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billvon 3,011
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This is looking worse and worse. The last thing we need at this point is another My Lai.
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Military to Report Marines Killed Iraqi Civilians
By THOM SHANKER, ERIC SCHMITT and RICHARD A. OPPEL Jr.
Published: May 26, 2006
WASHINGTON, May 25 — A military investigation into the deaths of two dozen Iraqis last November is expected to find that a small number of marines in western Iraq carried out extensive, unprovoked killings of civilians, Congressional, military and Pentagon officials said Thursday.
. . .
Officials briefed on preliminary results of the inquiry said the civilians killed at Haditha, a lawless, insurgent-plagued city deep in Sunni-dominated Anbar Province, did not die from a makeshift bomb, as the military first reported, or in cross-fire between marines and attackers, as was later announced. A separate inquiry has begun to find whether the events were deliberately covered up.
Evidence indicates that the civilians were killed during a sustained sweep by a small group of marines that lasted three to five hours and included shootings of five men standing near a taxi at a checkpoint, and killings inside at least two homes that included women and children, officials said.
That evidence, described by Congressional, Pentagon and military officials briefed on the inquiry, suggested to one Congressional official that the killings were "methodical in nature."
. . . .
Military investigators have since uncovered a far different set of facts from what was first reported, partly aided by marines who are cooperating with the inquiry and partly guided by reports filed by a separate unit that arrived to gather intelligence and document the attack; those reports contradicted the original version of the marines, Pentagon officials said.
One senior Defense Department official who has been briefed on the initial findings, when asked how many of the 24 dead Iraqis were killed by the improvised bomb as initially reported, paused and said, "Zero."
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Military to Report Marines Killed Iraqi Civilians
By THOM SHANKER, ERIC SCHMITT and RICHARD A. OPPEL Jr.
Published: May 26, 2006
WASHINGTON, May 25 — A military investigation into the deaths of two dozen Iraqis last November is expected to find that a small number of marines in western Iraq carried out extensive, unprovoked killings of civilians, Congressional, military and Pentagon officials said Thursday.
. . .
Officials briefed on preliminary results of the inquiry said the civilians killed at Haditha, a lawless, insurgent-plagued city deep in Sunni-dominated Anbar Province, did not die from a makeshift bomb, as the military first reported, or in cross-fire between marines and attackers, as was later announced. A separate inquiry has begun to find whether the events were deliberately covered up.
Evidence indicates that the civilians were killed during a sustained sweep by a small group of marines that lasted three to five hours and included shootings of five men standing near a taxi at a checkpoint, and killings inside at least two homes that included women and children, officials said.
That evidence, described by Congressional, Pentagon and military officials briefed on the inquiry, suggested to one Congressional official that the killings were "methodical in nature."
. . . .
Military investigators have since uncovered a far different set of facts from what was first reported, partly aided by marines who are cooperating with the inquiry and partly guided by reports filed by a separate unit that arrived to gather intelligence and document the attack; those reports contradicted the original version of the marines, Pentagon officials said.
One senior Defense Department official who has been briefed on the initial findings, when asked how many of the 24 dead Iraqis were killed by the improvised bomb as initially reported, paused and said, "Zero."
If the wire from an IED ran to that house and those at the taxi stand were spotters, then what would you say?
QuoteIf the wire from an IED ran to that house and those at the taxi stand were spotters, then what would you say?
I'd still say it's wrong to shoot unarmed civilians, especially women and children. I've yet to see it established that this is what happened, but things are certainly pointing that way. In any case, the cover-up attempts suggest that your scenario wasn't the case.
Blues,
Dave
"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)
(drink Mountain Dew)
Alias 0
QuoteI would prefer to see all the facts and interview every witness before coming to the conclusion it was a " cold blooded murder".
This is horrible - face it. The facts that have come out should provide enough evidence for you at this point. There was a cover up. That's a fact. The Marines of Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines have rotated back home, to California. Last month, the Marine Corps relieved Lt. Col. Jeffrey Chessani of command of the 3rd Battalion. Two of his company commanders were relieved of their commands, as well. I'll guess your response will be the only reason was because there is an investigation?
QuoteI don't know if you ever served but if you had you would realize the fear put into our troops about illegal killings. This fact makes the entire incident a bit suspicious.
How so? The fact that the Marine commandant is dedicating his recent unscheduled trip to Iraq to renforce the need to refrain from war crimes underscores the severity of what happened Nov. 19 in Haditha. Face it! It happened the way it is now being told.
QuoteI am not in favor of prosecuting troops just to satisfy politicians, and or Iraqis, if there was a crime then let it be investigated.
To satisfy politicians and or Iraqis? How about code of conduct? Are you serious??
There is an investigation and it doesnt look good! Does it!
QuoteI would also like to point out that if an IED goes off in front of your home there is a high degree of certainty that you either witnessed it being placed or were involved in it directly.
An 8-year-old boy, five young girls and a 1-year-old girl???? What the hell are you saying again?????
It's apparent by every account; Iraqi witnesses, hospital workers, Navy investagtors and others, that this happened the way it was portrayed. No, not the cover up part.
The Marines paid compensation put variously by townspeople at $1,500 or $2,500 for each of the 15 men, women and children killed in the first two houses....lies I guess? All lies to you by your comments.
Wow!
Carpe Diem
billvon 3,011
>If the wire from an IED ran to that house . . .
Ah, you're right. The 1 year old did it. Good thing he was blown away. (Or perhaps they accidentally confused him with an 18-44 year old arab male.)
Ah, you're right. The 1 year old did it. Good thing he was blown away. (Or perhaps they accidentally confused him with an 18-44 year old arab male.)
You're right that he's not naming his sources, but in this article it does suggest "insider" knowledge:
IF true, it sucks.
Blues,
Dave
(drink Mountain Dew)
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