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

What election? Bullshit!

This first provisional government was appointed by the Americans!

Whoever kowtows to the US the most and wags their tail the most enthusiastically will become a high-ranking official in Iraq!

"After this period of tireless work, our Provisional Governing Council of Iyad has finally completed the nomination of government leaders," Paul Bremer said, looking at everyone present. "First, the Prime Minister will be Iyad Allawi!"

"This job is crucial, requiring comprehensive responsibility for core matters such as national security, domestic and foreign affairs, etc. Iyad Allawi, do you know what the first thing you'll do after taking office is?"

Iyad Allawi, leader of the Shiite sect and leader of the Italy National Congress Party, went into exile in Britain during Saddam Hussein's rule.

At this moment, he was beaming with excitement: "Of course I know, to restore oil production, we need the help of our American friends..."

Paul Bremer was very satisfied. This guy really knows what he's supposed to do!

"Oil production is important, but building Iraq's own armed forces is even more important. After all... Iraq's local security cannot be protected solely by the United States. We will leave sooner or later, and your own army must be established as soon as possible!"

The US military has suffered heavy casualties recently, which has greatly annoyed the Pentagon, so... they need to quickly establish a puppet force!

"Hazim-Shalan, you'll be the Minister of Defense!"

"Yes!" The guy almost jumped up.

He was not a soldier at all! He graduated from the Department of Economics and Management at Baghdad University in 1972 and worked in a bank after graduation. He went into exile in the UK in 1985 because of his opposition to Saddam Hussein and then went to work for a real estate company in the UK.

When the Saddam regime fell, he returned to Italy and gained many benefits by currying favor with the Americans!

As for his nomination as Secretary of Defense, an agreement had already been reached that as long as he gains real power, he would give 80% of the money he earns to the U.S. military!

He made a fortune. In 2007, the Eta High Court found him involved in a massive corruption case, with the alleged amount being one billion US dollars, not to mention some bills that have not surfaced!

"The Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs will be Hoshyar Zebari!"

"Yes, thank you, American friends!" The Kurds were finally satisfied!

"Minister of the Interior, Nuri Madran..."

……

After the list was read out one by one, the few Sundanists present frowned. Was the government trying to exclude us? That wouldn't do!

"Immigration Minister Muqtada-Sadr. Oh, and President Yawar!"

Finally, we've come to the Sun faction!

"Yavar, the position of president is very important. As the head of state, one primarily performs ceremonial functions..."

Muqtada-Sadr suddenly felt relieved. This Yawar was a member of the previous interim management committee. He had thought he would get a good position, but unexpectedly... he was just a figurehead!

In Saddam Hussein's era, the president was the supreme leader. Now, in the parliamentary republic system under the leadership of the United States, the prime minister holds real power, and the president is a symbolic figure.

Paul Bremer looked at everyone present: "Ladies and gentlemen, that concludes the announcement of the list. If you have any questions, feel free to come to me privately. If there are no issues, then get started on your work. The 28th of this month will be the day when I officially hand over power to you. By the way, to help you complete the transition as quickly as possible, we will arrange some people to assist you."

Even after the transfer of power, there were still a large number of Americans and British in the interim government of Eto, and they still called the shots in this country!

After making these arrangements, Paul Bremer left the conference room and returned to his spacious office. He had just taken a sip of coffee when Major General Ricardo Sanchez walked in.

"Paul, is everything arranged?"

"Yes, I'd like to see who dares to oppose my appointment..."

Here, Americans are the supreme rulers, and the locals have to listen to them. Anyone who disobeys will be beaten!

The personnel appointments have already been made, and there will definitely be some people who have opinions. They should keep their opinions to themselves. If anyone dares to speak out... well, let's make an example of them! Let them know who's in charge here!

"By the way, is there any news about the remnants of the Mahdi Army lately?" Paul Bremer asked.

The situation was quite serious a while ago, and even the Green Zone was in turmoil. Paul Bremer quickly fled to Kotto and hid there for a month or so!

He only dared to return after Muqtada al-Sadr was arrested and the Mahdi army in Sadr City disappeared, and now...

"No, those men have probably already scattered," Major General Ricardo Sanchez said. "If they had been even a fraction slower, they would have been wiped out by our 1st Armored Division!"

"That's good. Next, we need to thoroughly investigate Baghdad and the surrounding areas to ensure security during the transfer of power, especially... the White House might send people..."

"Understood!" Major General Ricardo Sanchez nodded. "Don't worry, it's absolutely safe here!"

The bombing of the helicopter base last time really shocked the whole country. Everyone thought the Mahdi Army would continue to grow stronger, but unexpectedly... it suddenly disappeared!

These people also knew that the last bombing of the base had already enraged the US military! If they dared to come again, then... they would definitely not leave alive!

Baghdad and the surrounding area are densely populated with checkpoints, and the 1st Armored Division has also deployed a full-scale armored brigade combat team. No matter how powerful the Mahdi Army is, can it confront the US military head-on?

The following days were very peaceful. Not to mention Baghdad, there were hardly any attacks by local armed forces throughout the entire territory of Ithaca!

Afghanistan is difficult to pacify because it is surrounded by mountains, and guerrillas can attack and then run away!

Only the northern part of Iraq is mountainous; Baghdad is surrounded by plains, so the guerrillas have no foothold there!

Time flies, and before we knew it, it was June 28th!

Baghdad International Airport has been under lockdown since yesterday afternoon, creating a sense of oppression for those around it!

That morning, armed helicopters were deployed to patrol and fly over the airport!

One hundred kilometers west of the airport, several people are picking date palms from a date palm tree.

"Boss, the guys monitoring Baghdad airport say the helicopter has already taken off. Looks like... it'll be here soon, right?"

"Yes, it's almost here..." Majid nodded.

If a drone flies too early, it is easy for the enemy to detect it; if it flies too late, it is easy to miss the opportunity!

Just then, a series of roars sounded in the distant sky, and a large passenger plane appeared, accompanied by two escorting fighter jets!

"Quickly, notify the leader to launch the drones!"

"yes!"

In the sky, inside the Boeing 757, Richard Armitage spoke: "Mr. Colin, I really didn't expect you to come along."

"Well, we're just in time, let's go take a look," Colin Powell said.