An Iraqi general was assassinated by terrorists in western Baghdad yesterday.
Maj. Gen. Mubdar Hatim Hazya Al-Duleimi, 6th Iraqi Army Division commanding general, was killed by terrorists in western Baghdad.
“General Mubdar was a true Iraqi patriot,†said Maj. Gen. J.D. Thurman, commanding general of Multi-National Division – Baghdad. “His loss will be felt by this command. He was my friend and a brother. His legacy will live on. He leaves behind a professional and capable fighting force that will continue the fight for Iraqi freedom.â€
I’ve encountered several Iraqi generals and high level officers since my arrival in Baghdad, and I’ll say this – these guys are brave. They have to be. They are targets. The insurgency tries to kill them all the time. I’m saddened every time a pro-Iraq Iraqi is murdered. Americans who haven’t been here probably can’t grasp the reality of what is happening here. Americans don’t generally assassinate each other. We don’t kidnap and murder the family members of people we disagree with. We are not insane, and we think human life has value.
At the most basic level, this is a battle between men who want Iraq to be free and prosperous and men who want a twisted, evil nation of fearful, ignorant slaves that they can rule. Sadly, more good men are going to die before the infection of evil that haunts Iraq fades into memory.