Syrian President Ahmed al-Shaara: In 2003, there was talk of American troops entering Iraq. My sense of solidarity took me to Iraq to defend them and confront the American Israel at that time. That was my main motivation. I had no organizational affiliations. Actually, I went to Iraq before the Americans came in. I went there to wait for them when they came. I went alone, without any organizational affiliation.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Shaara: In 2003, there was talk of American troops entering Iraq. My sense of solidarity took me to Iraq to defend them and confront the American Israel at that time. That was my main motivation. I had no organizational affiliations. Actually, I went to Iraq before the Americans came in. I went there to wait for them when they came. I went alone, without any organizational affiliation.