Perspective: Anbar home to poverty, violence and fear

Of Iraq's 18 provinces, Anbar has witnessed more fighting and killing than any other since the US-led occupation of Iraq began in late 2003. While US forces flushed out a number of Sunni insurgent groups there in military operations in 2004 and 2005, the insurgents have returned and escalating violence has prevented NGOs and aid agencies from reaching people who desperately need food and medical supplies.

Anbar residents say that ever since former president Saddam Hussein was overthrown, they have lived in constant fear.

"During Saddam Hussein's rule ours was one of the most prosperous areas in Iraq and was developing fast. But after the US-led invasion, all that development was destroyed in a few months. As if that was not enough, we are also scared of the sectarian violence that is getting worse by the day in this area," said Abu Mustafa, a 39-year-old resident of Ramadi, the province's capital.

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