The Fight for Falluja | 360 VR Video | The New York Times

Summary

In this gripping account, journalist Ben C. Solomon and his collaborator MZ Majid Muhammad spend a month embedded with Iraqi forces as they fight to reclaim the city of Fuiya from ISIS. The video chronicles the intense combat, moments of downtime, and the haunting aftermath of years of violence. As ISIS fighters make their final stand, civilians caught in the crossfire grapple with devastation and displacement. The film paints a raw portrait of war's brutality and its human toll, illustrating both the resilience of Iraqi fighters and the profound suffering of those who lived under ISIS rule.

Takeaways

• 😀 A sniper is carefully aiming at an ISIS soldier in Iraq during the ongoing conflict.
• 😀 Falluja, Iraq, once home to nearly 300,000 civilians, is now a ghost town, devastated by years of fighting.
• 😀 Ben C. Solomon, a journalist for the New York Times, and his collaborator MZ Majid Muhammad spent a month embedded with Iraqi forces fighting ISIS in Falluja.
• 😀 The Iraqi militia forces, while unorganized and mismatched, are tasked with retaking Falluja from ISIS, facing danger from nearby enemy fighters.
• 😀 The intensity of war is balanced with long periods of downtime, where fighters spend time waiting, joking, and adjusting to their environment.
• 😀 As ISIS forces weaken, civilians begin streaming out of Falluja, and the Iraqi forces advance into the city.
• 😀 The battle in Falluja is particularly dangerous as ISIS fighters make their final stand in the Jolan neighborhood, the site of past American fighting in 2004.
• 😀 After ISIS forces are either killed or flee, the city is quiet and eerie, with Iraqi soldiers investigating the remains left by the enemy.
• 😀 Captured ISIS fighters' cells are discovered, revealing the brutal conditions they used to hold prisoners, including small cages that are reminiscent of dog crates.
• 😀 The brutality of both ISIS and the Iraqi forces is evident, as a decapitated ISIS soldier is displayed as a gruesome reminder of the war's harshness.
• 😀 Refugee camps on the outskirts of Falluja, housing over 80,000 civilians, offer extreme conditions, but the displaced families are mostly grateful for safety after years of hardship under ISIS rule.
• 😀 Despite the retaking of Falluja, the future of Iraq remains uncertain, with violence and devastation continuing throughout the country, leaving the future bleak for its people.

Q & A

What is the primary setting of this video script?

The primary setting of the video is the city of Fuja, Iraq, which has been heavily impacted by years of conflict, particularly with ISIS. The video focuses on the aftermath of battles and the struggles of the civilian population.

What role does the filmmaker, Ben C. Solomon, play in the narrative?

Ben C. Solomon is the filmmaker and journalist documenting the events. He spends a month embedded with Iraqi fighting forces, filming the battle for Fuja, the city’s retaking from ISIS, and the experiences of both soldiers and civilians during and after the conflict.

Who accompanies Ben C. Solomon during his filming in Iraq?

Ben C. Solomon is accompanied by his collaborator and translator, MZ Majid Muhammad, as they document the military efforts to retake Fuja from ISIS control.

How does the script describe the state of Fuja before the fighting?

Before the fighting, Fuja is described as a ghost town, once home to nearly 300,000 civilians, now reduced to a grim symbol of violence and despair after being under ISIS control for two years.

What is the state of the Iraqi forces fighting in Fuja?

The Iraqi forces are portrayed as a ragtag group of Shia militia with mismatched uniforms and little organization. Despite this, they are determined and involved in a tough and dangerous battle against ISIS.

How does the script describe the conditions at the refugee camps around Fuja?

The refugee camps surrounding Fuja are described as harsh and unforgiving, with high temperatures reaching 120°F, inadequate shelter, and a lack of basic supplies, forcing many civilians to live outside in the hot sand. Despite the dire conditions, many refugees express gratitude for their survival.

What is the significance of the captured ISIS flag shown in the video?

The captured ISIS flag, held upside down by Iraqi soldiers, is a symbol of disrespect and victory over ISIS. It reflects the Iraqi forces' triumph in reclaiming the city from ISIS control.

What brutal display is mentioned in the video regarding ISIS prisoners?

The video highlights a brutal scene where the body of an ISIS soldier, beheaded and bound, is left on the street. Iraqi militia fighters are seen taking photos with the body, underscoring the violence and brutality of the conflict.

What challenges do civilians face after being displaced from Fuja?

Displaced civilians face numerous challenges, including extreme living conditions in refugee camps, lack of shelter, food, and water, as well as the trauma of living under ISIS control and the ongoing violence surrounding their displacement.

What is the general sentiment of the civilians regarding their future in Fuja?

While some civilians express a desire to return to Fuja once it is safe, others, like Abu Ail, feel disillusioned with the city's repeated destruction. For some, the prospect of rebuilding their lives elsewhere seems more appealing, as they've suffered from a lack of security for decades.