Iraq policeman determined to stay

Amid ongoing attacks on Iraqi security forces, the BBC's Dumeetha Luthra in Baghdad went to find out the impact of such attacks on one Iraqi policeman - and why he continues to do his job.

Iraq's new security forces are in training - tasked with taking over responsibility for security in Iraq from the Americans one day.

Daily dread: Iraqi policemen live in constant fear of attack

The idea is an important one, despite the fact that there are still 160,000 US-led forces there. Iraqis want to see Iraqis protecting them.

But there is a price.

Every night Captain Ghanim Saba's family welcome him home with relief. He has been a policeman for more than 10 years. He was on duty when a recent car bomb targeted his police station.

Mr Saba says it will not intimidate him to give up the job, but it is innocents who end up suffering.

"All of us have families - the insurgents have families too. Their families are waiting for them to get home safely. They should remember our families are also waiting for us to come home safely," he says.

He has only been married nine months. His wife, Wafa Salis, says she waits by the phone every time there is an explosion. But she is proud he is a policeman.

"It's not logical; if I ask him to quit and other wives ask their husbands to quit, who will stay to protect the country? So we have to stay in the police even though I'll keep on worrying about him."

No shortage

Each search carries a risk. Every day there are threats and incidents against the forces.

Since the new government came to power at the end of June, more than 160 people have been killed in attacks against the police and army.

But there is still no shortage of volunteers. The economic situation means a steady salary is hard to find.

Iraqis are asking who will provide security if the forces themselves are so vulnerable.