Article

2003-03-23 Iraq

U.S. troops captured at Nasiriya executed

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Posted by Fred Pruitt 2003-03-23 10:24 am|| E-Mail|| Front Page|| [11131 views since 2007-05-07] Top

#1 It simply doesn't make sense that having "executed" prisoners, the Iraqi's would then show them on TV. Bad move for so many reasons. The Iraqi's are very PR conscious, and showing bodies on TV for PR makes sense. However, showing executed prisoners does not. The Iraqi's don't have many qualms about killing their own political prisoners, but it was done to intimidate the populace. What is the purpose of killing America prisoners when they would have more value as hostages?
Since it is impossible (at this point) to determine if they were killed before or after capture, and under what circumstances, I'd wait for more concrete evidence before drawing any conclusions thanks.

Posted by Anonymous 2003-03-23 12:54:40|| 2003-03-23 12:54:40|| Front Page Top

#2 Having just viewed this sickening footage over over the Greek satellite channel, ERT, it's simply documented barbarity. It includes closeups of each of the dead soldiers and a smiling Iraqi (whose mug is now on record) jabbing one of the dead soldiers and manipulating the body so that the camera can get a closeup of the the face. The Iraqi TV interviewer (speaking very broken English) remains off camera. The five POWs give only minimal information as they were trained to do. Two of the POWs appear to be wounded but are bandaged. One was in obvious pain, but was forced to sit up and be interrogated. I am disgusted by cynical broadcasters who stoop to the level of Iraqi TV. (Yes, why is it still on air?) There would appear to be very little difference between European stations and al Jazeera in using this crude Iraqi propaganda.

Posted by Kerry 2003-03-23 13:00:05|| 2003-03-23 13:00:05|| Front Page Top

#3 BBC had a still showing one of the PoWs faces from Iraqi TV as the main image on its website. I sent an email complaint (as I expect many others did) and 5 mins later it was gone. I pointed out they wouldn't have shown such a picture had it been one of our boys rather than a US ally.

I apologise for refering to a "great opportunity" before, BTW - there's nothing "great" about this, but it is an opportunity.

Posted by Bulldog 2003-03-23 13:09:44|| 2003-03-23 13:09:44|| Front Page Top

#4 I'm listening to the CENTCOM briefing, and the briefing general pointed out that the little incident at the Tigris, where they shot into the water, meant that "their search and rescue efforts leave much to be desired". That might not be the propaganda coup they expect.

This might mean that Saddam and sons are, if still breathing, out of the loop.

(Listening to these briefings makes me see red. "Won't you admit, general, that in as much as you are making very slow progress in this illegal war, and are being fiercely resisted by both army units and the general populace, that you are in a Vietnam-style quagmire and should withdraw immediately?")

Posted by Angie Schultz 2003-03-23 13:50:53|| [darkblogules.blogspot.com] 2003-03-23 13:50:53|| Front Page Top

#5 The purpose of showing this on Tv is to get the American public against the war.
Judging by the tactics used that are slowly becoming apparent, Baghdad decided to turn this into a guerilla war, and hoping for another Vietnam.
We need to get to Baghdad fast.

Posted by RW 2003-03-23 14:20:31|| 2003-03-23 14:20:31|| Front Page Top

#6 I don't think allied soldiers could get to Baghdad any quicker than they're going now. I do believe it's time to commit the 101st, and start bringing in a few more soldiers from the States. I'd recommend about six divisions (if we still had them - unfortunately, with Clinton's cuts of the military, we're pretty well undermanned right now) equipped with MLRS and very high explosive warheads. Then we should do like the Russians at the seige of Berlin: build a ring of steel around the place, and just begin pounding. After a month or two, take a break and see if there's anything left.

If the Iraqis want a first-hand taste of a rolling Arc-Light barrage, I for one will gladly chip in an extra $20 to help defray the cost.

Posted by Old Patriot 2003-03-23 14:54:34|| 2003-03-23 14:54:34|| Front Page Top

#7 It's time to stop talking to these bastards about surrendering. Kill enough of them, and the rest will hang it up. This is what happens when you fight a kid gloves war.

Agreed.
Force is the only thing that awkward, tribal, brutal cultures such as that in Arabia understand.

Bad move for so many reasons. The Iraqi's are very PR conscious, and showing bodies on TV for PR makes sense. However, showing executed prisoners does not. The Iraqi's don't have many qualms about killing their own political prisoners, but it was done to intimidate the populace. What is the purpose of killing America prisoners when they would have more value as hostages?

See previous answer.

Posted by Celissa 2003-03-23 14:59:33|| [www.celissasblog.com] 2003-03-23 14:59:33|| Front Page Top

#8 Personally I think we should forget all this "liberation" bullshit and start acting like bad-asses. Nuke all of Iraq and then dare anyone else to fuck with us. (But that's just me.)

