Escape from Saddam

1. Escape from Saddam's Iraq: A Perilous Journey Begins

"I stood perfectly still and tried to accustom myself to the solitude and the silence."

A desperate flight. Sarmed Alsamari's journey begins with a harrowing escape from his military unit in Iraq. Under cover of darkness, he crawls through barbed wire, narrowly avoids detection by searchlights, and is shot in the leg. Despite the injury, he manages to flee into the desert, where he faces new dangers:

• Hostile checkpoint guards
• The threat of capture and execution
• A perilous encounter with wild wolves

This dramatic opening sets the stage for Sarmed's long and dangerous path to freedom, highlighting the risks he was willing to take to escape Saddam Hussein's regime.

2. Life Under Tyranny: The Brutality of Saddam's Regime

"We set forth these parables to men that they may reflect."

A culture of fear. Sarmed's motivation for escape becomes clear as he recounts life under Saddam's rule. The regime maintained power through:

• Widespread surveillance and informants
• Public executions and disappearances
• Torture and imprisonment of dissidents

Personal anecdotes illustrate the regime's cruelty:

• A friend's father vanishing after criticizing airline safety
• Women accused of prostitution beheaded in the street
• An entire town razed for attempting to assassinate Saddam

These stories paint a vivid picture of the oppression that drove Sarmed and many others to risk everything for a chance at freedom.

3. Military Service and Desertion: A Desperate Bid for Freedom

"I don't want to be in the army," I had told my Uncle Saad petulantly when it had become apparent that there was no other option open to me.

Trapped in service. Sarmed's conscription into the Iraqi military becomes a turning point. He experiences:

• Brutal training methods, including beatings and psychological torture
• Indoctrination into the regime's ideology
• The constant threat of being sent to the front lines

Faced with the prospect of either serving a regime he despised or facing execution for desertion, Sarmed makes the difficult decision to flee. His uncle Saad, a war veteran, helps him plan his escape, understanding the risks but recognizing the necessity of action.

4. Crossing Borders: The Dangers of Illegal Immigration

"I stood there, passport and note in hand, and looked out through the window over the busy streets of Amman. I suddenly realized that whenever I had done this sort of thing before, I had felt somehow inferior to everybody else down there."

A world of shadows. Sarmed's journey takes him through multiple countries as he navigates the dangerous world of illegal immigration. He encounters:

• People smugglers and forged documents
• The constant fear of discovery and deportation
• Ethical dilemmas and difficult choices

His experiences highlight the desperation of refugees and the complex network that exists to help (and often exploit) them. Sarmed must constantly balance the need for caution with the urgency of his situation, learning to trust strangers while never letting his guard down completely.

5. Building a New Life: Challenges and Opportunities in the West

"I did my best to distract myself by redoubling my efforts with Shireen. Our morning strolls were just as frequent and just as cherished."

Starting over. Upon reaching England, Sarmed faces the challenge of rebuilding his life from scratch. He must:

• Learn to navigate a new culture and system
• Find work and education opportunities
• Deal with the psychological trauma of his experiences

Despite the difficulties, Sarmed embraces his new freedom. He works multiple jobs, studies diligently, and begins to form relationships. His romance with Shireen in Jordan and later with Rachel in England show his desire to connect and build a normal life, even as he struggles with the weight of his past and his responsibilities to his family.

6. Family Ties: The Struggle to Rescue Loved Ones Left Behind

"I couldn't believe it. How had I got myself into this position? The wolves were still fresh in my thoughts, and as I squinted out at the bleak expanse of desert that was just starting to lighten up with sunrise, I wondered how many more of those awful beasts were out there."

A desperate mission. Sarmed's success in reaching safety is bittersweet, as he becomes consumed with guilt and worry for the family he left behind. When he learns they have been imprisoned and tortured because of his escape, he becomes determined to rescue them. This leads to:

• Dangerous return trips to the Middle East
• Risky schemes to obtain false documents
• A moral compromise that puts his new life in jeopardy

His efforts to save his family showcase both his loyalty and the impossible situations faced by many refugees, forced to choose between their own safety and the well-being of loved ones.

7. Identity and Belonging: Navigating Between Two Worlds

"I found English people somewhat colder than their Arabic counterparts—not unfriendly, just not that interested, unwilling to forge immediate relationships with a young Iraqi refugee who must have looked like any number of other foreigners walking the streets."

Cultural limbo. Throughout his journey, Sarmed grapples with questions of identity and belonging. He must:

• Adapt to Western culture while maintaining his roots
• Build relationships with both fellow refugees and native Westerners
• Reconcile his past experiences with his new life

This struggle is exemplified in his relationships, his career choices, and his efforts to help other refugees. Sarmed's story illustrates the complex process of integration and the lasting impact of displacement on one's sense of self.

8. The Price of Freedom: Moral Dilemmas and Personal Sacrifice

"Suddenly I felt the Devil, Iblis, tap me on my shoulder."

Ethical crossroads. In his desperation to save his family, Sarmed faces a moral crisis. He:

• Contemplates and eventually commits fraud to obtain money
• Risks not only his own freedom but that of his new wife, Rachel
• Must confront the consequences of his actions and their impact on others

This climactic decision forces Sarmed to weigh his personal ethics against his family's safety, illustrating the impossible choices often faced by those caught between two worlds. The aftermath of his decision brings both relief and new dangers, challenging readers to consider what they might do in similar circumstances.

Last updated: November 19, 2024