NAJAF, Iraq, Sept. 15, 2004 — In spite of damage inflicted during clashes between the new Iraqi security forces and Moqtada al-Sadr’s militia here two weeks ago, the city now has a smile on its face.

Once under tight control of Sadr, the citizens here were bullied, harassed and even killed if they offered any resistance.
Today, the fear is gone, and the city is rebuilding in the wake of war.

A drive through the littered streets is met with friendly waves and thumbs up signs from children and adults working alongside the road. Expressions of relief from militant rule has left young and old with feelings of hope and anticipation of a better future.

“We are happy now because Al Sadr is gone,” said a young man who only identified himself as “Amir” in the farmers’ market area. “We now want things put back up.”

Work on hospitals, schools, streets, water systems are again underway as well as clean up and new restoration projects. Electricity and drinking water were restored within hours after fighting ceased.

The Ministry of Electricity mandated shortly after the cessation of fighting that Najaf receive 24 hours of power as long as was needed, and the Ministry of Water moved workers in to restore drinking water within hours of the withdrawal.

“We don’t blame Americans, but we do want them to clean it up,” said an elderly gentleman wearing the traditional shirt-like dishdasha and shawl as he pointed to a pile of rubble where stores used to stand. “Now, not later, now. We want to get our live on and return to normal.”

Returning to normal was a universal goal echoed by the crowds of young and old who lined the streets of the city. Their polite gestures of friendliness spoke great hope, but their body language cried impatience.

Governor Adnan al-Zuhfa has put the full weight of his office behind the efforts to clean up debris that litters the streets and return sanitation to full operation. He has let the interim government in Baghdad know he is looking to them for additional assistance and money.

More than 100 projects have been either re-instituted or begun with funding from various ministries of Iraq as well as multi-national sources.