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Iraq 2002/2003: Before the War. (77 images)

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  • Baghdad, Oct 14, 2002.A poster painter rolls up a Saddam Hussein portrait that will be displayed the next day for the referendum whereby the Iraqi people will decide whether to extend the President's mandate for another 7 years.

  • Tikrit, Iraq; October 15th, 2002.Voters casting their "Nam" ("Yes") vote (many with their blood) at a polling station during the referendum to extend Saddam Hussein's presidential mandate for 7 years, the turnout appeared to be massive as well as the enthusiasm of the Iraqis to support their president..Tikrit is the birthplace city of Saddam Hussein.

  • Baghdad, Iraq October 16, 2002.All public internet cafes are state owned, e-mail is strictly controlled, many websites "restricted"....

  • Baghdad, Iraq October 16, 2002.In Bagdad's largest amusement park..

  • Baghdad, Iraq, October 17, 2002.Near Al Senegh bridge, on the bank of the Tigris river.

  • Abu Graibh, near Baghdad, October 20, 2002.Young Iraqis swimming in an irrigation canal at dusk, national pride rides high as can be seen by this teenager t-shirt that reads"Iraq" on the back.

  • Abu Graibh penitentiary, near Baghdad, October 20, 2002.Tens of thousands of prisoners are amnistied by president Saddam Hussein and are released 2 hours after the official announcement..Prisoners rushing out of the compound with their possessions.

  • Abu Graibh penitentiary, near Baghdad, October 20, 2002.Tens of thousands of prisoners are amnistied by president Saddam Hussein and are released 2 hours after the official announcement..At the prisons' gate, an countless crowd eagerly awaits liberated relatives and friends.

  • Baghdad, October 22, 2002..Ex-prisoners amnistied 2 days previously from their jails by an unprecedented presidential decree claim their support to Saddam Hussein..Demonstrators express their willingness to give their blood to defend Iraq and their president against an eventual US-led strike by imprinting their hands on Saddam Hussein posters with their blood.

  • Tikrit, Iraq; October 15th, 2002.Anti-US slogan painted on the ground of a school used as a polling station during the referendum to extend Saddam Hussein's presidential mandate for 7 years, the turnout appeared to be massive as well as the enthusiasm of the Iraqis to support their president..Tikrit is the birthplace city of Saddam Hussein.

  • Baghdad, Iraq October 16, 2002.All public internet cafes are state owned, e-mail is strictly controlled, many websites "restricted"...

  • Baghdad, Iraq, October 2002..The Iraqi population has been badly affected by 12 years of UN imposed sanctions, wages are very low (about $15/month for a public servant). But since the "food for oil" agreement, widescale smuggling makes it possible to find almost everything in Baghdad's souks..

  • Abu Graibh penitentiary, near Baghdad, October 20, 2002.Tens of thousands of prisoners are amnistied by president Saddam Hussein and are released 2 hours after the official announcement..A released prisoner is met by his two brothers after 8 1/2 years of custody.


  • Baghdad, Iraq, Feb 3, 2003.Jumuriyah (Republic) Avenue on the south bank of the Tigris river is one of Baghdad's busiest streets.

  • Basra gynecological and pediatric hospital, Iraq, Feb 5, 2003.Abbas, 2 months suffers from accute pneumonia, a condition most likely caused by severe malnutrition as indicated by his sunken eyes and pale color.

  • BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb 6, 2003.The souk in Al Khadamiyeh, a Chia'i part of the city.

  • BAGHDAD, Iraq, Feb 6, 2003.In front of the "Golden Mosq" in Al Khadamiyeh, a Chia'i part of the city.

  • Al Mohtasem military compound, central Iraq, Feb 7, 2003..Iraqi made Al Fath and Al Samud missiles inside the Al Sumud military industrial compound. This site was described by Colin Powell during his UN speech.

  • Al Mohtasem military compound, central Iraq, Feb 7, 2003..Iraqi made Al Fath and Al Samud missiles inside the Al Sumud military industrial compound. This site was described by Colin Powell during his UN speech.

  • TIKRIT, IRAQ, Feb 8, 2003.Women volunteer unit marching during a military parade organized by the ruling Baath party to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the 1963 revolutiion..Tikrit is the birthplace of Saddam Hussein..

  • SAMARA, IRAQ, Feb 8, 2003.Family week end outing: visiting the famous spiral minaret build around 860AD..

  • Kerbala, Iraq, Feb 9, 2003.Street scene in the souk.

  • Kerbala, Iraq, Feb 9, 2003.Thousands of Chiites pilgrims come here every day to pray on the tombs of Imam Abbas and Imam Hussein, two of the most important Muslem shrines.

  • Kerbala, Iraq, Feb 9, 2003.A little girl among the thousands of Chiites pilgrims who come every day to pray on the tomb of Imam Hussein.

