There are 700 Kurdish asylum seekers in Plymouth

There are about 700 Iraqi Kurds in Plymouth, many seeking asylum in Britain.

Many also expressed concerns about the stability of the country following decades of repression.

Some said they feared the end of the current war could just be precede a civil war.

Many of the asylum seekers left behind close relatives and friends to escape the regime.

Ramazan Mohammed says he is astonished by the news

One man said: "We watch news all the time with American troops in Baghdad. We want our freedom. There'll be no more dictator, no more killing, no more blood.

"We are very happy because it is government for Iraq."

But there are also worries that a civil war could now follow in Iraq.

Another man said: "In Baghdad and Basra and in northern Iraq, people are very happy that Saddam's gone.

"But I think everything is not all done. After this war, maybe there could be another."

Future desires

Ramazan Mohammed, who is 17, has been astonished by the news of the Baghdad's fall and the demise of the regime.

He said: "I can't believe it. Sometimes I think I'm living in a dream."

However, he is clear about what he wants for the future.

He said: "Iraqi freedom and everyone have a thing to say about what should happen in Iraq, not like before."