In the early hours of March 20, 2003, the U.S.-led coalition invaded Iraq and overthrew Saddam Hussein's government, when I was 25 years old.
It was just after midnight, and I had just finished a quick meal and walked the streets of Baghdad back home.
Earlier that night, only a few shops were still open, and people rushed home before midnight curfew, with anxiety and anticipation of war clearly on their faces.
A few seconds later, I heard a loud bang and my father shouted: "War, war! The war has begun! ”
The loud explosion forced me to instinctively bend down and cover my head with my hands.
The fear of an uncertain future becomes all too real when the sound of air raid sirens cuts through the dark, cold winter night, warning us of impending bombs and missiles.
During the Iran-Iraq War in the 80s of the 20th century, when I was a child, I was already familiar with the loud wailing sirens, but they always made my heart beat faster.
The noise that echoed throughout the city sounded like a thousand hungry wolves, howling in unison.
The ensuing aerial bombardment was the beginning of the invasion and a demonstration of military might that few of us have ever seen.
A few days later, the bombing finally began to subside, probably because a huge sandstorm that swept through Baghdad brought an ominous red light to the city.
I remember someone saying that this storm was a gift from Allah because it hindered the advance of American troops, but it was only a temporary reprieve, because by April 9, the US army occupied Baghdad and toppled the bronze statue of Saddam Hussein, a scene that will remain in people's minds forever.
That moment was proof of the proclamation of the end of an era in Iraq.
Today marks the twentieth anniversary of the 2003 Iraq War, which successfully overthrew Saddam Hussain's regime.
The invasion that year, and the invasion that followed, still flashes in my mind.
Some Iraqis were happy to end Saddam's regime, while others were angry and many were confused.
They don't know what to do, and they have mixed feelings.
After the invasion, the country fell further into chaos, and at that time, I felt that better days would surely come and we would become a modern country like Japan or Germany after World War II. The reality is very different.
The 2003 war was followed by years of conflict and violent upheaval, resulting in thousands of Iraqis dying and millions fleeing.
Iraq has descended into chaos, and Iraqis have witnessed seemingly endless violence, an uncertain future and a loss of government trust.
With countless street fights between U.S. troops and militias, dozens of car bombings and kidnappings ensuing, Iraqis have lost hope for a better future for their country.
Most of us don't know the politicians who arrived with the U.S. military.
These politicians told Iraqis they were fighting Saddam's regime and vowed to make Iraq better again.
After the coalition falsely claimed that Iraq's hidden weapons of mass destruction justified the invasion, the U.S. government made another huge mistake.
Providing democracy to Iraqis — many of whom have spent their entire lives ignorant of voting — proved to be a costly mistake.
People were encouraged to participate in the 2005 elections, but most voting was based on sectarian beliefs.
After the outbreak of sectarian wars, the results were disastrous, pushing Baghdad into another terrible era of bloodshed and front-line fighting.
At its lowest point, 0% of Iraq's population was captured by the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, which wanted to establish an Islamic caliphate.
As Iraq descended into chaos, brutal fighting to retake Mosul and other cities soon followed.
Up to 4 million people left the country before the 2003 war.
The invasion will only accelerate this trend, as the number of displaced persons inside and outside Iraq will surge to 9 million by 2020.
I have witnessed the impact of sanctions 13 years before the United States invasion and the embargo that devastated Iraqi society and impoverished millions. As a result of the sanctions, thousands of Iraqi children have died needlessly from malnutrition and lack of medicines.
But the impact of the U.S. invasion is painful and difficult to understand.
In 2003, the demands of the Iraqi people were simple: we needed safety, good education and health care.
But fundamentally, we need effective governance from officials who want the best for Iraq.
These needs will still exist in 2023. Corruption is rampant in Iraq and unemployment is alarmingly high.
A widespread public distrust of the government's ability to deliver services and security has led many to question whether it all is worth the turmoil and heartbreak of the war, which has destroyed so many lives.