WikiLeaks cable: U.S. troops murdered Iraqi children, elderly, in raid

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Air strike called to destroy evidence of U.S. troops murderous action in Iraq

According to a diplomatic cable published by WikiLeaks, U.S. troops willfully massacred an Iraqi family in the town of Ishaqi in 2006, handcuffing and then shooting 11 people in the head including a woman in her 70’s and five children ages five and under.

wikileaks u.s. troops murdered children in iraq

File Photo from Smirkingchimp.com

McClatchy is reporting that the soldiers then called in an air strike on the house to cover up evidence of the killings.

This account differs sharply from an official version of the 2006 incident, which indicated that coalition forces captured an al Qaeda in Iraq operative in the house, which was destroyed in a firefight. The WikiLeaks cable, however, corroborates accounts by Ishaqi townspeople and includes questions about the incident by Philip Alston, the U.N.’s special rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions.

The cable is dated twelve days after the incident, which took place March 15, 2006. In it, Alston says that autopsies performed in Tikrit on bodies pulled from the wreckage of the farmhouse indicated that all of the dead had been handcuffed and shot in the head.

If true, this action, although not as egregious as the My Lai massacre of March 16, 1968, wherein 347-504 unarmed civilians were shot to death by U.S. forces during the Vietnam conflict, still speaks volumes about war and the atrocities committed for war’s sake.

u.s. troops atrocity iraq murdered children wikileaks

As history tells us man is capable of great inhumanity to man, and the term “civilized” is simply an ideal and not a reality.

Tell us your thoughts on this allegation and if you think that troops from “civilized” nations such as the United States could, in fact, commit such an atrocity.

Many thanks to McLatchy.com for their contributions to this story.

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Professor Mike

Professor Mike is a left-leaning, dog loving, political junkie. He has written dozens of articles for Substack, Medium, Simily, and Tribel. Professor Mike has been published at Smerconish.com, among others. He is a strong proponent of the environment, and a passionate protector of animals. In addition he is a fierce anti-Trumper. Take a moment and share his work.
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anon
11 years ago

Oh america, you never cease to surprise me with murder.

farida
11 years ago

and the american people are confused why the rest of the world hates them. this is a glimpse why.

this is a glimpse why no country wants usa people in their country.

and the american people call others terrorist, when they are the terrorists. they put hitler to shame.

they don’t trust in God; they trust in gold, oil, and destruction.

america, get the hell out of people’s countries and start taking care of your streets filled with homeless, drug-addicts, white-trash prostitutes, child-teenage moms, daddy pedophiles, and other kinds of white trash you see lying around…

bourque
Reply to  farida
11 years ago

I say something similar to this, though a huge issue is usicans think they are the owners of all, thus feel they have free range to dictate how something is in a country they are not from nor know laws of.

and i’ll say it again: this nation is nowhere near “united” because barely anyone has respect for each other, let alone can look one another in the EYE and smile to simply acknowledge their existence…gripping purses and children if they see anyone other than a white person in a suit, which, by the way, i’d be a thousand times more suspicious of than someone who looks raggedy. and if you really think about it, everyone has more than likely had the worst experiences with [white] ‘suits’ and the like, than any other opposite looking person.

Alexander
11 years ago

If they were in fact Al Qaeda, then what’s wrong with us killing them before they kill us? And please don’t start with the “innocent” children, women, etc. That is an arbitrary distinction that Al Qaeda does not recognize – their women and children kill as just as well as their men.

Regarding My Lai mentioned in the article: The entire village consisted of only women, children and old people. Isn’t that a bit strange? Well, actually, not strange at all. The men in that village had all belonged to the Viet Cong (the ones that didn’t were killed by their own people). When the American troops approached, they were warned and slipped away into the jungle, leaving their “innocent” supporters. Those women and children were part of the Viet Cong structure and were as legitimate a target as the men that left them there. Of course, not a PR palatable target, but legitimate nevertheless. You won’t find this in the history books because, for obvious reasons, no one wants to admit to the facts.

Jim Strathmeyer
11 years ago

Maybe they learned it from the US police and justice system?

Me
11 years ago

Every nation at every time has licensed atrocities. In the end, it is the choice of those who stab the sword or pull the trigger or let loose the arrow. Don’t vilify the US now unless you’re also going to acknowledge that (a) your country has licensed such a crime in the past or (b) your country has never been in a position to license such a crime.

ANTI-FREEMASON
11 years ago

Well this is to mr.Z,

here is another few possibilities for you…and i have answers…

1. What if, some of the soldiers raped one of the children/girls or a man even (since American troops are known to be gays too) and some members of the family shouted…and this soldiers killed him/her…and in order of fear…they catch all of them and killed them. How about that one for a possibility?

