This piece was reprinted by OpEd News with permission or license. It may not be reproduced in any form without permission or license from the source.
It was willful, outrageous carnage, innocent civilians targeted in violation of fundamental international laws, ones America always flouts disdainfully.
Examples of Collective Punishment Killing
On April 1, 2003, US forces opened fire on civilians at a bakery.
On April 23, with Baghdad occupied, Fallujah students protested peacefully against their school taken over for a base. In response, US soldiers "fired indiscriminately," killing 13 and wounding 75. Medical workers trying to help were also shot. Among the dead were three children under age 11.
On April 30, US forces fired on a funeral, killing two civilians and wounding 14, including children.
On September 11, US and Blackwater forces "opened fire on the office of the mayor of Fallujah." An Iraqi Fallujah Protection Force (FPF) and two police patrols chased their vehicle until it entered a US camp 3 - 4 km away. They returned later, attacked the FPF, killing eight and wounding two. Ambulance services were also fired at to prevent them from providing aid.
Thereafter, US forces aggressively attacked Iraqi resistance elements, especially in Fallujah. Arbitrary arrests followed, their testimonies revealing acts of "systematic torture (and) humiliation." Assaults, arrests, killings, and abuse continued to target city residents, some accusing the Americans of systematic brutality.
Neighborhoods were attacked, a woman, trying to protect her baby, said a mad dog bit her. Soldiers also stole "money and jewels of families to prove that it's a mercenary army before it's an occupation" one.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
5
4
2
