Jane Arraf reports for IraqSlogger and has posted an article about a recent patrol with troops of the 5th/ 20th Infantry which highlights the difference between being a guest soldier protecting civilians and being a member of an occupying army.

Baquba - It’s early morning and there is the incongruous, cheery sound of birds chirping as this street rings with the bang of metal gates being kicked in and locks being wrenched apart – a grating sound like teeth being pulled out with pliers.

Purple bougainvillea spills from the high walls in front of the houses. The sunshine hasn’t begun to burn yet as soldiers from the Strykers 5th battalion 20th Infantry Regiment go from house to house looking for fighters and weapons in neighborhood thought to harbor al-Qaeda. There are no polite knocks. They operate on the assumption that when the gate or the door swings open there could be gunmen behind it.

At this house they’re met at the gate by Selma and her two eldest daughters, determined to leave for school despite the soldiers and armored vehicles in the streets and the possibility of getting caught in crossfire. The girls, dressed in black skirts and flowing white blouses with blue headscarves covering their hair, are more worried about being late. They’re sitting for high-school exams and the school was closed for the last two days because of fears by the government the students would be kidnapped.

“It will take us an hour to get there and we want to be on time,” says Yasmine, who is 17.

There is no electricity, no telephones, no taxis, and no cars. There is no radio or television service to tell them if the school will be open. The girls will have to walk to the school, just in case it is open. Selma has no way to know if the school will be open today, and is fearful to send her daughters, although everyone in the family wants to see the girls complete their education.

Ms Arraf speaks some Arabic and unexpectedly the reporter, ostensibly an observer, finds herself placed in the position of participant as translator.

“It won’t be dangerous for them?” her mother asks me. “I’m so afraid for them. Should I tell them it’s alright to go?” she asks me to ask the soldiers.

The platoon commander, 1st Lt Thomas Gaines tells her it’s fine. He radios to his soldiers moving through the neighborhood to let them know that the girls will be walking through the area.

‘”Thank you,” Yasmine says solemnly in her high school English. “Goodbye,” says Sabreen, enunciating each syllable.

Selma, watches them as they walk away. “I’m so afraid for them,” she tells me.

The US occupation might be unwelcome in many parts of Iraq, but life goes on, accommodations must be made, and sometimes people of good heart make contact with each other.

Usually a house search only takes a few minutes, but this house seems well-situated to be a temporary patrol base, a chance to monitor the neighborhood. The prospect terrifies Selma.

If you stay here, they will say we were cooperating with the Americans and they will come and attack us,” she says. …

Selma worries: “When you’re finished here you’ll leave and what about tomorrow? We have no neighbors, there is no security here.” She tells me her uncle was kidnapped four months ago – they paid the ransom money that was asked – all the money they had she says – but they still have no news of him.

The soldiers stay. Even among people of good heart the country is occupied, and the fear of being associated with the occupiers is tangible.