Posted by Scooter McGruder 2003-03-23 15:00:19|| 2003-03-23 15:00:19|| Front Page Top

#9 It's time to stop talking to these bastards about surrendering. Kill enough of them, and the rest will hang it up. This is what happens when you fight a kid gloves war.

Posted by Fred 2003-03-23 10:20:37|| 2003-03-23 10:20:37|| Front Page Top

#10 ack - shows what regime is in iraq . pity we couldnt send the french troops into these areas dishing out the whitehouse's 'freedom fries '
friggin towel-heads need to go get a life instead of takin them . then read the geneva convention.
hope the people who commited this despicable act get all the might of hell unleashed on their pitiful souls before the chicken shits decide to surrender and 'play pathetic PoW tricks '

Posted by biggus 2003-03-23 10:22:33|| 2003-03-23 10:22:33|| Front Page Top

#11 Major Garrett on Fox said that the dead showed evidence of having been executed - shot in the head.
Nasiriya should taste the MOAB - less filling tastes great - drink deeply assholes

Posted by Frank G 2003-03-23 10:26:00|| 2003-03-23 10:26:00|| Front Page Top

#12 Fox News reporting on this now. They have Al Jazeera footage, but say they will not show it. Anchor's voices shake while they report this (I'm listening on headphones from the other room, so I can't see them). They're describing it as "gruesome", "revolting", "sickening". Rumsfeld is complaining that this is a violation of the GC.

Posted by Angie Schultz 2003-03-23 10:27:05|| [darkblogules.blogspot.com] 2003-03-23 10:27:05|| Front Page Top

#13 Kill as many combatants in the vicinity of Nasiriya as possible. Cease negotiations with any units in the area, cut them off, and kill them.

Make sure it gets plenty of press coverage. Include footage of spectacular explosions and dead Iraqi soldiers. Get it on Al Jazeera.

Make sure someone from the US armed forces is quoted saying "This is what we do to military units that choose to violate the Geneva Convention."

Posted by LurkerTim 2003-03-23 10:40:56|| 2003-03-23 10:40:56|| Front Page Top

#14 Truly sickening and further proof of what amoral and inhumane beasts make up Saddam's regime. This is only a small taste of what the poor Iraqi people have had to suffer through for 30+ years.

Please pray for the POWs that were still alive in the film. Hopefully they'll make it through this and be able to identify the perps in the subsequent war crime trials.

Posted by Dar Steckelberg 2003-03-23 10:44:54|| 2003-03-23 10:44:54|| Front Page Top

#15 The execution of POWs should sicken any rationale person. However, I'm pretty sure that this footage will be cheered at the faculty lounge in Berkeley, at the presidential palace in Paris and a few other places.

Posted by mhw 2003-03-23 10:48:58|| 2003-03-23 10:48:58|| Front Page Top

#16 One thing I wonder is why the hell is Iraqi TV still on the air? They should blow every TV studio and transmission facility in the country. Then put OUR broadcasts on the air by way of those C130 psy-ops aircraft.

Its pretty simple. They need to be shown harsh consequences on their own TV. That means any Iraqi forces that are taken under fire should be surrounded and obliterated by artillery and bombing. The results (dead and dismembered Iraqi bodies in uniform - artillery does nasty things) should be shown on TV with the tag "This unit refused to surrender". Repeat this with every unit we cut off that refuses to surrender completely. Pretty soon even the RG's will get the message.

Posted by OldSpook 2003-03-23 11:17:20|| 2003-03-23 11:17:20|| Front Page Top

#17 If, in fact, American POWs have been summarily executed, then under the Geneva Convention we are completely justified in responding in kind. I would guess that very few Iraqi EPWs will be taken over the next 24 hours.

Posted by Andrew Olmsted 2003-03-23 11:20:45|| [andrewolmsted.com] 2003-03-23 11:20:45|| Front Page Top

#18 I've just seen the footage (6 pm France); gruesome; the remaining POWs look terrified. TV talking heads are commenting on the quagmire US troops have gotten themselves in, how the USA lost the propaganda battle, how the offensive has already stalled, how Saddam will pull an Osama vanishing-trick anyway... This is disguting. I'm fed up with this country. My heart goes to the POWs. And yes, time to get the kid gloves off.

Posted by Anonymous 2003-03-23 11:28:49|| 2003-03-23 11:28:49|| Front Page Top

#19 Musn't let emotions take us where they want us to go - commiting atrocities in response to atrocities, with the huge media coverage that would attract. I know its hard to remain rational when confronted with images and accounts as disgusting as these, but the US and Britain are not fighting here according to Saddam's rules. OK, give no quarter in Nasiriyah, and hunt down and kill those responsible for this, but to cut down Iraqis who had no hand in this would not be constructive. Now is a great opportunity to show the world there's no doubt who is the morally superior side here.

Posted by Bulldog 2003-03-23 11:33:34|| 2003-03-23 11:33:34|| Front Page Top

#20 i used to know this, in high school, but: at what temperature does sand melt?

