Posted on 03/03/2007 2:06:07 PM PST by RedRover
HADITHA, Iraq When average Americans hear the word Haditha, they are likely to think of the much-publicized 2005 incident involving Marines allegedly murdering 24 Iraqi civilians.
For locals in Haditha, the incident is memorable but not the hot-button issue it is in America, Marines deployed here said. Weve asked some of the local nationals who come in here on a daily basis about it, said Staff Sgt. Andres Quiniones, who works at the Haditha Civil Military Operations Center. Everyone still remembers it, but weve never had anybody come in and start complaining about it. I guarantee its talked about more in the States than it is here.
The Haditha incident took place Nov. 19, 2005. One Marine was killed, one was severely injured and another suffered minor wounds when a roadside bomb was detonated under their Humvee. Then, two dozen Iraqi civilians died in what prosecutors allege were revenge killings by Marines.
Four Marines with Company K, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment out of Camp Pendleton, Calif., have been charged with unpremeditated murder for allegedly killing the Iraqi civilians in retaliation. Courts-martial should begin in a few months. The incident is almost a nonissue for the average Hadithan, but they do respect that the Marines are taking the matter to trial, said Lt. Col. Jim Donnellan, commander of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.
As for the Marines on Hadithas streets, some have taken the extreme measure of wearing helmet video cameras in case they need indisputable proof if their actions are questioned. Ive seen squad leaders and Marines with that, Donnellan said. Its disheartening because you feel like theyve lost their confidence that were going to take care of them. When the whole story comes out, they will realize that whats happening to them and the firefights theyre engaged in are nowhere near any of these kind of accusations.
When Iraqis in Haditha think of a horrible massacre in their city, they think not of the 2005 episode but rather of 2004 public executions of Iraqi policemen by insurgents, Marines said. In April and November 2004, Marines in Haditha were sent to Fallujah to participate in the now well-known battle. Haditha insurgents waged a killing spree in the Marines absence. Insurgents in Haditha murdered local officials and publicly executed several policemen at a soccer field.
When the [Marines] left, you had a total implosion of the local government, said Capt. Matt Tracy, commander of Company E, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment.
You had 21 officers killed, the municipal buildings destroyed and a group of 19 Shia that were killed in the soccer stadium. That weighs more on everyones psyche than the massacre. The massacre is seen as an unfortunate event that occurs during war.
Tracy, who commands the Marine company operating in Haditha, does not hear very much talk about the November 2005 incident. The question he does get from the locals is: What will happen when the Marines leave?
Which is, I think, 180 degrees out from the perception that Americans have of this place, he said. The fear here is that the Americans will leave.
LOL! With his lawyer right behind him.
LOL; Yep have to have the lawyer too.
This news would deeply sadden Blurtha.
Wow, that's a lot to haul around for a Marine. Video cam, lawyer attached on his back.
Queue music, "He ain't heavy, he's my lawyer."
HEHEHE...
Thats funny and yet.....
I just saw this article. Very well done except they are K 3/1 Marines, not 3/5.
I think we will put this on Justin's web site.
Thanks for posting it here Red.
My pleasure, Mrs. S.!
I think Murtha needs to go on a "fact finding mission" to Haditha-just him and four or five of the marines he has accused of massacre-no media. I mean he probably really just wants to get to the truth.
Yep, that's the one, lol!
I hope you get more visitors than Disneyland. Jaclyn and her young man did a smashing job.
Thanks Red, I will make sure I tell Jaclyn and Matt.
Matt! Right! I had forgotten his name so had to settle for "her young man" in a pinch.
That's why we're better than the terrorists. We keep the moral high ground. It's expensive real estate, but worth it. The Iraqis in Haditha apparently recognize this.
Theres an interesting article by Bing West, Streetwise, in the January/February issue of The Atlantic. Its about the Iraqi police and Lieutenant Colonel James Donnellan shows up in that article as well. Heres a bit of the piece:
Right now I have to deal with an angry police chief, [said Captain Matt Tracy] Weve been asking him how his prisoner died, and he doesnt like it.
Tracy walked outside and escorted the compact and unsmiling police chief, Colonel Farouq, into his office.
Every American is asking how one terrorist died, he said angrily. We questioned him, and he died. Thats all I say. He betrayed my police. [My police officers] heads were tossed in the dirt in Baiji. And all you ask is how a terrorist died.
We go by the law, Tracy said. We have rules we follow.
Rules? What about nine bodies without heads? What about my brothers body? Farouq raged. My mother complains I have lost the family because I help Americans. Farouqs younger brother had been killed in the ambush, his body mutilated.
Baijis a hundred kilometers from here, the battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel James Donnellan, said. Ill take a force there. You can come with me.
When? Farouq demanded to know.
Higher has to coordinate, Donnellan said. Two or three days.
The bodies will be gone by then. You investigate a dead terrorist right away. But my brother has to wait, Farouq said. Your rules? You wont see strong Iraqi police the American way for a hundred years.
Good. They fear the Americans will leave. Now get this news out to all the misinformed Americans that think every Iraqi hates us. Of course I realize this cannot happen. Must never allow perhaps 75% plus of America from starting to get a slight clue.
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