Makeshift walls line Baghdad's streets

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http://www.suntimes.com/output/iraq/cst-nws-iroad27.html

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- They're set up on roads all around the Iraqi capital, sometimes rusty car skeletons, washing machines or home appliances piled together, sometimes piles of garbage or dirt. Often a gunman keeps watch for any strangers.

Desperate to protect their homes from sectarian violence, Baghdad's residents have turned to makeshift roadblocks. In some areas, the majority of streets are blocked off or protected by homemade barriers that slow traffic. snip

Some of the barriers are sophisticated, built in curved ''serpentine'' shapes that allow traffic to pass at a reduced speed. Residents said this would allow them to fire back at roaming militants.

American soldiers complained the barriers slow down U.S. vehicles trying to catch insurgents or those responsible for sectarian killings.

But some soldiers sympathized.