Posted by matt 2003-03-23 11:34:34|| 2003-03-23 11:34:34|| Front Page Top

#21 Bulldog is correct - we need not sink to their level - treat the EPW's correctly and those that don't surrender - no mercy, no quarter. War crimes trials and executions (bitch about that at your own expense EU!) of these bastards

Posted by Frank G 2003-03-23 11:57:45|| 2003-03-23 11:57:45|| Front Page Top

#22 Bulldog is right. This is going to happen with the type of enemy we are facing and those responsible will pay dearly for their dastardly deeds. But we must stay the course and the plan and topple the regime. This will require alot of discipline on our side. We must hit hard and decisive, no holds barred, that's for sure. But collectively we cannot go nuts like the Ba'ath Boys, or we become them.

Posted by Alaska Paul 2003-03-23 12:12:26|| 2003-03-23 12:12:26|| Front Page Top

#23 Drudge has one of the corpse pictures up, if you're curious. I won't run it.

Posted by Fred 2003-03-23 15:29:25|| 2003-03-23 15:29:25|| Front Page Top

#24 Stay cool, guys. Bulldog is right. It's not time to nuke anybody. Let's try to turn this to advantage without killing more innocents. We were having enough trouble with world opinion before this. Now the Iraqi's can have some problems with world opinion.

Posted by Tom 2003-03-23 15:47:39|| 2003-03-23 15:47:39|| Front Page Top

#25 There is more information here http://www.hk94.com/weblog on the executed US soldiers.

Posted by Ted 2003-03-23 16:36:22|| [www.hk94.com/weblog] 2003-03-23 16:36:22|| Front Page Top

#26 The Arabia is sick. All the soldiers had their pants pulled down or flies unzipped. My guess is that these sick bastards checked to see is the soldiers where circumcised and torrored/executed them if they were.

Posted by Anonymous 2003-03-23 16:50:18|| 2003-03-23 16:50:18|| Front Page Top

#27 Nuking Baghdad would be inappropriate.. most of the people there are actually friendlies.
Paris is another matter.

Posted by Dishman 2003-03-23 16:51:52|| 2003-03-23 16:51:52|| Front Page Top

#28 After the Malmedy massacre [Dec. '44, Battle of the Bulge] became known, it became very very difficult for soldiers of the SS to surrender. No matter what DisneyWorld belief of the world is, when it comes down to reality, it is up to the individual gunney who decides whether he'll take your surrender or not. After the events in that Belgium field, gunneys weren't in a warm and friendly mood. Franks better have an effective plan in the works for the post-war military tribunals this calls for. As UBL's boys are finding out, we don't forget [well at least as long as we have real leadership].

Posted by Don 2003-03-23 16:54:33|| 2003-03-23 16:54:33|| Front Page Top

#29 The people in Baghdad may be sensitive to the PR of a thing like this, but I doubt these scum were acting on specific orders from there. Just spur of the moment butchery. As someone else here said - this is why we have to take them out.

Posted by VAMark 2003-03-23 18:14:03|| 2003-03-23 18:14:03|| Front Page Top

#30 Remember Somalia. Once the American public saw the pictures of our boys being dragged through the streets of Mogadishu, public opinion shifted dramatically against our being over there. This war is a totally different situation, but I'm guessing the Iraqis are hoping these pictures will have a similar effect.

Posted by charlotte 2003-03-23 18:27:18|| 2003-03-23 18:27:18|| Front Page Top

#31 We need to take a deep breathe, stop, and give moments of silence for each lost and captured soul, and move on. We knew going in that we are dealing with a ruthless and amoral regime that has no consideration for any human values, and these brave folks are there to destroy that evil.

We need to keep in mind that no matter how repugnant the visuals, they are also a warning from the regime to their own people as to what will happen if they are captured or surrender; we know it is false but Iraqis have only known 30 years of Saddam's terror. This is how they operate.

May the bastards who do this rot in hell!

Posted by john 2003-03-23 19:46:58|| 2003-03-23 19:46:58|| Front Page Top

#32 Hopefully not true, but this article states that a Patriot battery left to defend the crossing at Nassiriyah was destroyed and the crew of 16 is missing. I did not even realize we were moving the patriot batteries so far north.

Posted by JAB 2003-03-23 19:49:44|| 2003-03-23 19:49:44|| Front Page Top

#33 Right before this thing is over I want them to save one Tomahawk and blow Al Jezzera TV off the fucking planet.

Posted by tu3031 2003-03-23 22:02:09|| 2003-03-23 22:02:09|| Front Page Top

#34 Just wait to the chemicals hit the air.How do you think the public is going to handle that?

Seems the majority of our soldiers are pershing in accidents,wrong turns,fake surrenders,one friggen demented U.S. soilder and those damn copters.Seems the safest place to be is in the bush.Keep up the good work and may Saddam burn in hell.

Posted by Brew 2003-03-23 23:06:23|| 2003-03-23 23:06:23|| Front Page Top

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