IN THREE DAYS SHE DROVE FROM IRAQ TO BELGRADE: Ivana drove 3,000 kilometers fleeing the war in the Middle East!

Ivana Vasić from Belgrade drove 3,000 kilometers fleeing the war in the Middle East and in three days arrived by car from Iraq to Belgrade.

-When planes were flying above my building, I decided to leave, says Vasić and adds that everything reminded her of the experience from 1999 and the bombing of Serbia: “My dogs carried my fear during the journey to Belgrade, they are always there to support me,” says Ivana, who is a fitness trainer by profession.

Ivana Vasić has been living and working for eight years in Erbil — the capital of Iraqi Kurdistan located in the north of the country. That border area has in recent years often been hit by attacks and tensions.

Precisely because of the worsening security situation and fear for her own life, she set off alone with two dogs on a journey to Belgrade. Fitness trainer Ivana Vasić told RTS that she is in contact with clients who live in Iraq and that the situation has slightly worsened since the moment she left Iraq.

-My clients write to me that projectiles are falling on buildings, it is not safe. While I was there, I heard the sounds of planes above my building, that triggered me to head to Belgrade – said Vasić.

According to her, in Iraq there is no system for informing citizens what will be targeted and it is not known when strikes will occur, so in recent days she did not leave her apartment nor socialize with friends in cafes.

Ivana Vasić said that it had happened before that the airport was targeted, but it was somehow known it would be targeted. She pointed out that she, like many foreigners in Erbil, lived near the airport, but despite occasional strikes she had never until now felt that she needed to leave.

-Now there was a big difference. It reminded me of the experience from 1999. I live alone with two dogs – says Vasić, emphasizing that foreigners were much more frightened than the local population.

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-The local population was not afraid, they asked me why are you leaving. I answered bombs are falling. They say that is normal, bombs fall next to you, they will not hit you – noted the fitness trainer.

Life and challenges in Iraq

As she said, eight years ago an ethno gym was opened in Erbil and eight Serbs went there to live and work, however, during the coronavirus period all except her and one more girl returned to Serbia.

-I lost my job and stayed in an unfamiliar city. I lived with an Arab family so I did not have to pay rent – says Vasić.

According to her, the city of Erbil itself is the oldest city in the world and is very nice to live in.

-My father said when he visited me that the energy of the city is special. It is a calm and family city, you can earn well. One Serbian family with three children lives there. They are currently in Serbia, but if the situation calms down they will return as well – says the interviewee.

Fear and return to Belgrade

Ivana described how she felt when she left the city and while driving to Belgrade.

-I am leaving eight years behind me, leaving people who are like family and now I am starting a new life. I would like to keep something from the past – says Vasić, adding that her dogs “held her fear” while she was driving 1,000 kilometers per day.

As she said, she passed near the Iraq-Syria-Turkey border, precisely on the day when it was announced that that area would be targeted.

-People helped me a lot during the journey when they saw I had a Serbian passport and was driving Iraqi plates. They asked me what I was doing there and helped me – says Vasić, adding that she especially felt fear during the night.

According to her, when she left Iraq she felt safe.

-I have myself and I choose to be safe. When a person faces fear, they grow. I have grown a lot after this. I think there will be a continuation of the story, I came with their car, I cannot sell it here, I have to go back at least to settle the apartment – explained Vasić.

She noted that she still works online and is in contact with clients from Iraq. One of them told her this morning that strikes occurred near her house and that she was very frightened.