I was also in Al Kut from May 2003 thru August 2003. I agree that the locals were very welcoming and mostly hospitable, but so were all Iraqi's to one's face. The food and water I disagree on completely. Food was abundant if you had money or something to barter with- most Iraqi civilians did not. Drinkable water was non-existent. I never ventured out into town without taking a few cases of bottled water knowing full well what everyone wanted. Good Luck with your new "firm" friends Mr. Davidson, it has been my displeasure to learn that most Iraqi's are concerned mainly with survival and will latch on to anyone that carries themself with an aura of power or self confidence, but are quickly forgotten once out of sight or at least out of striking distance.

(Posted by guest: Brian Moore)

Dear Mr davidson, I read your comment regarding your experince in staying in Al-kut city with interest. I come from that part of Iraq, but now I live and work in the UK. I am glad that you enjoyed your time in Al-Kut and that you have found the people friendly and happy,dispite the fact that they had lived under the tryannical rule of the dictator Saddam where they have been deprived the basic human rights. I hope with the demise of Saddam's regime the people of Al-Kut and all Iraqis will be able to rebuild their shattered lives again and can they live in peace and harmony. Finally, you are welcome to visit Al-Kut or any part of Iraq anytime.If you need help please donot hestate to get in touch, my e-mail address is homeali2000@yahoo.co.uk

(Posted by guest: Hameed)

Dear Mr. Hameed i am very much interested in knowing kut people. The main reason is that Kut is a city of my beloved. I am very much eager to find out about his family. Would you be kind enough to help me out please???

(Posted by guest: Nina)

Dear Nina, What do you like to know about Al-Kut and its people? Just tell and I will be more than happy to answer your questions. Best wishes Hameed

(Posted by guest: Nina)

dear if you need to help tell me,and you will find me and my friends soon........ Eng.hussien hussientj@yahoo.com

(Posted by guest: hussein tukhm)

I don't recall Mr Davidson or Mr Moore from the above posts, however I would have to agree with Mr Davidson's assesment. I'm disappointed that Mr Moore is so skeptical of Iraqis. I was in Al-Kut and Wasit from April to September 2003 and was able to make many friends there. To be sure, we had enemies in the area, but far and away the people of Kut and Wasit were accepting and friendly after a short period of skepticism and fear of Americans. To the people of Wasit, I continue to pray for your freedom and well-being. One day, I will return to visit and rejoice. al hamdulillah

(Posted by guest: David Couvillon)

Mr David Couvillon, You are welcome anytime to my home town. I pray to Allah that the dark days of the dictator Saddam will never come back. Iraq is a better place than during his days. I wish you all the best Hameed

(Posted by guest: Hameed)

I was also there from April-Sept 03 and loved the people, food, and culture. My platoon lived in the fire station next to the al-aliza school across the river from the main section of town for over a month. The firemen really made us feel at home and it was hard to leave them. If you ever get by there tell the that Mr Browen says Hi and misses them. sdbrown1@yahoo.com

(Posted by guest: Shane Brown)

I am with Weapons Co. If you werew at the fire station, do you remember us dropping off a puppy to the Iraqi firemen? 2/8 gave it to us, and we were forced to give it up by our former 1st SGT. I would love to know what happened to it (named Avril). Hit me back at w0258588@selu.

(Posted by guest: LCpl Larsen )

I was also in al kut and helped name the puppy i was in weapons company 2/8 and recently recived a letter from an iraq that i was friends with there, do you know of anyone who is still there so i can get a message to them?

(Posted by guest: Steve)

I was also in Al Kut Iraq from April until September of 2003. Although we didn't know what to expect upon arrival, we found an overwhelming majority of the people to be very freindly. I have fond memories of the children waving to us as we passed by and how they would get so excited if we were even in the vicinity. I wish nothing but the best for the people of Iraq and hope peace will be brought to them all very soon.

(Posted by guest: Ryan Cesky)

I am from kut, I left the city 1993. and now I am living in UK. and all these years I never been there. I can't imagine how my city look like. What is your opinion about the life and the people there? I suppose to go back to kut, but I am not sure about security there. bye and good luck!

(Posted by guest: faris)

I was also in Al Kut Iraq from April to Spetember of 2003. Just as others before have said, I have fond memories of the people and children native to the area. The greeted us warmly upon our arrival, and they were always helpful to point out weapons, or those who were harboring them. OOH-RAH Cesky. How's everyone with 2/23?

