indeed. what were the events surrounding this activity? one of the claims is that 5 men were killed in a taxi approaching a checkpoint. did the taxi disobey an order to stop? with all these car bombs, how can you expect a marine to not shoot that car to hell in a situation like this? was there enemy fire coming from these apartments?
the other claim the media is touting here - is that some of the victims were found "kneeling in prayer"? they didn't move when shot at close range? they stayed frozen in the praying position after being shot, just long enough to be photographed I bet.
I am not saying this whole incident should be dismissed, but the media reports are not adding up.
None of them were in prayer. Shortly after the car bomb went off. A sgt ordered "the nearest homes to be searched". The first house they entered was a terrified family. The woman and children in the house attempted to protect a 76 y/o man. They were all shot. No arms were found. They went in the next house and the same thing happened. The 2nd house contained less people, but still woman and children. No arms were found. the 3rd house contained 4 men. They were arrested and one rifle was found.
Prior to any of this, no shots were fired at the Marines. The car that was shot up contained college students returning home. They turned the corner, saw the burning vehicle and Marines and threw it into reverse. The vehicle was shot full of holes and they all died. No arms were found.
The initial reports said the 15 were killed in the blast. that was changed to, they were killed after a firefight. They claimed they were ambused after the car bomb went off. that was proven false.