In 2003, there was talk about American forces entering Iraq.

My sense of solidarity took me to Iraq to defend them and confront the American occupier at that time.

That was my primary motivation. I had no organizational affiliations.

In fact, I went to Iraq before the Americans entered. I went there to wait for them as they were coming.

I went alone, without any organizational affiliations.

“Kill whomever you kill in your rage,

Slaughter whomever you slaughter out of fear.

But we will not wear mourning clothes.

Even the air, they poisoned.
Even the food, they confiscated.
Even the milk bottle, they shattered,
So that the little ones would suckle your hatred.”

-My maternal uncle, the late poet Saleh Omar Farwana. May Allah have mercy on him.