Dec 29, 2014

BALAD, Iraq — Everywhere, Iraq is a war front; it’s only a matter of choice, a geographical menu. In Baghdad, the south and parts of the east, it’s a war of suicide bombings; in Al-Anbar, Saladin, part of Diyala, Kurdistan and of course Mosul, it’s a war of liberation. Both are being fought between the same rivals — the Iraqi government and its allies on one side and on the other the Islamic State (IS), which has managed to take control of almost 45% of the country over the last six months.

In Salahuddin province, north of Baghdad, shelling and shooting became the soundtrack. Life here is all about fighting and mourning. There are no more tears to shed for young fighters, soldiers or volunteers, who lose their lives on the front. Black lost its significance as the color women here wear during mourning; it simply became the color of everyday.

“I came from Basra to fight those terrorists, I came before the month of Ramadan [in June 2014],” said Abu Ghazwan, a Shiite commander whom Al-Monitor met at the village of Zor El-Bakr, near Balad air base, known as LSA Anaconda during the US occupation and Bakr air base during Saddam’s reign. Abu Ghazwan is commanding a group of 200 volunteers who decided to fight alongside the army and the federal police against IS. “I don’t have any intention to go back to my family or town before this battle is over, I’ve been here for almost six months and I’m ready to die, so another six months here won’t mean anything,” he said.

IS fighters are only 1 kilometer (0.62 mile) from where we stand, and there’s nothing that says they are there except for the shots and shells from their side aimed at the village. “Beware of the sniper” is the most used phrase here: “No one here wants to be killed by those lunatics,” said Hassan, a former taxi driver turned fighter. “I prefer dying in a different way, yet I’m ready to fight as far as this could help in defeating them; they aren’t an easy enemy. They fight until the last bullet.”

While we talk, a barrage is seen from Balad air base: 107 mm rockets are unleashed, the fighters start cheering as they see the smoke rising from the IS positions. It’s a game of war where winners and losers master the art of interaction, here or there the secret phrase is “Allahu akbar,” or “God is great.”