A Teacher Teaching Her Students How to Shoot: A Scene from the Iran-Iraq War – May 12, 1988

A Teacher Teaching Her Students How to Shoot: A Scene from the Iran-Iraq War – May 12, 1988

During the height of the Iran-Iraq War, a striking image emerged: a teacher instructing her students on how to shoot—right inside a classroom. This happened on May 12, 1988, amid one of the deadliest conflicts in the Middle East. An estimated one million lives were lost, and billions of dollars in resources were destroyed.

What Really Caused the War?

Globally, the common narrative is that Saddam Hussein launched the war to conquer Iran. But in truth, it was the United States that backed him with heavy funding and advanced weapons—sourced from Britain, France, Germany, and America itself. Some of these weapons were later seized by Iran and are now preserved in Iranian museums.

America's Real Intention

The U.S. aimed to regain influence over Iran, just as it had during the reign of Shah Pehlavi—before Imam Khomeini overthrew him. The war lasted eight bloody years, and it was not simply a Sunni vs. Shia conflict. It was a war between a would-be colonizer and the colonized—between a thief and his victim.

What Happened After the War?

When Saddam failed to fulfill America's expectations, he turned toward Kuwait, seeking to annex it. This alarmed Saudi Arabia, fearing Saddam might eventually dominate the entire region. So they offered the U.S. vast sums of money to halt him. Ironically, the same allies turned into enemies.

Saddam was eventually captured, tried for crimes that he was initially instructed to commit, and executed in a disgraceful manner on the eve of a major Muslim celebration.

A Lesson for Nigerians

Today, more than ever, it is essential for individuals to learn how to protect themselves—especially in countries like Nigeria, where human life holds little value, and even a four-legged animal has more rights than the average citizen.

HAUSA VERSION

Malama da Harbin Dalibai: Labari Daga Yakin Iran da Iraq (12 ga Mayu, 1988)

A wani lokaci mai zafi na yakin Iran da Iraq, an ga wata malama tana koyawa ɗalibanta yadda ake harbi a cikin aji. Wannan lamari ya faru ne a ranar 12 ga Mayu 1988, lokacin da yakin ya kai kololuwar tashin hankali. An kiyasta cewa sama da mutane miliyan ɗaya sun mutu, kuma an yi asarar biliyoyin daloli a wannan rikici.

Menene Dalilin Yakin?

A duniya, an fi sanin cewa Saddam Hussain ne ya fara wannan yaki domin mamaye Iran. Amma hakikanin gaskiya ita ce Amurka ce ta tallafa masa da kuɗi da makamai masu ƙarfi – daga ƙasashen Birtaniya, Faransa, Jamus da ita kanta Amurka. Wannan makamai daga baya Iran ta kwace su, kuma suna ajiye a gidan tarihi na Iran a yau.

Manufar Amurka

Amurka na son dawo da iko akan Iran, kamar yadda take da shi a lokacin Shah Pehlavi, kafin Imam Khomeini ya hambarar da shi. Shekaru takwas aka kwashe ana wannan yaki – wanda ba ya tsakanin Shi’a da Sunni kawai ba, sai dai tsakanin wanda ke son mamaye kasa da wanda ake kokarin mamaye ta.

Bayan Yakin Iran-Iraq...

Bayan an gaza cimma burin da Amurka ke so a Iran ta hannun Saddam, sai ya karkata zuwa Kuwait. Wannan ya razanar da Saudi Arebiya, saboda tsoron kar ya mamaye yankin su. Sai Saudiya ta biya Amurka kuɗaɗe masu yawa don ta takaita Saddam. A karshe, wanda suke rainonsa ya zama abokin gaba.

An tono shi daga boyewa, aka gurfanar da shi bisa laifin da su ne suka umurce shi, sannan aka kashe shi a wulakance, a wani jajiberen Sallah. Wannan ya nuna yadda duniya ke tafiyar da rayuwa da amfani da mutane kamar kayan aiki.

Darasi ga mu 'Yan Nijeriya

A yau, abu mafi muhimmanci shi ne mutum ya koyi yadda zai kare kansa, musamman a irin ƙasar da muke ciki wato Nijeriya, inda rayuwar ɗan Adam bata da wani garantin tsaro ko adalci. A halin yanzu, dabba ma tana da mafi yawan ‘yanci fiye da talaka.