In this image taken on January 15, a woman walks through central Baghdad, Iraq, crossing a bridge over the Tigris River. CNN's Michael Holmes is in the Iraqi capital for the first time in two years. Click through to see images from Holmes and CNN producer Hamdi Alkhshali.
Scenes from Iraq —
In this image taken on January 15, a woman walks through central Baghdad, Iraq, crossing a bridge over the Tigris River. CNN's Michael Holmes is in the Iraqi capital for the first time in two years. Click through to see images from Holmes and CNN producer Hamdi Alkhshali.
Hamdi Alkhshali/CNN
Former interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, seen here in an interview with Holmes, became Iraq's first head of government following the overthrow of the Saddam Hussein regime. Allawi spoke to CNN about the current government and the sectarian violence among ethnic and religious groups in Iraq.
Scenes from Iraq —
Former interim Prime Minister Ayad Allawi, seen here in an interview with Holmes, became Iraq's first head of government following the overthrow of the Saddam Hussein regime. Allawi spoke to CNN about the current government and the sectarian violence among ethnic and religious groups in Iraq.
Hamdi Alkhshali/CNN
Holmes says traffic jams are a way of life in Baghdad. Just moving around the city is an exercise in moving from one checkpoint to the next.
Scenes from Iraq —
Holmes says traffic jams are a way of life in Baghdad. Just moving around the city is an exercise in moving from one checkpoint to the next.
Michael Holmes/CNN
Holmes says getting around the city is as difficult as ever, but despite the checkpoints, the violence in Baghdad is as bad as it's been in years.
Scenes from Iraq —
Holmes says getting around the city is as difficult as ever, but despite the checkpoints, the violence in Baghdad is as bad as it's been in years.
Michael Holmes/CNN
Central Baghdad's Firdos Square, where the <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcnn.com%2F2003%2FWORLD%2Fmeast%2F04%2F09%2Fsprj.irq.int.war.main1400%2Findex.html%3Firef%3Dnewssearch">statue of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was toppled in 2003</a>, as seen on January 14.
Scenes from Iraq —
Central Baghdad's Firdos Square, where the statue of former Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein was toppled in 2003, as seen on January 14.
Michael Holmes/CNN
CNN's Hamdi Alkhshali says the pole of Saddam Hussein's famous statue is still standing 11 years after the U.S. invasion in 2003.
Scenes from Iraq —
CNN's Hamdi Alkhshali says the pole of Saddam Hussein's famous statue is still standing 11 years after the U.S. invasion in 2003.
Hamdi Alkhshali/CNN