Letter: Hit by 'stray' cruise missiles

Dr S. A. D. Al-Ismail
Monday 05 July 1993 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Sir: My brother, a dentist, gave me a detailed, eyewitness account of the latest American attack on Baghdad. He lives in the road where the 'stray' cruise missiles fell. He explained on the phone the terror he, his wife and their three children lived through in the early hours of Sunday 27 June. They were completely unprepared and unsuspecting when the attack happened. They were asleep in their beds at the time.

He and his wife managed to get the screaming children to the basement, suffering some cuts from flying glass. They were left with shattered windows, a gaping hole in the roof of their house and children probably psychologically scarred for life. The other casualty was the family dog.

The houses on the other side of the road were severely affected. Three were demolished and several were very badly damaged. People in the neighbourhood after the attack were dazed and bewildered. Those that came to their senses were trying to dig out those buried under the rubble. Eight civilians died in the attacks and several others were injured. Little could be done to treat those seriously injured, due to a lack of essential medical supplies resulting from the sanctions.

The legality of the American action has been questioned by many. The immorality of attacking a target amidst residential areas without any warning to the civilians must be clear to all.

Yours sincerely,

S. A. D. AL-ISMAIL

Swansea

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in