(Posted by guest: Brian Bigelow)

Concerning Al-Kut, by the time we had began using the airfield there as our forward area of operations it was set up pretty nice. I lived in the old HQ building across the street from the Marines chowhall. Half of the building was burnt out and the other served as a make shift barracks. It wasnt like we were living in a house, but at least we had a reprieve from the damn dogs and the sun. As for the locals, they were nice to our faces but you got the feeling that they would stab you in the back if they got the chance. CENTCOM's HQ out in town had it made they lived in a hotel which had a restaurant. But I wasnt about to eat food in a place like that, seeing as though we had just handed these peoples military's ass to them. And the Tigris, gotta love those mosquitoes, thanks for the Malaria or whatever it was.

(Posted by guest: Marine "Gunfighter")

hey dude, I was over in KUT may to sept, same time I agree whole heartly. Iraq and its people are a swell bunch a cats. Of course wouldn't you be if some funny looking dude in desert tans and four of his friends were driving around in a 240 mounted hardback...."protecting you" Its just a face game I belive a large majority of the people there searched only for hand outs to satisify their own personal needs and really do not care about their countries future. I've watched many of Iraq's people loot and steal from each other tear large spools of electrical cable out of the ground to sell as scrap metal for personal gain. Good people sure they are but not for a scond would they turn their backs on you to a higher bidder/cause...

(Posted by guest: ice270cal)

Brett is right on - people there are great. Definitely the warmest, friendliest people I met in Iraq. Not to mention Brett himself, who despite being a lousy Brit, was a hell of a good guy. Great time smoking those hookahs in front of the Hoose...

(Posted by guest: The Air Force guy)

I was with Charlie Company 4th LAR in Al Kut in March and April of 2003. I was at that same airfield and it was my platoon that first secured the Ba'ath party headquates that was next door to the hotel with the restaurant. I did have the chance to eat there once after we had been in the city about 7 days and the food was quite good and the cold soda was heaven compared to the ham slice MRE's we had so much of. In my experience the people were very friendly and inquisitive. I don't believe most of them had any hostile feelings towards us whatsoever. Sure there were a couple but that is true anywhere. I must admit I was a bit nervous our first night at the ba'ath party building when a large crowd of demonstrators (more than 2000+) marched infront of the building and started chanting and yelling. We did not have a translator at the time so we had no idea what they were saying or what their intentions were. There we only 24 of us so had things gone south we would have been very much outmanned. We did take some fire at night, but most of it was from the tower on the other side of Tigris or from just North of that dam/bridge and was far enough away that there never was a clear target to return fire at. I like Badrah more than Al Kut.

(Posted by guest: Sand Flea)

My son is stationed in Kut now after having been stationed in Baghdad for a year. He flies a Kiowa . Send any info to Ncoleman@wycokck.net. Thanks

(Posted by guest: ncoleman)

Hi, My husband also is in Al Kut with the same troop that your son is in. He has only been with the troop since February. Unfortunately, he had to return home when his father passed away. But now that the troop has been extended, he is on his way back to be with your son and the rest of the troop. My husband also flies Kiawa's. I don't have any info for you at this time except that I hear things are not as bad as they had expected over there. Please email me at beans4245@yahoo.com if you need someone to talk to and I'll try to give you any info that I can. Hope all is well with you. Hang in there, B

(Posted by guest: BKnotwell)

Hello all!! My name is Mary. I was in Al Kut from April 03 to September 03. I say Al Kut is a decent place to live. I am also in the Army. My email address is rentacop18@hotmail.com if anyone wants to chat.

(Posted by guest: Mary)

I have an army friend over in Iraq. He is now stationed in Al Kut. He has been there since may04. He has been over in Iraq since 01. He has got to come home but then leave right away. My e-mail address is bubbapackers@cfu.net

(Posted by guest: jordyn schreiber)

my Husband came home from Iraq on March 30th after being in Iraq almost a year. He had to go back to Iraq on May 01 and tree days later he was in Iraq. He is coming home soon . My Girls and I miss him so much

My son must be with your loved one. He too had the same schedule, home March 30, redeplyed May 1. We have not heard from him since father's day and all he has said is he knows when he is coming home, cant say but when talking to dad he said, "fix my truck ASAP" We patiently wait for any news and ready to travel to Ft polk at anytime. we live in Arkansas and have been at polk for every deployment.

