IRAQI CIVILIAN EXECUTED BY MASKED GUNMEN
CAMP AL ASAD, Iraq (Aug. 14, 2006) – U.S. Marines detained three men for suspected involvement in the murder of an Iraqi man in Haditha, Iraq, 120 miles west of Baghdad.
Four masked gunmen in a white pickup truck arrived at the victimÂ’s house and announced that anyone assisting Coalition forces would be killed, according to eye witnesses, who also stated the gunmen were not from the Haditha community.
Sources say the victim, armed with a personal rifle, fired at the four gunmen in self-defense killing one and wounding two others. After running out of ammunition, the victim was forced from his home and was killed execution-style in front of his house by two of the gunmen.
Three of the suspects fled the area and were later detained by Coalition forces.
The wounded suspects were transported to a nearby U.S. outpost, where one was assessed as “urgent surgical” and one “routine,” and were later transported by U.S. military aircraft to a Coalition medical facility for further care.
“Urgent surgical” is the U.S. military medical term which denotes a patient who requires immediate care due to the potential loss of a limb, eyesight and/or life.
“Routine” is the U.S. military medical term which denotes a patient whose injuries are not immediately life-threatening in nature.
The condition of the wounded suspects is unknown.
The third detainee was taken into custody by Coalition forces authorities.
The U.S. and Iraqi military units, which provide security to the town of Haditha are the Hawaii-based 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment and 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 7th Iraqi Army Division. |