West

The Sunni heartland stretches from Baghdad  through Fallujah across the Euphrates to Ramadi until it reaches the Jordanian border. The immaculate  six-lane highway was almost deserted as it was reserved for passenger vehicles only. Parallel to it, the old highway was jammed with countless fuel trucks heading towards Jordan in violation of the UN embargo.  These illegal oil sales supplied the Baghdad regime with the necessary cash. The first thing travelers to Iraq saw was a large portrait of Saddam Hussein in traditional garb, to which those who departed could turn their back.