  • Kerbala, Iraq, Feb 9, 2003.Thousands of Chiites pilgrims come every day to pray on the mausoleum of Imam Hussein.

  • Kerbala, Iraq, Feb 9, 2003.Thousands of Chiites pilgrims come every day to pray on the tombs of Imam Abbas and Imam Hussein.

  • Kerbala, Iraq, Feb 9, 2003.Thousands of Chiites pilgrims come every day to pray on the tombs of Imam Abbas and Imam Hussein.

  • Near Mahmoudia, Central Iraq, Feb 9 2003..Gazoline price in Iraq is less than 1 cent (Euro or $) per liter..


  • Baghdad, Iraq, February 12, 2003.The window of the Al Zahawi cafe in Rashid street, named after a famous local poet and musician...Baghdad cafes are a trademark of this ancient city, men gather after prayer and play dominoes or blackjack with intense passion while drinking black or lemon tea or traditionnal arabic coffie (ka'wah). .As the American menace of invasion draws nearer, tension is clearly perceptible: in any war, the civilian population endures a heavy burden...

  • Baghdad, Iraq, February 12, 2003.Clients of the Hassan Hajimi cafe in Rashid street. An ancient hotel, the Hassan Hajimi is one of the most typical and unchanged cafes in Baghdad, a single large room with geometrically disposed benches and old mirrors reflecting the intricate social fabric of traditional Baghdad..Baghdad cafes are a trademark of this ancient city, men gather after prayer and play dominoes or blackjack with intense passion while drinking black or lemon tea or traditionnal arabic coffie (ka'wah). .As the menace of an American invasion draws nearer, tension is clearly perceptible.

  • Baghdad, Iraq, Feb 14, 2003.A fun fair in the Adamieh quarter.

  • Baghdad, Iraq, February 13, 2003.The street sign of the Al Noaman cafe in the Adamieh quarter, the Al Noaman was the rendez-vous of the founders of the Baath party in the late fifties and early sixties, the february 8, 1963 Coup d'Etat and assassination of Abdul Karim Qassim was planned here..

  • baghdad, Iraq, Feb 14, 2003.The Friday outdoor animal market in Al Jumurrhyah street.

  • Baghdad, Iraq Feb 14, 2003.Dove seller during the Friday animal market in Al Jummurhyah street.

  • Babylon, Iraq, Feb 15, 2003.Throughout Iraq, large rallies against war followed the Feb. 14th Hans Blix UN report and subsequent speeches by Security Council members at the UN in NY..

  • Babylon, Iraq, Feb 15, 2003.Throughout Iraq, large rallies against war followed the Feb. 14th Hans Blix UN report and subsequent speeches by Security Council members at the UN in NY..

  • Baghdad, Iraq Feb 14, 2003.Mr. Abu Nagim, 76, a clothes repairer, lives alone in a 2m by 2m basement room in the Al Rashid souk.

  • Baghdad, Iraq Feb 14, 2003.A watchmaker shop in Rashid street is decorated with Panarabic political memorablia: Nasser, Qassim, King Hussein, Saddam Hussein are represented amongst other popular figures such as singers, poets and actors.

  • Baghdad, Iraq, Feb 14, 2003.Street scene at dusk.

  • Baghdad, Iraq, Feb 18, 2003.Children waiting for their father in a 1967 Volkswagen beetle.

  • Baghdad, Iraq, Feb 19, 2003.A day at the races: Iraqis, like all Arabs, love horse racing; the Equestrian Club, is a popular race track in Baghdad..Races are held 3 days a week, betting is fierce...

  • Baghdad, Iraq, Feb 19, 2003.A day at the races: Iraqis, like all Arabs, love horse racing; the Equestrian Club is a popular race track in Baghdad..Races are held 3 days a week, betting is fierce...

  • Baghdad, Iraq, February 20, 2003.James Deans's New York on the wall of an ancient cafe..Baghdad cafes are a trademark of this ancient city, men gather after prayer and play dominoes or blackjack with intense passion while drinking black or lemon tea or traditionnal arabic coffie (ka'wah). .As the American menace of invasion draws nearer, tension is clearly perceptible: in any war, the civilian population endures a heavy burden...

  • Baghdad, Iraq, Feb 20, 2003.Woman crossing the Tigris river during a sand storm on the Shuhada (Martyrs) bridge.

  • Baghdad, Iraq, Feb 20, 2003.The Tigris river during a sand storm seen from the "Martyrs'bridge".

  • Baghdad, Iraq, Feb 21, 2003.A bus stop in Al Jumurryah street..As the menace of an American military intervention becomes more precise, tension shows on the faces of the people of Baghdad.

  • Baghdad, Iraq, Feb 22, 2003.Neya, 10, bottom right, cries as her aunts and baby cousin Ahmed,center, are leaving for Amman, Jordan, taking advantage of the new cheap ($5 instead of $400) exit visas delivered by the Iraqi government.