2. Your ridiculous possibility is nothing close to valid because why would you hand tie a less then 5 year old child? the poor kid was used to help al-qaeda? perhaps you should kill all the children in America who is working as pushers and drug distributors to…so your version of America can be safe?

Finally, I am an Iraqi and i just like to tell you…what you are suffering now and will suffer more and more in the US and Europe is what you get after you invade Iraq…by 2015 your economy will be sucked dry…and your so called heroes of freedom (US army troops) will end up homeless beggars!

This is a fact…and soon you will see! 2015 your hunger will be seen clearly! blame the republicans and blame bush…perhaps the next war will be much nearer to your home…and bare in mind…Mexico will eat you inside out! and just a reminder…you American have never fought a war inside your territory since the modern ages have started…you will the vengeance of the father of all civilizations!

Inside Job
11 years ago

I wouldn’t be surprised if this was true, in fact I believe it and think if this happened and was leaked then there must be other numerous incidents like this. Heck, police in our own country raid wrong houses, kill veterans and dogs, and all they can say is “Oops”. Do you really think the military care in that chaos? This is just plain atrocious.

TigDamIg
11 years ago

Wow that really makes me mad!
Anon-Bits.tk

Z
11 years ago

unpopular question:

if the household was harboring and supporting enemy activities in the area, then your options are:

1. kill the militants/terrorists and let the family live to support another group of militants
2. kill the militants/terrorists, arrest the family, then have them go free because the prisions are overflowing already
3. kill the militants/terrorists and the family, since they’re all acting in tandem as the enemy.

Unfortunately, the latter is what is deemed safest in war. The fact that it had to be done even without resistance make the emotions harder to bear. I don’t envy any person in that house that day. This is what means the expression “war is ugly”

Inside Job
Reply to  Z
11 years ago

Why not then just bomb the whole country? Like we did to Japan. Oh wait we can’t… how are we going to spread “democracy”, make billions on “reconstruction projects” and extract that precious oil.

Mr. Right
Reply to  Z
11 years ago

What are you? Some sort of fucking expert? We are NOT limited to those options.

They bombed the crime scene (BECAUSE YES IT’S A CRIME TO KILL INNOCENT PEOPLE) to cover up for their damn mistake. It obviously wasn’t ‘by the book’.

You also don’t think that by killing innocent people you are just inciting more anger and thus provoking more attacks? If someone were to kill my neighbours and then bomb my neighbourhood to cover up I’d want to kill those assholes.

Use that supercomputer in your head and actually sit down and THINK FOR YOURSELF, damn it.

They say the internet makes you angry and bitter, I contest this statement by saying stupid people make you angry and bitter and that there’s no lack of them on the internet.

ANON
11 years ago

It’s great to see all of this debate on the meaning of war and how evil men can be. Personally I believe that the unimaginable stress of combat can provoke even the most resilient man to commit horrible acts. The US military is great at disciplining it’s troops, but occasionally shit happens. For all of the people complaining about how evil American troops are because of My Lai and the recent controversy about troops pissing on dead insurgents in Afghanistian, keep in mind that there are far worse atrocities that are constantly being committed by non-American soldiers.

Anony
Reply to  ANON
11 years ago

And that somehow excuses what happened? Because “Worse happens elsewhere”? That’s about the most ridiculous defense of these disgraceful human beings I’ve heard in a long time.

jayduba
Reply to  ANON
11 years ago

Keep in mind others are evil, so we can be evil too.

sundance
Reply to  jayduba
11 years ago

as I recall the purpose of fighting evil is to get rid of it not join it,

jax
11 years ago

>five children ages five and under

Five less future insurgents. . 😉

jayduba
Reply to  jax
11 years ago

I love republicans !

jax
Reply to  jayduba
11 years ago

I’m actually an independent – gfy –

Anonymous
Reply to  jax
11 years ago

More like when this happens, the neighbors, cousins, and friends turn into freedom fighters for a cause that is truly right in retrospect.
Plus, try being less of a devolved knuckle dragger. You might get the chance ( I hope not ) to reproduce in the future.

jax
Reply to  Anonymous
11 years ago

I actually have reproduced and my 19 year old son lost both his legs when a 14 year old insurgent blew himself up while getting candy from our boys. So if you want to step off your high horse I can drag my knuckles across the side of your head.

Anonymous
Reply to  jax
11 years ago

They allowed you the right to reproduce?

Anonymous
Reply to  jax
11 years ago

Oh, of course! Your child is off limits, while mine are free game? Talk about high horses.

Anonymous
Reply to  jax
11 years ago

So you praise the killing of 5 children under 5, who were not involved in this ‘war’ (see your post(s) above), yet we should feel sorry for your 19 year old son who willingly attacked another country at their doorstep?

