‘That ugly game': an Iraqi war survivor reflects on the invasion of Ukraine

Mazin Alhaidari lived through more than two and a half decades of war and sanctions in his native Baghdad, Iraq, before settling in the Sacramento area in 2008. 

Those experiences have led him to avoid news reports about the war in Ukraine, but is sympathetic to the suffering of people who are dying and facing sanctions. Alhaidari describes war as being between politicians and governments, and not benefiting regular people in any way. 

“I don’t want anybody to face what we faced before,” he said from his Carmichael home. 

Alhaidari offered reflections on his own experiences in light of the war in Ukraine and lessons he has learned.

Paul Conley and Helga Salinas assisted in the editing and production of this story.