9 Americans, including 4 civilians, killed in Iraq: bodies mutilated, dragged through streets

msnbc.msn.com ^ | 1:06 p.m. ET March 31, 2004 | NBC, MSNBC and news services

[Destro]

9 Americans, including 4 civilians, killed in Iraq Contractors' bodies mutilated, dragged through Fallujah's streets

NBC, MSNBC and news services

Updated: 1:06 p.m. ET March 31, 2004

BAGHDAD, Iraq - In one of the bloodiest and most horrifying days since the end of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, five U.S. troops and four American civilian contractors were killed in separate attacks in the Sunni Triangle west of Baghdad. After ambushing the vehicle carrying the civilian contractors in Fallujah, jubilant Iraqis burned and mutilated the dead, then dragged two corpses through the streets and hung them from a bridge spanning the Euphrates River.

The brutal treatment of the bodies occurred after the contractors were killed in a rebel attack on their two SUVs in the city about 35 miles west of Baghdad, scene of some of the worst violence on both sides of the conflict since the beginning of the American occupation a year ago.

Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt said at a briefing in Baghdad that it was not known what the coalition contractors were doing in Fallujah — apparently without a military escort — when the attack occurred.

U.S. officials, who spoke with NBC News on condition of anonymity, said that all four contractors were Americans who worked for Blackwater USA of Moyock, N.C. The officials did not confirm reports from the scene that a woman was among the dead.

Blackwater USA supplies security guards to the Coalition Provisional Authority and has provided protection for Iraq administrator L. Paul Bremer, among other coalition officials. The officials said it was not immediately clear what the four people killed Wednesday were doing in Fallujah.

Five U.S. troops killed in bombing The killings of the contractors came shortly after five U.S. troops died when their military vehicle ran over a bomb in Malahma, about 12 miles to the northwest of Fallujah, among the reed-lined roads through some of Iraq’s richest farmland.

[NC28203]

But be prepared for the "W is a weapon of mass destruction" argument from the Left since that is a phrase thrown around by those on the Right about Saddam's tactics.

[AngieGOP]

Hell has overflowed and its denizens are now inhabiting Fallujah.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Did either of you see it on TV, how many were really out participating? It is not hard to get 50-100 nutball leftists out protesting Exxon in Dallas, or crowding the state Capitol viewing areas with bused in rent-a-mobs and their cute little protest sock puppets, but it would be unwise to then conclude that they represent the views of DFW or Texas. Call me suspicious or how this is being reported. Wag the Jihadi. Wouldn't be that surprising for the 'artistic influence' of the Bloodworth-Thomasons, Lehanes, and Mulhollands to move on and go global...

[boxerblues]

http://editorial.gettyimages.com/source/CFW/imageResults.aspx?s=EventImagesSearchState%7C1%7C15%7C1%7C3158991%7C0%7C0%7C0%7C0%7C&p=7

has more pictures from earlier, some with shots of the crowd 25-30 people maybe

[Howlin]

I didn't watch the film when it ran last; I will be sure to watch it the next time MSNBC runs it.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Thanks for the link. This was the biggest crowd shot that I saw: http://cache.gettyimages.com/comp/3176468.jpg?x=x&dasite=MS_GINS&ef=2&ev=1&dareq=03EC40BC14BDF82729F4AC0850C16B7B

Note the ring of young male cretins jumping up and down around the car, just like they used to jump up and down around Saddam. But not much(or any?) visible celebrating in the larger outer ring, though I certainly can't conclude if they also support this barbariousness or are just observing, especially considering how much crowds gather just to gawk in 3rd world countries(different concepts of time, deadlines, and productivity).

I'm guessing we'll get a better sense on all this from the soldiers over there communicating with their relatives back home.

[Rams82]

Hello there, this is Iraqi News and Weather. The forecast for April 2, 2004 for Fallujah is 2,000 degrees and Cloudy...

[boxerblues]

No more than a handful creating trouble, the rest look to be nothing more than those who came by to see what all the commotion was about.

Im sure the deployed freepers over there will be checking in soon, there is usually a shutdown of all communications for a while after anything of this nature.

[tracer]

The Suuni Triangle area containing Malahma and Fallujah without delay must be surrounded, invaded, occupied, and, where appropriate, burned to the ground and the earth salted.

