Travel in Iraq, Still Risky, Does Improve

"ANBAR DESERT, Iraq (AP) - The four-lane highway from Baghdad to Iraq's borders with Syria and Jordan is among the most dangerous in the country, so the unexpected improvements along the road were hard to believe at first.

New restaurants and gas stations have opened, and some are busy with Iraqi customers making the grueling five-hour drive from Baghdad to the borders.

Some of the gas pumps and eateries remain open after dark, even though few people risk driving the highway at night.

During a recent roundtrip drive from Baghdad to Damascus, the road also appeared to be guarded by more U.S. military patrols than ever before, each one made up of several Humvees and armored vehicles.

But the risks remain clear on a highway that passes through the empty desert in Iraq's most dangerous province, skirting militant "hot spots" such as Ramadi. When this reporter stopped at a gas station at dusk to get fuel, an employee refused.

"There is little gas left. We are saving it for mujahadeen," he said, referring to the insurgents. "You better leave now.""
MyWay