U.S. military admits Iraqi civilians killed
July 28th, 2008 . by TexasFredBAGHDAD - The U.S. military admitted Sunday that American soldiers killed civilians after opening fire on a car last month on the heavily secured Baghdad airport road.
The statement — which called the man and two women killed “law abiding citizens of Iraq” — reversed earlier military claims that they were suspected militants who shot at a parked American convoy.
But the military blamed the shooting on a series of misunderstandings and said “neither the soldiers nor civilians involved in the incident were at fault.”
The June 25 shooting deaths sparked controversy after Iraqi officials identified the three people killed as bank employees, not militants. The initial military statement claiming they were suspected militants raised concerns because it suggested that the tight security on the road leading to the Baghdad international airport had been penetrated.
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U.S. military admits Iraqi civilians killed
The road to Baghdad International Airport (BIA) is a highly volatile route, Route Irish. And it’s a favorite target for the IED bombers simply because American troops maintain a very high profile in the area, and as such, the troops get a bit nervous.
I don’t condemn our troops for firing, not in any way, they honestly felt they were being threatened and they addressed that threat in the only way they could.
My Son was in Baghdad back in 2004/2005 with the 256th BCT Louisiana Army National Guard, they worked in conjunction with the 69th New York Army National Guard. My son knew some of the guys involved in the incident where an Italian journalist was shot and one of her security officers was killed.
SPC Mario Lozano, Co. A, 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry, New York Army National Guard has been indicted for murder in Italy in connection with the death of Italian secret service agent Major General Nicola Calipari. Mr. Calipari was shot and killed while trying to run a U.S. checkpoint along Route Irish in Baghdad, Iraq in March of 2005. Mr. Calipari and other Italian agents had just rescued kidnapped Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena, who was wounded in the incident. A complete investigation of the incident exonerated SPC Lozano and the unit clearly acted within the applicable Rules of Engagement.
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Tensions have always run high on the road to BIA, and will always run high as long as U.S. military personnel are targets of opportunity for the bombers and murderers of *The Religion of Peace*.
War is an imperfect science, troops make mistakes, it happens, and when it does, innocent people die, and while regrettable, as long as there is a human factor involved in the art of WAR, mistakes will continue to happen and collateral damage will continue to occur.
Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6.
So? Civilians get hurt in war. It is the nature of war. Better 1 million Iraqi civilians get hurt than any of our troops or even worse, our civilians.
Katie, AMEN!!
But you know, there are *some* people in this nation that will call you a racist for that statement, I feel the exact same way you do and I feel that armed defense of OUR borders is very much within the rights of OUR nation, but again, for that stance, I am called a racist…
Go figure, there are *posers* that claim to be many things they are not, and the more they talk, the more they comment on Conservative sites, the more they reveal their true intent and belief to the sane and logical world.
In war there are mishaps. The only problem with this war is the media. Anything bad happen they are on it like stink on sh**. Any good is overlooked. Our troops do what they must.
No one can understand the tension and fear of combat unless they have experienced it. You act on a situation or you and your fellow soldiers could die!!!
If the MSM would focus more on the good that has been accomplished in Iraq and not jump on every bad incident we would be better off. (Man I must be dreamin!!!)
So, apparently terrorists and militants wear signs or uniforms that identify them as terrorists and militants.
We must never forget that a terrorist is a bank employee, cook, shop keeper, vendor, or baker up until the time they explode or plant a bomb.
Your last paragraph summed it up. There is “friendly fire” and there is collateral damage. That is the nature of humanity.
BZ
While it’s regrettable that innocent people die, like y’all said, it’s going to happen. Better an accidental incident such as this, than American soldiers dead.
I thought your son and 256 BCT patroled that route. In any case, shit happens in war. That is why it is called war. Now, if this was a blatent use of force then let the law deal with it. Myself? I am starting to think that the folks over at JAG need to be assessed a few penalties. In a rather short, and personal way. That being that if you fail to convict, you serve the sentence that the defendents would have been subject too.
I bet that would stop the bullshit in very short order.
Actually Patrick, I think a bit of real *trigger time* would help a lot of JAG Officers do their job better…
How in the hell can you prosecute a man for an indiscretion in combat if you have never been there yourself??