipino nationals, into Iraq. Ostensibly, these individuals entered the country as laborers and technicians to participate in Iraq's development projects.

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 3

Saddam asked me about the patients. I replied, “Mr. President, I work on the fifth floor and don’t have any information about their current condition.” At that moment, the ward physicians entered and rescued me from that awkward situation. Feeling distressed and shaken, I returned to my office in the emergency ward.

Third Regiment: Memoirs of an Iraqi Prisoner of War Doctor – 2

I graduated from medical school in 1979 and began my work as a physician in the community. Due to my outstanding grade, I was employed at a first-class hospital in Baghdad. My work started at the Arab Children's Hospital and concluded at the Al-Karama General Hospital. The Arab Children's Hospital is located in a sensitive area near the parliament, the Presidential Palace, and the Ministry of Interior.