JANE HUTCHEON: Hassan Abed Akel has been driving the 800 kilometre Amman to Baghdad run for 30 years.But today it's just a spin around the block for his sons.He's due to go to Baghdad any day now.But the worsening violence made him delay the trip.
HASSAN ABED AKEL, DRIVER (ENGLISH TRANSLATION - NO SPLIT AUDIO ON THIS GRAB): We're forced to go because there's no other work.I've known drivers killed leaving the American bases in Iraq, in parks and at rest houses.Another was killed and then he had his eyes gouged out.
JANE HUTCHEON: Since the war ended, Jordanian companies have won lucrative contracts to supply the US-led coalition.But as the battle to secure Iraq continues, transporting those goods has become an increasingly dangerous business
Mohammed Hosni, a father of nine, risked the trip until June.His truck was attacked as he left the infamous Abu Ghraib prison, delivering goods to American soldiers.SABHA
ISMAIL, MOTHER (TRANSLATION): He left Jordan on a Monday, died in Baghdad on a Wednesday and we found out on a Thursday.It was the other drivers who told us he died.
JANE HUTCHEON: Now his wife and elderly mother pray for God to take care of them.He was the family's only breadwinner.The Truckers Union represents the kingdom's 11,000 drivers.Just 2 per cent, or around 200, have work.Everyone here has a story of a lucky escape.Ali Musa's truck was destroyed.He was struck by a rifle in the head and chest.This is where we found Abu Ahmed Ajouri, who owns three trucks.
ABU AHMED AJOURI, TRUCK OWNER (TRANSLATION): All my life's work, nearly 35 years worth, I lost all in five minutes because I was dealing with the Americans and the coalition.
JANE HUTCHEON: Abu Ahmed Ajouri watches Iraq's growing lawlessness with sadness and anger.In July, one of his trucks and its driver went missing.The other two trucks were torched.After his driver disappeared, Abu Ahmed Ajouri has vowed never to work for the Americans again.
ABU AHMED AJOURI (TRANSLATION): I won't work for them again.This was my punishment.Dealing with the Americans was wrong.
JANE HUTCHEON: The Arab world views the occupation of Iraq as a colossal humiliation.Jordan's Government discreetly supported the toppling of Saddam Hussein, but popular sentiment is behind the Iraqi people.
DR LABIB KAMHAVI, POLITICAL ANALYST: A lot of Jordanians blame the Jordanian truckers for conducting business that is against the interest of the Iraqi people.Any business that consolidates and helps the occupation regime is, by definition, against Iraq interest.
JANE HUTCHEON: Hassan Abed Akel treasures his children, fearful he may soon pay the price of being what many call a traitor to the Iraqi cause.
HASSAN ABED AKEL (TRANSLATION): An Arab country occupied?How can I accept that?It's the legitimate right of the resistance to defend their country and get the Americans out.
JANE HUTCHEON: Each trip refused is $4,000 less for his family.His only option is to keep travelling the highway, knowing that the next trip could be his last.
HASSAN ABED AKEL, DRIVER (ENGLISH TRANSLATION - NO SPLIT AUDIO ON THIS GRAB): We're forced to go because there's no other work.I've known drivers killed leaving the American bases in Iraq, in parks and at rest houses.Another was killed and then he had his eyes gouged out.
JANE HUTCHEON: Since the war ended, Jordanian companies have won lucrative contracts to supply the US-led coalition.But as the battle to secure Iraq continues, transporting those goods has become an increasingly dangerous business
Mohammed Hosni, a father of nine, risked the trip until June.His truck was attacked as he left the infamous Abu Ghraib prison, delivering goods to American soldiers.SABHA
ISMAIL, MOTHER (TRANSLATION): He left Jordan on a Monday, died in Baghdad on a Wednesday and we found out on a Thursday.It was the other drivers who told us he died.
JANE HUTCHEON: Now his wife and elderly mother pray for God to take care of them.He was the family's only breadwinner.The Truckers Union represents the kingdom's 11,000 drivers.Just 2 per cent, or around 200, have work.Everyone here has a story of a lucky escape.Ali Musa's truck was destroyed.He was struck by a rifle in the head and chest.This is where we found Abu Ahmed Ajouri, who owns three trucks.
ABU AHMED AJOURI, TRUCK OWNER (TRANSLATION): All my life's work, nearly 35 years worth, I lost all in five minutes because I was dealing with the Americans and the coalition.
JANE HUTCHEON: Abu Ahmed Ajouri watches Iraq's growing lawlessness with sadness and anger.In July, one of his trucks and its driver went missing.The other two trucks were torched.After his driver disappeared, Abu Ahmed Ajouri has vowed never to work for the Americans again.
ABU AHMED AJOURI (TRANSLATION): I won't work for them again.This was my punishment.Dealing with the Americans was wrong.
JANE HUTCHEON: The Arab world views the occupation of Iraq as a colossal humiliation.Jordan's Government discreetly supported the toppling of Saddam Hussein, but popular sentiment is behind the Iraqi people.
DR LABIB KAMHAVI, POLITICAL ANALYST: A lot of Jordanians blame the Jordanian truckers for conducting business that is against the interest of the Iraqi people.Any business that consolidates and helps the occupation regime is, by definition, against Iraq interest.
JANE HUTCHEON: Hassan Abed Akel treasures his children, fearful he may soon pay the price of being what many call a traitor to the Iraqi cause.
HASSAN ABED AKEL (TRANSLATION): An Arab country occupied?How can I accept that?It's the legitimate right of the resistance to defend their country and get the Americans out.
JANE HUTCHEON: Each trip refused is $4,000 less for his family.His only option is to keep travelling the highway, knowing that the next trip could be his last.