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Samarra: The road from Baghdad to Samarra city in Salaheddin province takes an hour and a half or probably more, given the frequency of security check-points spread all along the distance. But surely it is a more secure and safe route to take.
"The city of Samarra, 120km from Baghdad, is the most important Iraqi city, politically. What happens in Samarra may well determine the fate of the other parts of Iraq - Baghdad, Basra, Najaf, Anbar and Arbil," Fawaz Al Samarrai, one of the elder citizens of Samarra, told Gulf News recently.
"And after the February 22, 2006, extremist bombings on the shrines of imams Ali Al Hadi and Hassan Al Askari, this is indeed the city of war - or peace - the way you see it," said Al Samarrai.
On February 22, 2006, the flames of war and sectarian strife spread from Samarra to other Iraqi cities. According to unofficial sources, more than 1,157 Iraqis were killed and dozens of mosques destroyed in sectarian violence.
Today, Samarra is one of the most-visited Iraqi cities. It is frequented by Iraqi political leaders and Sunni and Shiite clerics to oversee the process of rebuilding of the shrines of the two imams. Besides, hundreds of construction workers have moved in from different parts of Iraqi to Samarra to implement the reconstruction.
To ensure the process of rebuilding goes on without any breach of security, five military brigades from the Ministry of Interior and Defence stand guard in the surroundings. However, even these personnel stand at a distance for fear of being hit by mortar shellings aimed at the shrines.
Fear of infiltration
The ministries of Interior and Defence select the senior officers who oversee the night shifts for fear of any terrorist infiltration that may not only destroy Samarra, but Baghdad and the other cities as well.
"It will not be an exaggeration to say that once the shrines are re-opened for visitors, it will mark huge political and security progress in Iraq," Mohammad Fayad, a Shiite cleric, told Gulf News.
In a remarkable gesture, Sunni women are often seen carrying food for the security personnel guarding the shrines, and for the workers who continue to toil day and night.
"Through this, we want to show that Iraqis are united in their fight against sectarian violence," Um Salaam, a 51-year-old resident of Samarra, told Gulf News.
"It's true my work is professional and technical, but I realise I am contributing towards the reconciliation process and restoration of unity in the country," Louay Al Moussaoui, an Iraqi archaeologist, told Gulf News.
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