Posted on 06/03/2006 2:23:58 PM PDT by SandRat
WASHINGTON, June 3, 2006 – An investigation has concluded that coalition forces "operated in accordance with the rules of engagement governing our combat forces in Iraq" during a March 15 raid in which Iraqi civilians died, a coalition spokesman said early today in Baghdad.
Army Maj. Gen. William B. Caldwell IV, Multinational Force Iraq spokesman, said that in response to claims that as many as 13 civilians were killed in the raid near Ishaqi, south of Samarra, officials launched an investigation the next day.
"The investigation revealed the ground force commander, while capturing and killing terrorists, operated in accordance with the rules of engagement governing our combat forces in Iraq," Caldwell said.
Credible intelligence led to the raid, in which Ahmad Abdallah Muhammad Nais al-Utai, also known as Hamza, a Kuwaiti-born al Qaeda cell leader, was captured and Uday Faris al-Tawafi, also known as Abu Ahmed, an Iraqi involved in making roadside bombs as well as recruiting local people to join the insurgency, was killed, Caldwell said.
When ground forces arrived at a house that intelligence reports said was being used as an insurgent safe house, they came under fire from the building, the general said.
"As the enemy fire persisted, the ground force commander appropriately reacted by incrementally escalating the use of force from small arms fire to rotary wing aviation, and then to close air support, ultimately eliminating the threat," he said.
"Allegations that the troops executed a family living in this safe house, and then hid the alleged crimes by directing an air strike, are absolutely false," the coalition spokesman added.
In the subsequent search, the general said, coalition forces documented the discovery Abu Ahmed's body and those of three noncombatants.
"The investigating officer concluded that possibly up to nine collateral deaths resulted from this engagement, but could not determine the precise number due to collapsed walls and heavy debris," Caldwell said, repeating that the investigating officer ascertained the ground force commander properly followed the rules of engagement as he "necessarily escalated the use of force until the threat was eliminated."
Caldwell noted that Arab and Western media have focused a great deal of attention recently on allegations of coalition troops killing innocent civilians in Iraq.
"Temptation exists to lump all these incidents together," he said. "However, each case needs to be examined individually. Let me be clear. Multinational Force Iraq does not and will not tolerate unethical or criminal behavior. All allegations of the loss of civilian life are thoroughly investigated. All loss of innocent life is tragic and unfortunate, and we regret such occurrences. We take all reports of improper conduct seriously; we investigate them thoroughly, and hold our troops accountable for their actions."
Good news for the Troops a bummer for the L/MSM.
(Denny Crane: "Every one should carry a gun strapped to their waist. We need more - not less guns.")
1 down and 1 to go.
Full heartedly assuring them (and telling the rest of the world) how brave, dedicated and respected we know them to be. Tout how they are risking their lives daily (and have been! for the past 4 years) in this WOT.
Tout their sacrifices and their selflessness they show in over abundance to Iraqi's and Afghani's at the risk of their own lives (again on a daily basis). Assure their families the CIC / RNC believes in these warriors and have no doubt they are the best on earth.
This is the type of ad campaign that would be a boost for our fighting men and women (and their families) while also putting a clear distinction to the American public between us and the Democrat party - A party that is clearly anti-military, anti-success in the WOT.
I knew this BEFORE the "probe." It's the civilian, foreign "freedom fighters" in Iraq who are committing these "massacres." I've seen this movie before. It's like deja vu all over again.
We knew this once before in a far-away place exactly what these "brave civilian, foreign 'freedom fighters'" were and contrary to the wording in the GHC Protocols that we follow the "brave civilian, foreign 'freedom fighters'" don't, yet it's the left that sreeches foul at us (remember, with them it's the seriousnes of the nature of the charge and not the facts or reality with them).
The DemocRATS and their MSM are in full, feeding frenzy mode right now. I hope those investigating this "massacre" do not bend to the Left's demand for blood. I'm not buying this "massacre" stuff for a minute. This "massacre" was created to help the DemocRATS win control of the House and Senate in November. Nothing more.
When it's over and the Marines are cleared; I want to see Mush-Mouth Murtha and those Presstitutes stripped of any and all honors and standing in the dock before a judge.
I hope the Marines will eventually be shown to be innocent. Unfortunately, the the Liberal politicians and their toadies in the MSM are screaming hysterically for the heads of these Marines. I'm afraid they are going to be given what they want just to shut them up.
I have a little more trust in the UCMJ process and I pray that you are wrong.
It's not the GC that's 'restricting' us from doing so, it's our own ROEs.
That famous photo of the RVN General executing the weeping VC after an attack must still be fresh in peoples minds. Lost in all that controversy was that the RVN in question acted perfectly legally.
L
I hope I'm wrong too.
Very few know even today that VC had just been captured after murdering the RVN General's Wife and children either.
That RVN General did exactly the right thing at exactly the right time. The VC had a real tough time recruiting after that.
I'm thinking it's about time we rigorously the letter of the GC to these 'insurgents' when we capture them. Sweat them for a few days, then execute them publicly after a drum head Courts Martial.
Hang 'em in the village square and let the bodies rot.
L
And Surprise all the Presstitutes with the trial of one of their own under the UCMJ. Who cares what the offense. Do it just to send the message of Oh, Boy's-N-Girl's we found our ***** warriors are back in charge.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.