Missing American soldier in Iraq

Copyright Susan Opton

Iraqslogger reports:

Photographer Suzanne Opton says she wanted to capture the faces of people who had seen things that were unforgettable when she did a series of portraits of soldiers at Fort Drum three years ago.

One of them was [Specialist] Alex Jiminez, [25,] one of four soldiers declared missing in Iraq this week - captured or killed after an attack on their humvees south of Baghdad.

As the New York Times reported two days ago:

The area south of Baghdad where [the alleged abduction of the] soldiers occurred, known as the “triangle of death,” has been perpetually difficult for the American military to control.

As Sheik Ali al-Hatim, the leader of the Dulaimi tribe in Mahmudiya, told the Times:

“A number of parties are involved in this — Al Qaeda and other militias,” he said. “The situation in the area where the incident took place is very dangerous. Al Qaeda has been knocking on people’s doors and telling them that their sons between the ages of 20 and 30 must join their organization.” He said the Americans have detained at least 50 people in the search.

Well at least we know why the locals aren't being very helpful to the Americans.