You, sir, are one giant nut bag.

I’m glad you got to feel this pain. One would think that this would wake you up and make you understand the pain ‘murica inflicts upon other nations.

bourque
Reply to  jax
11 years ago

you’re a pathetic individual.

and from this second-hand experience of yours, what ‘rights’ have you so deservedly earned? aside from potential medical bills, and a son who has some degree of ptsd? aside the ‘right’ to declare, as a usican, who is more deserving to live?

Anonymous
Reply to  jax
11 years ago

I bet you think you’re funny, Bubba.

Guinstigator
11 years ago

All countries can have people capable of murdering children, women and men. But the US has been fighting offensive war for decades now. We have not been involved in a “good” war for decades. So it is also the fault of soldiers who volunteer to enlist. Until the governmen stops declaring wars that are simply ways for the 1% to make more money, only 1%’ers should be fighting.

Anon
11 years ago

The human race: Still too stubborn, selfish, and greedy to solve conflicts diplomatically. What a disgusting species we are.

joelly
Reply to  Anon
11 years ago

Thank You for saying that.
Jehovah’s day is near, soon there will be a one world government under the rule of the designer. The human race has reduced everything to a shambles. Man does not have the ability do direct their own steps.

Truth
Reply to  joelly
11 years ago

You are really fucked in the head.

Atheist
Reply to  Truth
11 years ago

Came here to say this. If we’re in the hands of an imaginary being, we truly are fucked.

bourque
Reply to  joelly
11 years ago

¬_¬
although, i’m apt to believe there is no singular designer for this globe, i agree with all else you’ve expressed.

Bob
Reply to  Anon
11 years ago

You don’t like it? leave.

Kain
11 years ago

The My Lai massacre of March 16, 1968, wherein 347-504 unarmed civilians were shot to death by U.S. forces during the Vietnam conflict, still speaks volumes about a nation such as the United States that has in fact, committed such atrocities.
Can you see how blind you are?

W
11 years ago

Not all military members are psychopathic killers, but a higher percentage of them are. It sickens me that we send these bastards to other countries. Killing children in cold blood, there are no lines with these sickos.

Dae Anderson
11 years ago

Wait a minute. I thought Wikileaks had access to inter office notes and emails surrounding embassy communications. THIS was in an EMAIL??? source please, or at least a link. TY

Larry
11 years ago

I am not making excuses, but no nation is immune to committing atrocities in war, and the sad fact is, that the US seems to be committing more of them as time goes on.

john
11 years ago

who said that americans are perfect? troops are not perfect, the war is not perfect, civilized is a civil way, the arm forces teaches and forms civilians to be licensed killers/murderers, just because they have a US flag on the uniforms does not make them any better than anybody, its the US society who makes and accepts these arm forces full of murderers begining with BUSH father and son, United States should hang by the balls BUSH father and son, but no matter what happens the US will pay for all these atrocities just like all nazis are paying today.

bourque
Reply to  john
11 years ago

Don’t lump two specific presidents, no less, of specific parties, no less, when there is another branch of govt responsible for the bullshit happening, regardless of their ridiculous political affiliations. it’s the fact they are politicians and think this type of crap is completely justified because of it.

yet no one feels the need to exercise their 2nd amendments at the doorsteps of the executive and legislative branches. sigh.

12 years ago

As a defender and protector of our country this should never ever happen!
Our troops do an amazing job fighting and doing what most wont but if this is true then the soldiers who are responsable i hope are punished dearly.
We are the protectors and guardens we save lives not to distroy inisent people! To tie their hands so they can’t protect their childen or themselves well there is no words for it! Many people die in combat we know this! Accidents happen where you have to make a choice and sometimes even if people don’t understand, you make the hardest choices cause they are the right ones most of the time, but this was NOT one of them!
It doesn’t matter of race color relign we are people and these people were no different then us and our families.
To see this of our own men is truely disterbing and i only prey that we learn from what people have done and fight to make it better!
We all need to put differences aside and protect these people regardless of what we think and how we are raised. If a stranger could’ve saved a family memembers life and mad i difference wouldn’t you want them to put their life on the line for them?
same thing so don’t punish the people for what others are doing.

Anonymous
Reply to  missy
11 years ago

“We are the protectors and guardens we save lives not to distroy inisent people!” [sic]

Tell that to the people of Dresden. I’m sure they have something to say about that.