As far as all Saddam sympathizers therein, they should be hunted down, executed, and afforded the same treatment as the Americans that were murderered there, with the exception of the use of tanks to drag their carcasses through their conquered streets.

And cruise missiles to the first anti-American bastards anywhere who open their goat-licking yaps in protest.

America is out of "other cheeks" to turn....

[hattend]

After ambushing the vehicle carrying the civilian contractors in Fallujah, jubilant Iraqis burned and mutilated the dead, then dragged two corpses through the streets and hung them from a bridge spanning the Euphrates River.

Unlike Mogadishu, the so-called Sunni Triangle should be glowing or MOAB'd by the weekend. Go house to house or drop leaflets and tell everybody to get out and then send the whole area further back into the stone age.

[nicko]

I still wear my dog tags...after all these years, I feel naked without them...

[Defiant]

Hey, diddley, if you're through squatting on my post, perhaps you consider this:

Fallujah, unlike many of the other towns where attacks are occurring, is a bastion of Saddam loyalists where foreign fighters, if they are being used, would find safe haven. Just as global security requires draining the swamps of terrorist statesg, so regional security requires draining their local swamps--the Fallujas and similar towns in the Sunni triangle.

Fallujah has had its chance to realize that Saddam's days are over, that it is time to accept the US and the new government. It has lost that opportunity. Raids by US forces should be busily removing males suspected of involvement in attacks. Homes of rebels should be demolished, the families relocated to the north, just as the Israelis demolish the homes of Palestinian terrorists. Entire neighborhoods should be emptied. The rules of engagement should be relaxed so that air power can protect US patrols into the town, and if civilians are killed because they happen to hang out with Arab terrorists, well that is the fault of the terrorists, not us.

That's how you fight a war, if you want to win it.

[lelio]

Go house to house or drop leaflets and tell everybody to get out and then send the whole area further back into the stone age.

Hrm, let's think that one through. This would accomplish:

• Everyone that was a US supporter in Fallujah is now homeless and p-o'ed
• Everyone that was anti-US is now even more angry
• More arabs around the world think that we're going to drop a bomb on them so they should hurry up and attack us

What do you think this would accomplish other than being able to beat one's chest and say "That'll teach em"?

[Ramcat]

OK. This is how it works.
People of Iraq, think you're worthy of a democracy?
Prove it.
Now.
Gather up these thugs within 24 hours and bring them to justice.
If you don't. You're not worthy of the American blood that set you free.

I'm p***** off.

[Defiant]

The ones counseling inaction and who assume that a timid response to this outrage is "wise" are just as much "keyboard generals" as those who counsel a vigorous response, they are just not as aggressive in the face of an implacable foe who will only cease the attacks when defeated. We could call those posters who smugly accept this atrocity the "Keyboard Kerrys". Rather than name-calling, however, it might be appropriate to explain why you and Diddly Al-Squat favor that Fallujah not receive a forceful response, while I will be happy to explain why I think it is important that Fallujah be made an example of.

[Enduring Freedom]

KILL THEM

Just do it. And I won't say a word.

[freedom44]

Wouldn't be so happy with a bullet in his head.

Savages.

[Hatteras]

They were from a company in NC called Blackwater USA. See the website link in post 16.

From their website:

"Blackwater USA is comprised of five companies; Blackwater Training Center, Blackwater Target Systems, Blackwater Security Consulting, Blackwater Canine, and Blackwater Air (AWS). We have established a global presence and provide training and tactical solutions for the 21st century."

Our clients include federal law enforcement agencies, the Department of Defense, Department of State, and Department of Transportation, local and state entities from around the country, multi-national corporations, and friendly nations from all over the globe.

We customize and execute solutions for our clients to help keep them at the level of readiness required to meet today's law enforcement, homeland security, and defense challenges.

Any and all defense services supplied to foreign nationals will only be pursuant to proper authorization by the Department of State.

Come to Blackwater, where the professionals train."

Gary Jackson
President

[Sender]

Aww, c'mon, we don't want to nuke everybody, just Fallujah. Duck and cover, bridge dancers! Bend over and assume the position!

Seriously, if we don't do something nasty in response to this, it'll spread to other areas. It's time to show whoever is behind this what the consequences are.