Some people will never accept the facts at face value...the entire Sunni region has turned against al qaeda and they still find fault with US supporting the Sunni, they were the ones in 2004 complaining the US was not supporting the Sunni.

glenroy, napa, ca

Good article.

Kate, New York, US

I don't know what this is supposed to prove.

The guy may just be unbalanced.

There are people who simply love fighting and killing.

JOHN CHUCKMAN, toronto, Canada

The key aspect here is that the new recruits are on the "payroll" of the USA. They are basically mercenaries. If the other side comes up with a better offer tomorrow , they will switch allegiance again. This is true in Iraq and also in Afghanistan.

Hamad Lone, London, England

highlights the mistake of not maintaining the army after the war. If these guys had been treated with respect and offered the chance of taking control of their own future would we have had the same problem with the influx of foreign insurgents.

Grant, Bingley, West Yorkshire

Interesting interview.

However, one must remember that as a Saddam-loyalist, and a man who clearly did very well under the previous (psychopathic, totalitarian) regime, Mr Abdullah's emotional journey since the invasion is far from typical.

For instance, it is telling that he describes the immediate aftermath of the invasion as "one of the darkest moments" of his life, when a great many Iraqis, as you will all remember, celebrated on the streets with unfakeable joy.

Given his life as a Major under Sadaam, it is little wonder that Mr Abdullah felt hostility to Coalition forces. Many Iraqis, for instance those with family members emprisoned or killed, may have felt differently.

However his revulsion towards al-Qaeda does seem to be a widespread, and highly encouraging development. Peace be upon him and his family.

Jacob A, London,

Joe from Edinburgh: easy for you to say. You have no idea what this man has been through or why he has made the decisions he has.
If he was killed perhaps you would prefer this, but either way you think you get to cast shame and blame, on your bete noire, the US and its forces. You aren't listening to his story.
Blame your country, even if Scotland separates; blame yourself, even if you say 'it was the toffs not me' - the British brutalized that part of the world earlier and far longer, and you will not be allowed to sidestep it. Look to your own reputation.

Kevin, Christchurch, NZ

"I fought for my land against the US. Now I fight alongside them"

And then....back to fighting U.S?...Repeat until zero oil in Middle East. Then there will be peace.

Mohammed, London, UK

All this would not have happened if we had not destryed the country in the first place
What a disaster,
are Bush and Blair

K. Urban, London, UK

Perhaps a good way to create peace in Iraq would be to offer the insurgents an amnesty if they change sides and join the Iraqi army.

John , Melbourne, Australia

I think rkb is burying his head in his hands. It has been proven beyond a shadow of doubt that Abu Graib was a place for torture, humiliation and degradation to the prisoners. If someone states they were there and were mistreated then I for one would believe them first before thinking that they were one of the lucky ones who were treated well.

America should be ashamed of the way the troops have behaved in this conflict and it will be a stain on their reputations forever.

joe, Edinburgh, Scotland

It's interesting to hear that this man was supposedly mistreated. As a former member of the US Army all I can say is that when I was serving, this sort of thing was severely looked down upon and considered to completely unpalatable by the leadership, and that's why I have so little inclination to believe stories about torture. I'm not saying out of hand that he's lying or imagined it but just that it's very unbelievable to me.

I have seen lot's of pictures of Iraqi forces smiling and sharing jokes and cigarettes with US soldiers lately, and singing and dancing with the "occupiers". It's a very good thing to see, a war on it's war to ending -- and really, being won by the good guys.

JSD, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA

How sorrowful to read people taking this man at his word without further proof that he was indeed mistreated. Rita's naivite might be charming if so much were not entangled in it.

rkb, NYC,

At some point, they will all grasp that the removal of Saddam gave their children a chance at a good life. It is difficult to change your ways after so many decades of oppression, violence and misery.

Patrick Henry, Bristol,

What a sorrowful report to hear that Mr. Abdullah's experience as a prisioner of US troops was one of brutality devoid of kindness. There is such a thing as respecting human dignity even in imprisonment with all due respect to justice . And women doing evil is more wretching. Lord, have mercy.

Rita, OKC,