The burden of command
I've been in charge for 10 months now, and each time I send someone out of Baghdad I worry that they won't come back. My luck almost ran out yesterday.
Samir and Saeed were attacked north of Basrah, after leaving a customer site. They were driving an older white sedan in good condition. A group of men fired AK-47's at the car, hitting at least twice. Saeed stopped the car, and the men held them at gunpoint, stripped them to their underwear, and took the car and their clothes.
They returned to Baghdad by taxi late last night. They were unharmed, but very ashamed. It was hard to see the look in their eyes - they looked so beaten. Samir wanted to pay for the car, but I told him it's not his responsibility. Company time, company problem.
They found out from locals that these men are known, part of a criminal organization that does this as a straight-forward business enterprise. It's a simple "steal the car and sell it back to them" kind of deal. The local sheikh and his family are untouchable - they are well connected in Basrah and control their own militia. The sheikh is apparently also known as an "honorable" man and promises safe passage to those coming to buy their cars back. They reported the theft to the ICDC (Iraqi Civil Defense Corps), who told them to go away.
They want $1500 for the car, which we paid $3500 for last month. This kind of thing is a simple business transation here, and it's a good deal for us to buy it back. So this morning, Marwan, Samir, and their fathers went to Basrah to negotiate for the car. More as it develops.
Samir and Saeed were attacked north of Basrah, after leaving a customer site. They were driving an older white sedan in good condition. A group of men fired AK-47's at the car, hitting at least twice. Saeed stopped the car, and the men held them at gunpoint, stripped them to their underwear, and took the car and their clothes.
They returned to Baghdad by taxi late last night. They were unharmed, but very ashamed. It was hard to see the look in their eyes - they looked so beaten. Samir wanted to pay for the car, but I told him it's not his responsibility. Company time, company problem.
They found out from locals that these men are known, part of a criminal organization that does this as a straight-forward business enterprise. It's a simple "steal the car and sell it back to them" kind of deal. The local sheikh and his family are untouchable - they are well connected in Basrah and control their own militia. The sheikh is apparently also known as an "honorable" man and promises safe passage to those coming to buy their cars back. They reported the theft to the ICDC (Iraqi Civil Defense Corps), who told them to go away.
They want $1500 for the car, which we paid $3500 for last month. This kind of thing is a simple business transation here, and it's a good deal for us to buy it back. So this morning, Marwan, Samir, and their fathers went to Basrah to negotiate for the car. More as it develops.