💔 In the heart of Basra, southern Iraq, a mother's tears tell a story of unseen battles. Bushra, a mother of four, gazes at her children with a mix of love and despair. \"One's like this. Another's the same. I'm at my wits' end,\" she whispers, her voice heavy with anguish.
During the 2003 Iraq War, the U.S. military used depleted uranium (DU) munitions against armored vehicles. While DU is known for its armor-piercing capabilities, it's also a Group I carcinogen, according to the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Today, the remnants of these munitions lurk as silent threats, believed to cause severe health issues among locals.
Bushra's eldest son tragically passed away at just 7 years old. Her daughter now suffers from congenital brain damage. Bushra believes that DU poisoning is behind their suffering. She poured all her savings into treatments, clinging to hope. But when a doctor told her it was a futile effort, that hope shattered. \"Nothing is more painful than losing hope,\" she confides. Watching her children suffer, knowing she can't help, is a torment no mother should endure.
🌍 The scars of war aren't just on the battlefield; they linger in the lives of innocent families. Bushra's story is a poignant reminder of the hidden costs of conflict. As we swipe through our feeds and share stories, let's not forget the real people behind the headlines. Their struggles might be miles away, but their dreams and hopes resonate with us all.
🤔 How can we, as a global community, bring attention to these silent battles? Awareness is the first step. Let's stand with mothers like Bushra, amplifying their stories and advocating for a safer world.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
