Time Travel 04: I Fight the US in the Middle East

Gunfire erupted at Abu Ghraib prison as hundreds of armed men launched a desperate charge, falling in droves. Their hearts were filled with the grand ideal of rescuing their leader, but reality shattered them!

In Sadr City, they had beaten the Americans to a pulp and thought the Americans weren't such a big deal.

but now……

The U.S. military has suddenly become a highly efficient killing machine!

Those who could be fooled were not particularly clever, but extremely devout. They originally planned to launch a sneak attack, but when they suddenly found themselves surrounded, they began a desperate counterattack!

However… Abid had a premonition that something was wrong, and while the others continued their charge toward the prison, he shamefully chose to escape.

Even if he truly believed in the saying that the dead go to heaven and there are seventy-two virgins there, he still felt that it was better to be alive!

When they discovered that Abid had disappeared, they instantly felt cheated, and... they really regretted it!

I fought and won battles with Azzam, and I was wiped out with Abid! How could I have been so stupid? I shouldn't have listened to Abid's lies!

Unfortunately... there's no going back in this world! The US military has already surrounded them; none of them can escape!

At the same time, inside Sadr City, the Mahdi Army's armed personnel broke into smaller groups and quietly slipped away under the cover of night!

The fighting at the prison was intense, and the helicopter units were unable to be deployed. Therefore, the US troops near Sadr City were all mobilized to provide reinforcements!

Even if they knew there were still remnants of the Mahdi Army inside Sadr City, they couldn't keep a close watch on them. They might even leave a loophole, and perhaps those Mahdi Army members who bombed the Victoria base would go back.

Riding on the success of the prison defense, the U.S. military will then mobilize more troops to completely annihilate the Mahdi Army!

The bombing of Victoria base is something the US military absolutely cannot let go of!

Inside the Green Zone of Baghdad, the headquarters of the 1st Armored Division was filled with the joy of victory. At this time, they were unaware that 500 Mahdi troops were already moving eastward!

The US military's control over Iraq was not strong, and it was mainly concentrated along the major highways in the big cities. Once it entered the countryside, it was the guerrillas' domain!

The Tigris and Euphrates rivers flow through the land of Israel, creating the Mesopotamian Plain, the most famous plain in the Middle East, with Baghdad located in its heart.

To the east of Baghdad lies Diyala Province, and to the east of Diyala Province are the rolling Zagros Mountains, beyond which lies Langtau!

Back then, Shadam launched a fierce attack on Langtuo, splitting into three armies. However, the northern and central armies were unable to advance at all, as mechanized units could not be deployed once they entered the mountainous area!

They only made some progress along the southern coast before encountering the blood city of Khorramshahr, turning what was supposed to be an 1980s war into a WWII-level conflict.

just now……

The pickup truck drove to Mandali, a border town at the foot of the mountains.

To the east, towering mountains rise, and the nearest place is the small town of Yilam in Langtuo.

Looking at the snow-capped peaks, the sun overhead doesn't seem so hot anymore.

The surrounding land is covered with citrus and date palm trees, which are also traditional agricultural products of Diyala province.

The air was thick with the scent of rural life, and the place was eerily quiet, as if the fighting in Baghdad had nothing to do with them; for them, there was only the trauma of the Iran-Iraq War…

On the bus, Ali-Hazem was still remarking, "Leader Azzam, this new base you found for us looks very good!"

It's only about a hundred kilometers from Baghdad, so we can get there anytime we need to!

It's very quiet here, and it hasn't been infiltrated by American influence, which makes it easier for us to develop and grow stronger!

If the US military comes to encircle and suppress them, they can easily sneak into the mountains and enter Langtuo's territory. Would the Americans dare to cross the border to attack?

Azam smiled and said, "This place is certainly good. It's a famous guerrilla zone in later generations!"

After the United States occupied Iraq, the guerrilla forces quickly and vigorously developed!

The most suitable region for guerrilla warfare is the northeastern part of Iraq, with its rugged terrain and numerous caves. In later times, after losing its base in Mosul, the extremist group ISIS waged guerrilla warfare here, and it is said that they even planned to dig tunnels to Baghdad, which seems quite difficult.

The second most suitable area for guerrilla warfare is the rural areas and surrounding desert regions of Anbar province, especially the area around Fallujah. The vast desert and tribal settlements provide ample space for guerrillas to operate!

The remnants of Saddam Hussein's forces and Sunni tribal militias are active here.

but……

These are all too far from Baghdad!

Establishing a base in an unfamiliar place is not easy, and both the Mahdi Army and Juba the Grim Reaper are famous in Baghdad. They cannot be too far from the political center, as they can always return to assert their presence!

Therefore, the area bordering eastern Diyala province and Langto is the best choice!

As they were talking, a group of people appeared ahead, playing hand drums, blowing trumpets, and singing folk songs.

Ahead of the crowd was a luxurious Mercedes-Benz G-Class, where the old village chief, Sheikh, stood with his eyes shining.

"Chief Hamed, Juba the Grim Reaper has arrived!"

Ahmed Kassen Hamed, chief of the Juaifel tribe, a tribe that has spread widely, covering most of Diyala province!

This is also one of the reasons why Azam chose Mandali: everyone is from the same tribe!

Ahmed Carson Hamed exclaimed excitedly, "Our Death God Juba has become the number one anti-American leader in the Yi Tuo tribe! This is the glory of our Ju'aifeier tribe! The two hundred warriors selected by the tribe will also join this team!"

Sheikh's heart skipped a beat. Chief, what do you mean by this? Are you planning to plant your own people in the organization?

At this moment, the pickup truck convoy stopped, and Azam jumped out and quickly walked in front of Sheikh.

"Village chief, you've worked hard."

"It's no trouble at all. Come, Azam, let me introduce you. This is Chief Hamed of our tribe!"

Ahmed Kassen Hamed smiled broadly at Azam: "Brother Azam, you've brought glory to our tribe! You've fought brilliantly lately! The tribe is proud of you!"

"Thank you for the praise, Chief. The main fighting force is actually the Mahdi Army. Let me introduce you. This is Amr Al-Wan Ibrahim, this is Khalil Maliki, and this is Ali Hazim."

Ahmed Kassen Hamed warmly extended his right hand: "Brother Amr, you've worked hard!"

"It's not hard work at all; it's all thanks to Leader Azzam's excellent leadership!"

What?

Ahmed Kassen Hamed didn't react immediately: "What did you say? Leader Azzam? Isn't your leader Sadr?"

"He used to be, but... he has shamefully become a traitor, so we, the Mahdi army of Sadr City, have all decided to follow Leader Azam!"

Ahmed Kassen Hamed was utterly shocked. He had intended to treat Azam as a young man from a tribe, someone he, as chief, would have a say in. Now… Azam had suddenly become the leader of the Mahdi Army, which meant… he was now on the same level as Azam!