Baghdad diary

John Hughes-Jones is working closely with American and Iraqi colleagues

On Monday it became clear that the United Nations is re-assessing its presence and security in Iraq after a suicide attack left two people dead and injured at least 12 others.

As tensions and the death toll continue to rise, North Wales Police Superintendent John Hughes-Jones continues his work with a team of police experts sent to Iraq to advice on rebuilding the country's police force.

Here in the latest excerpt from his diary, he shares the ordeal and dangers his work involves.

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Tuesday, 2nd September

News filters in to the conference hall about an explosion at a Baghdad police station. Chief of police Hassan leaves quickly, along with his advisers.

Soon I learn that in fact the target is the Baghdad police headquarters at Rasafa.

It is a suspected car bomb and many are injured.

This is too close for comfort, I visit this building often for meetings.

Some people were seriously wounded in the blast at Rasafa

Later chief Hassan returns and he tells me the grim news that the has lost another officer, he says: "This was meant for us".

His office is destroyed along with the conference room that we meet in.

The conference closes mid-afternoon, then it's a quick dash to the airport for the RAF flight to Basra and an onward flight home to the UK for a short spell of leave.

At the airport, I am contacted by BBC Wales about the day's events.

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Wednesday, 4th to Wednesday 11th September

Normality! Visits to the family, domestic chores, a pint of Guinness, an Indian meal and the luxury of not having to constantly be on alert.

I attend the wedding of two of our close friends but escaping from Iraq is not that easy.

Everyone is curious and concerned in equal measure.

I have lunch with local media contacts and visit police headquarters to speak to a small group of North Wales officers who have expressed an interest in serving in Iraq in the future.

Oh yes, it rains...almost forgotten what it felt like.

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Thursday, 12th September

The long journey back...the flight arrives at the same time as others bringing in UK troop reinforcements. Basra airport is a sea of desert camouflage.

I meet an airman from Porthmadog, also on his way to Baghdad. He speaks Welsh.

As we talk I find that I once worked with one of his relatives. It's a small world!

The day has a sting in the tail. My colleagues are unable to meet me at the airport.

A major gun battle is ongoing outside our hotel. Welcome back to Iraq!

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Monday, 15th September

Attend the weekly Baghdad police chiefs meeting at a local military police base.

During the evening we hold a farewell dinner for our Singaporean colleagues.

The evening is rounded off by some traditional Arab music and dancing and an impromptu hokey-cokey!

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Tuesday, 16th September

The Singaporeans' flight time is changed and we find ourselves and the military escorting them to Baghdad Airport at night.

There is a power cut, and the city streets are dark and deserted as we move through them, nerves on edge and guns at the ready.

Troops face attacks almost daily

We scan through the darkness looking for any signs of movement until we reach the main highway to the airport, the scene of frequent ambushes on coalition vehicles.

Then it's flat out until we reach the airport perimeter and safety.

As we say our goodbyes, the sky is lit up by a flare being fired nearby, a dull boom followed by brilliant orange light which sinks slowly in the sky.

Helicopters fly overhead, unseen in the darkness. The sounds of their rotors add to the sense of menace that pervades the night sky.

Our goodbyes said, we dash back into the city, now lit up again.

The power is back on but the streets remain deserted.