Hi there my Husband is with 1/2 ACR B- Trp. Here is my e-mail dalila35@hotmail.com I talked to my Husband 2 days ago

im interpeter in al kut its very save city

(Posted by guest: jack)

My son is also stationed in Al-kut...after being there for over a year now. If busch wants to see moral, have him look a kid in the face when he is told the day before coming home that he is to spend another 4 months in iraq...i don't think he would like what he sees

(Posted by guest: rd)

My daughter, as well, was advised just days before the date she was scheduled to redeploy that she would be remaining in Iraq. She probably was disappointed, but she never let on for a second. Instead she realizes the absolute need for continuity of forces in this war, and our family doesn't place blame on President Bush or anyone, except the terrorists, Al Sadr, Osama bin Laden, etc. for her having to stay. Pray and trust God to take care of your son, and be proud of what he's doing for the Iraqi people and all of mankind. The war will either be fought on foreign soil or here. I prefer it be fought on foreign soil.

(Posted by guest: Audrey)

I am truly sorry that happened to him, but that is something all of us who joined the military have to deal with. I was there in 2003, yeah, it sucked, but I'm the one who signed up for it... Your boy is the same way. He'll be home soon, please don't downgrade our Commander-in-Chief due to your hurt feelings.

(Posted by guest: Hawk)

My son is a United States Marine stationed in Iraq. I'll live my whole life and never be the man he already is. He turned 21 last week. None of us get to ride for free.

(Posted by guest: rafael)

my boyfriend is in Al-Kut right now he like many others was also supposed to return home and the day he was to be deployed home he was sent to Al-Kut. It is comforting to hear from you that it is not a horrible place to be I just wanted to say Thank you to all of you for serving our country.

(Posted by guest: Krystle)

I am currently living and working in Manchester UK. Al-Kut is my hometown, which I have left in 1975 and never went back until the coalition force liberated Iraq. I was shocked to see the state of my beloved Al Kut. It was neglected for all these years. I spent three months with my family and friends and I can tell you that it was the best time in my life. The people of Kut appreciate the fact that the US army came to Iraq to liberate and to help the reconstruction of their town. I have met many US soldiers and they are much happier in Kut than in other places in Iraq. Kut is very peaceful city compared to Baghdad, Basra or Falluja. I am going back to visit Kut in November this year and possibly to stay working and living close to my family and friends. Believe my Kut is the nicest please in the world.

(Posted by guest: Dr Gasan Alabedi)

Dear Dr.Gasan, I am from kut as well. I am living in Leeds for 8 years. I like your comment about Kut. I am thinking to go back but I am still working here. Can you explain me more in details the life and the situation there? Many thanks in advance!

(Posted by guest: faris)

Dear Frasi, I read your reply to Gasan's e-mail with interest. Which part of Al kut do you come from? I am from Al kut city too

Hello, all you former residents of al-Kut. I'm writing a novel in which the Garden of Eden appears magically in the agricultural area between al-Kut and the lake to the southeast of the city. I would very much appreciate any information you can share with me about this area. I think the lake is named hor al-abjiya, but I'm not sure. I'd like to know what crops are grown in the area between the city and the lake. Can anyone enlighten me? Thanks.

(Posted by guest: Gary)

al kut river

(Posted by guest: ahmed)

Dear Faris, Could you please contact me on: alabedi2@maktoob.com Regards Gasan

(Posted by guest: Gasan)

Dear Gasan, I like your article, well done. I think you know me!-leave to you to guess

(Posted by guest: Bin Al-Kut)

Dear ibn Al-Kut, If you would like to contact me please write a message to: G.Alabedi@textiles.umist.ac.uk Kind regards Gasan Alabedi

(Posted by guest: Gasan)

I WAS IN AL-KUT IRAQ FROM APRIL TILL AUGUST 2003 WITH THE NAVY SEABEES. NEVER WANNA GO BACK

(Posted by guest: Jeremy)

you know us crasy killas 2-23

(Posted by guest: mex connex in iraq)

My husband is headed there. He has already been in some horrible places. Can you tell me what living conditions are like there, safety level, and maybe something about what the city looks like? My email address is Chrisyloomis@aol.com

(Posted by guest: christy)