  • Baghdad, Iraq, Feb 22, 2003.Neya, 10, cries as her aunts and baby cousin Ahmed are leaving for Amman, Jordan, taking advantage of the new cheap ($5 instead of $400) exit visas delivered by the Iraqi government.

  • Baghdad, Iraq, Feb 23, 2003.A woman beggar eating a frugal meal on the sidewalk in front of a small restaurant in central Baghdad. Many war widows have no better alternative than to live in the streets.

  • Baghdad, Iraq, Feb 24, 2003.Brath'a children cemetery. Infant and children mortality has increased very substantially since the Gulf War, malnutrition affecting millions of Iraqi children..The 12 years UN-imposed embargo on Iraq has been the direct cause for hundreds of thousands children deaths.

  • Baghdad, Iraq, Feb 24, 2003.Fresco to the glory of Saddam Hussein on the wall of "Iraqi Family Village", a orphanage sponsored by the Iraqi President himself.

  • Baghdad, Iraq, Feb 27, 2003.Iraqis LOVE football...before sunset, Baghdad's public parcs are full of enthousiastic friendly competitions.

  • Al Tajih, Iraq, March 01, 2003.Iraqi soldiers on leave board a bus for the ride home.

  • Baghdad, Iraq, March 02, 2003.American way of life in Baghdad...

  • Baghdad, Iraq, March 02, 2003.A streetside private gas station and garage in Baghdad. Iraq's oil ressources (2nd in the world) are at the heart of the present international crisis, its outcome will determine which US or European oil companies will benefit from this huge treasure...

  • Baghdad, Iraq, March 03, 2003.Night prayer for a ICRC (International Comity of the Red Cross) worker in the "7 Samud" water plant in western Baghdad; this crucial civilian infrastructure site was bombed in 1998 by the USA against international law.

  • Ctesiphon, central Iraq, March 04, 2003.Iraqi families picnic under the great arch of Ctesiphon, (built during the 3rd century BC, it is the biggest brick arch in the world) on the first day of the holy month of Moharram, commemorating the departure of prophet Mohammed from Mecca to Medina.

  • Ctesiphon, central Iraq, March 04, 2003.Iraqi families picnic under the great arch of Ctesiphon, (built during the 3rd century BC, it is the biggest brick arch in the world) on the first day of the holy month of Moharram, commemorating the departure of prophet Mohammed from Mecca to Medina.

  • Baghdad, Iraq, March 05, 2003."Fedayin" (volunteers to the supreme sacrifice) during a parade of the Iraqi Ministry of Interior forces.

  • Lhej, central Iraq, March 06, 2003.A rural school. .12 years of UN imposed sanctions have pulled back several decades Iraq's population, especially in rural areas. Chronic malnutrition is common for children, a new conflict could be a humanitarian disaster for the up coming generation.

  • Baghdad, Iraq, March 06, 2003.Sabah, a fisherman, prays on the Tigris river bank after sunset, next to the Shuhada (martyrs) bridge.

  • Baghdad, Iraq, March 07, 2003.The gate to the Daurra oil refinery.

  • Baghdad, Iraq, March 07, 2003.A country under influence...outside the office of the Iraqi Minister of Information.


  • Baghdad, Iraq, March 12, 2003.An employee cross-taping hotel windows in prevention of a potential US air strike against Baghdad.

  • Baghdad, Iraq, March 13, 2003.On the morning of Ashura (commemoration of the death of Imam Hussein), Shia'i women praying inside Al Khaddamein mosq, one of the most important Shia'i shrines in Iraq.


  • Baghdad, Iraq, March 14, 2003.A new fountain to the glory of Saddam Hussein in front of the Al Khaddamein mosq, one of the most important Shia'i shrines in Iraq.

  • Baghdad, Iraq, March 14, 2003.Before Friday evening prayer at Al Khaddamein mosq, one of the most important Shia'i shrines in Iraq.

  • Baghdad, Iraq, March 14, 2003.A man chants a Coran surat just before the Friday evening prayer in Al Khaddamein mosq, one of the most important Shia'i shrines in Iraq.

  • Kerbala, Iraq, March 15, 2003.Local tribesmen having meeting for tea before taking part to a rally supporting Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.

  • Baghdad, Iraq, March 18, 2003.A few hours after Bush's ultimatum to Saddam Hussein, defiant Iraqis supporting the ruling Baas party parade in the streets vowing to resist the US attack until "final Victory".

  • Baghdad, Iraq, March 19, 2003.Despite a US air attack expected within hours causing most of Baghdad's souks to be deserted, morale is high and inhabitants keep a very friendly attitude to foreigners...

  • Baghdad, Iraq, March 2I, 2003.Issiyah, 24, right, is a member of Baghdad's civil defense force, he is defending a portion of King Ghazi street.

  • Baghdad, Iraq, March 2I, 2003.Football game in the People'Stadium, the Nedjaf team (in white) beat the Iraqi air force team (in blue) 1-0.

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