Bradley Scott
12 years ago

An air strike destroys an apartment building in Iraq. Of the 19 Iraqis killed, 4 are said to be ‘lieutenants’ of the ‘high-ranking’ al Qaeda operative who was the target of the strike, but was not home at the time, so to speak. The other 15 are, or more accurately, were, tenants, their guests. Civillians. This was termed by those who speak on behalf of our forces in Iraq as,’a successful mission, with acceptable collateral damage.’ Now extrapolate. If, of the Iraqis who were caught under the hail of U.S. bombs and bullets, 75% were civillians, 20% percent were legitimate, if low value targets, and 5% were high value targets who got away, would not the entire war be termed ‘successful… with acceptable collateral damage?’ That being the prevailent mind set, the occurance of an incident like this, in my opinion, has only been a matter of time since this war started. Indeed, as this debacle required 5 1/2 months and wikileaks to surface, how many more such events may never come to light?
P.S. If you’d like a better perspective on the percentages I’ve listed, apply them to the figures you’ll find at http://www.iraqbodycount.com

Bradley Scott
Reply to  Bradley Scott
12 years ago
jenny40
12 years ago

I so hope this isn’t true, but somehow I suspect it is.

jwhitehawke
Reply to  jenny40
11 years ago

In the last 100 years, over 151,000,000 people were assassinated by their OWN governments……. NOT due to war. Certainly this is what happens during wars on others….

holycrapbucket
Reply to  jwhitehawke
11 years ago

Whose ass did you pull that lovely statistic from?

Anonymous
Reply to  holycrapbucket
11 years ago

I’m willing to believe that the number is high up when you include the whole century and all countries. That includes places like the USSR under Stalin, Maoist China, Nazi Germany, and Cambodia during the Khmer Rouge era. Stalin alone is responsible for the deaths of 43 million of his own citizens. 151 million does not surprise me.

annnonnn
Reply to  Anonymous
11 years ago

That would be 2% of the world’s population, or 1 out of every 50 people alive…

es0terick
Reply to  annnonnn
11 years ago

Wait, are you saying that that would be 2% of the world’s population right now, or 2% of the number of people who who were alive during the past 100 years. Because those are two very different things, and the first number would hardly mean anything in the context of this discussion. (same with “1 out of 50 people”)

User
Reply to  es0terick
11 years ago

If it was world population right now, the stat would be 0.00%, since once you die you’re no longer part of the population.

drrrrrt
Reply to  jwhitehawke
11 years ago

That’s a strangely precise number you made up.

Anonymous
Reply to  jwhitehawke
11 years ago

source for that stat?

Mr. Right
Reply to  Anonymous
11 years ago

Alright, you lazy good for nothing internet dwelling neck bearded losers.

I took the ONE MINUTE upon myself to actually google this and get actual statistics:

“The megamurdering states of the 20th century have been: the U.S.S.R. (1917-1987), 61,911,000; Communist China (1949-1987), 35,236,000; Nazi Germany (1933-1945), 20,946,000; and Nationalist (or Kuomintang) China (1928-1949), 10,076,000. These are followed by the “lesser” megamurdering states: Japan (1936-1945), 5,964,000; Cambodia (1975-1979), 2,035,000; Turkey (1909-1918), 1,883,000; Vietnam (1945-1987), 1,678,000; North Korea (1948-1987), 1,663,000; Poland (1945-1948), 1,585,000; Pakistan (1958-1987), 1,503,000; Mexico (1900-1920), 1,417,000; Yugoslavia (1944-1987), 1,072,000; Czarist Russia (1900-1917), 1,066,000.”

http://www.fff.org/freedom/1094f.asp

You’re welcome, and screw you.

Anonymous
Reply to  Mr. Right
11 years ago

Grand total: 468,035,000

Bob
Reply to  Mr. Right
11 years ago

No reason to be an asshole about it! 😀

holycrapbucket had every right to be skeptical and demand info because the BURDEN OF PROOF was on the guy who made the claim.

Enjoy your miserable life!

Wholemeal
Reply to  Mr. Right
11 years ago

That’s not the statistics she claims.

annnonnn
Reply to  jwhitehawke
11 years ago

That would be 2% of the world’s population, or 1 out of every 50 people alive…

Anonymous
Reply to  annnonnn
11 years ago

Over the course of 100 years.

Psi
Reply to  jwhitehawke
11 years ago

In my country more than 7 million people were killed by it’s government in one act of genocide. It was in Soviet Ukraine in 1932-33 when Stalin and Soviet government took all the food and made people starve to death. We call this genocide Holodomor.

Eva
Reply to  jwhitehawke
11 years ago

So this makes it okay? Your comment is ridiculous.

Anonymous
Reply to  jenny40
11 years ago

Of course it’s true. The U.S. trains it’s soldiers to kill. Torture,shooting civilians, including the elderly & children at point blank range. Were these guys having fun? The U.S. has destroyed Iraq, done grave damage to the Iraqi people & continues to occupy the country with soldiers like these. I hope there will be justice for these civilian victims. End the occupations in Iraq & Afghanistan. End impunity & respect human rights please.

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