At least 1 million Iraqi's have left Iraq

[killerbush]

At least one million people that used to call Iraq home, have left because of safety reasons, and have fled to Jordan, Syria, and other parts of the middle east, trying to get away from the escalating violence that has gripped the country since the invasion in 2003.
Most Iraqi's have nowhere to turn simply because they are under threat from roving gangs, and revenge killings. Said one businessman, we are like sheep in a slaughter barn. In our town once, we had 2000 people, now we have only 200. He and his family are packing up to try to live in Jordan.


http://www.iht.com/articles/2006/05/18/news/baghdad.php

[Ravenseye]

1. And that doesn't count the ones who left in the past 50 years

Ever since the King was overthrown people have been streaming out of Iraq in ebbs and flows. The Iran Iraq war caused a whole bunch more to leave, as did the sanctions. Now this. The vast majority with the means or education have left. I shudder to think where this leaves Iraq.

I speak from experience. As an Iraqi American I know that all but a few of my family have fled the country over the past half century. Now we only have a couple more to get out, and we're working on it. My Grandmother is insisting on packing up her house before she leaves. Hopefully within the month we'll have her out to Jordan, and then get her into Greece with one of my Aunts.

But yeah...most people who CAN leave, are. It's leaving a vacuum in the country when it comes to doctors, engineers, and educated people who are needed to rebuild the country.

[cantstandbush]

2. Were they some of the ones who came back and left again?

Was it this bad under Saddam, really?

[beachmom]

3. See this thread, please -- 25% of Middle Class Iraqis have fleed

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=364x1234120