Marines in Fallujah are now reporting an odd incident in which 16 American and 3 Iraqi security contractors were detained for firing at US soldiers and Iraqi defense forces last month. Some may jump to the conclusion that this is evidence of a 'shoot first, ask questions later' mentality among these paramilitary forces, but I would caution against that. Friendly fire incidents are very common in combat situations (think back to Pat Tillman), especially in places like Fallujah that have been hotbeds of terrorist activity in the past.
Still, the fact that the Marines detained the men for some time does indicate that they were, at the very least, royally pissed at getting shot at by Americans.
CNN:
U.S. Marines detained 16 American and three Iraqi security contractors in Falluja last month, according to a Marine statement released Wednesday.
The Marines said the contractors fired at them and at civilians, a charge the contractors deny. The security workers said they were mistreated while in custody; the Marines denied the accusations.
"The Americans were segregated from the rest of the detainee population and, like all security detainees, were treated humanely and respectfully," the Marine statement said.
The dispute began May 28 when Marines in the city in Anbar province said they were shot at by men in trucks and SUVs, according to the military statement.
The Marines said the men were also firing "at and near civilian cars."
Three hours later, another Marine post said it took fire from a convoy matching the description from the first incident.
Marines used spike strips to stop the trucks and the 19 men were taken to Camp Falluja, just outside the city.
The Marines said the men were held for three days before being taken to their compound in Baghdad, where they were released without their weapons and vehicles.
The Americans are employees of Charlotte, North Carolina-based Zapata Engineering, which has been hired to destroy weapons caches found in Iraq, said Mary Richards, Zapata's senior vice president for operations.
The group that was detained was part of a security convoy, she said.
1
I too would be royally pissed. I think I'd understand that it happens, but still, I'd be royally pissed.
Posted by: tyler at June 09, 2005 10:13 AM (Y9Lwb)
2
This clearly does not support Lefty claims that our GIs are "targeting" journalists-- not that anything usually supports Lefty claims.
Posted by: Carlos at June 09, 2005 10:15 AM (8e/V4)
3
I can't wait to hear the details of this incident. It should be interesting since I can't imagine how anyone could confuse Marines with Joe Jihadi.
Posted by: Improbulus Maximus at June 09, 2005 10:48 AM (0yYS2)
Posted by: Avary at June 09, 2005 03:08 PM (75qFN)
5
Seems to me that its coming to a bad day for America when some misfits whose names cant be pronounced in english, accuse our marines in Iraq of lying and making up a story about being shot at.I honestly believe that our Marines, who are risking their lives everyday for someone elses worthless country, while ours is being taken over by their kind, fully know and understand the difference between a gunshot and a shovel and the direction from which it came. Cmon "jack". Get behind America and her troops or go home where you belong.
Posted by: bill blue at June 10, 2005 10:08 PM (crwmM)
6
Dont know what type of camel skin or pork rind they write the quran on, but Ive heard it dont make good --- wipe.
Posted by: bill blue at June 10, 2005 10:41 PM (crwmM)
7
I think that these contractors should be held responsable just like any other American serving in that country. Those contractors run around that country knowing that they are not going to be held to any fire for whatever they do! That is why there are incidents like this one. I am in full understanding that you must do what you can to survive, but to totally out of control is uncalled for.
Posted by: franpasrt at June 25, 2005 03:06 PM (Lb175)
8
I think that these contractors should be held responsable just like any other American serving in that country. Those contractors run around that country knowing that they are not going to be held to any fire for whatever they do! That is why there are incidents like this one. I am in full understanding that you must do what you can to survive, but to totally out of control is uncalled for.
Posted by: franpasrt at June 25, 2005 03:06 PM (Lb175)
9
ATTN: I am Sir Usman Belo(Esq),a Solicitor, I am the
Personal Attorney to Mr.F. Harry a national of
your country who was an oil merchant in Nigeria.
On
the 21st of April 2001, my client, his wife and
their
two children were involved in a car accident along
Sagbama Express Road, here in Nigeria and all
occupants of the vehicle unfortunately lost their
lives.
Since then I have made several inquiries to locate
any
of my clients extended relatives, this has proven
unsuccessful. After these several unsuccessful
attempts, I decided to trace his relatives over
the
Internet,but of no avail, hence I mandated my
secretary to search for any possible relative of
my
late clients in the Internet before the bank get
the
account confiscated or declared
unserviceable,particularly, where the deceased had
an
account valued at about US$25.6m (Twentyfive Point
Six
Million United States Dollars).
The bank has issued me an ultimatum notice to
provide
the next of kin or have the account confiscated
within
the next 21 working days. I then decided to
present
you as the next of kin of the deceased since my
client
is from the same country with you and his middle
name
is similar to yours , The said amount will be paid
to
you if you comply immediately and with all the
necessary documents of the deceased in my
possession
it will be very easy and convient.
Immediately the money is paid to you, 55% of the
total
amount will be for me, 40% for you, while the
remaining 5% should be for miscalleneous expenses
or
tax as your government may require, I have all the
necessary legal documents that can be used to back
up
any claim we may make,All I require is your honest
cooperation to enable us see this transaction
through.
I guarantee that this will be executed under a
legitimate arrangement that will protect you from
any
breach of the law, Please, you are advised to
reply
immediately through my alternative direct e-mail
address stated as quote:usmanbelo2007@yahoo.co.uk
I await your prompt response!
Best regards,
Sir Usman Belo(Esq).
SENIOR ADVOCATE OF NIGERIA(SAN)
Posted by: Barr usman belo at June 27, 2005 09:14 AM (bbaXG)
10
You don't even know whole story of the contractors in Iraq trying to do their job. I personally know two of the contractors and know the story the marines are putting out is not true. They treated fellow Americans who also served their country in the military prior to becoming contractors like dirt. The Marines in my opinion feel they are above the law...Lets see what happens when the final truth is realved.
Posted by: shellita66 at July 02, 2005 11:24 AM (0r2lQ)
Hide Comments
| Add Comment
