Seyyed of Quarters 15 (36)

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

2017-7-3

Seyyed of Quarters 15

Memories of Iranian Released POW, Seyyed Jamal Setarehdan

Edited and Compiled by: Sassan Nateq

Tehran, Sooreh Mehr Publications Company

‎2016 (Persian Version)‎

Translated by: Zahra Hosseinian

A road could be seen along the camp far away. By chance, I looked at there. I saw a line of cars were moving, when looked more carefully. It was mostly like the movement of troops. Thursday, 2^nd August 1990, was coincided with Ashura day. I was surprised by guardians’ cheering and joyfulness on that day, but realized that Iraq has invaded Kuwait and conquered it within a few hours. Iraqi television continuously showed entrance of Iraqi forces into Kuwait territory. Iraqi soldiers expressed their joy and the announcer kept saying Kuwait is the nineteenth province of Iraq, Kazmeh. That evening, Saddam appeared on television and spoke with people. He said they have annexed Kuwait to their own territory within two hours.

I laughed to the world business. Saddam didn’t have human’s nature and could not stay quiet. He had even no mercy on his allies. Some time ago, Kuwait was one of Saddam's supporters. It gave loans to Saddam to bombard Iranian people, and now suffered hardship for spilling the blood of innocent people.

The guardians had not given newspapers of that day. Most of the time, one of Arabic-speaking prisoners or anyone who knew Arabic read the paper and translated for the rest. Sometimes, we gained information from news and articles which were about the state of Iran-Iraq relationships and economic and social problems. Sometimes, the Mujahid magazine of hypocrites was also given along with other newspapers. Everything had been written in the magazine; from marriage of Maryam and Massoud Rajavi to their lectures and ideas of Mojahedin Organization. Sometimes, the boldness of one of their members and his attempt for assassinating and bombing was written with great details. It was written he has martyred and we realized that something has happened. Once, they had confessed that Iranian forces have massacred soldiers and their commanders during Mersad Operation in their attack on Iran; therefore they had complained from Iran to the United Nations Human Rights Council.

One day, the camp commander appeared. He spoke a little and then asked, “Don’t you have any problem?”

“Sir, today's newspapers haven’t been brought.” I got up and said.

He punched and kicked the soldiers and said, “Why you haven’t given them newspapers?”

I understood what hell I have prepared for myself, when the camp commander went. The cables and batons of guardians were awaiting me.

The next day, the photo and interviews of Saddam had been published in Al-Qadisiya and Al-Thawra newspapers along with details of the attack. In one of newspapers it was written that Saddam Hussein has chosen the new head of Kuwaiti government[1]. The guardians spoke proudly about conquering Kuwait and boasted.

***

It was given one razor-blade per ten ones to shave our head. Every few days they did it, and they gave us hell if we lose the razors. We got angry because of Iraqis’ meanness. The razor-blades shaved well the first three or four ones’ face and head, but it became blunt little by little and caused our scalp pain; and the last one’s head became like scattered thorn bushes in the desert. We often laughed over when saw each other’s face. Also, some handy shavers had been delivered in the quarters. It was 14^th August, 1990. We all were busy shaving our head and one of Moein’s song was playing from speakers, when suddenly the song was cut. “I’m Alqayed Saddam Hussein.” the voice said.

The announcer said that he, on behalf of Saddam Hussein, will announce an important news a few moments later. We were sunk in thinking. It was unprecedented. I was thinking what it could be so important.

A few minutes later, the announcer’s voice was played from loudspeakers and the camp interpreter read aloud the Saddam’s letter to Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani, and announced that the exchange of prisoners of war begin in a few days. Laughter and cry mixed together. Some prisoners embraced each other and some ran to inform their friends. These scenes was like a beautiful picture that I hadn’t seen before that day. Those who hadn’t been able to shave their head properly, did not complain about the blunt of razor-blades anymore and with a funny countenance looked for their friends to let them know the news. Unlike other days, if we passed the border line between quarters, they did not tell anything. A number of prisoners entered the other quarters to inform their fellow-citizen and friends. That night, for the first time, several of the prisoners went to other quarters, where they spent a night with their fellow-citizen and friends. “Pray for Saddam who invaded Kuwait, or he didn’t liberate you.” One of soldiers had said to Adel Varqaee, “he wants to imprison Kuwaitis instead of you.”

From that day on, I grew restive. I was waiting for getting into a car and returning to Iran. We couldn’t tolerate much longer, after hearing the news of exchanging of POW. Moments passed slowly. It was as if the hands of clock had disagreed with us. On 7^th September 1990, the Red Cross forces appeared. They registered our names, but we had a lot to say. Most of prisoners complained about the Red Cross’s unawareness. They said that they were aware of the issue more or less, but could not entered the camps of missing because Saddam didn’t allow them. The guardians were carefully watched us lest we reported the Red Cross anything which was not good for them. Instead of putting pressure on the Iraqis, the Red Cross forces told us if we seek refuge, they can help us.

A trailer entered the camp. It was loaded with a lot of Quran book. Iraqis asked one of the prisoners go to the bathroom and after performing an ablution, give each prisoner a Quran. The Qurans were Saddam’s gift and his name had been written on the last page. Many of the prisoners did not want to get it. “Maybe it become a reason to punish everyone.” Adel Varqaee said, “It’s better to get the Quran and tear the last page.”

"I know you are not vengeful,” Hani, camp electrician, said to Adel: “but your name has been reported to the intelligence service. You might get into trouble.”

Hani took Adel to the camp-14, so to be exchanged sooner than prisoners of cam-15. Iraqis gave each prisoners one their own soldiers’ clothe. The clothes were either large or small. Prisoners wandered here and there. Some of them changed their clothes with each other; and some others cut the trousers legs and sleeves down to be fit. We were all ready to move in the morning. The door of quarters was opened. Soldier Seyyed Kazem looked at the prisoners and turned to me and said, “Why did not you fit your clothe?”

It was a little bit loose. “It’s me; that’s it!”, I said.

A few of guardians, who had behaved badly with prisoners, asked for forgiveness, but some of them had looked angrily at us until the last moment.

We rode the buses enthusiastically. I was like a child whose greatest wish has been fulfilled. The others were also like me. I couldn’t help my heart not to pulse fast. I wanted to get away from there as soon as possible, but when the bus moved, I glanced the camp for the last time. Iraqi soldiers had stood there and looked at us. I do not know what they thought on those moments, but I walked on air.

To be continued…