Recent Developments in Iraq

The War in Iraq celebrated its third birthday this past March with a festival of death, carnage, misinformation and continued tragedy that is nothing new to the soldiers and civilians impacted first hand by the struggle.

One of the most disturbing news bites to filter from the front lines recently received little attention in the United States’ media. Little would have come of the story if not first reported through Reuters and media outlets throughout the UK and Europe.

The events in question took place on March 15th in the small Iraqi village of Abu Sifa. According to US military documents, a group of soldiers raided a house suspected of harboring insurgents. The document states that after taking fire, the American soldiers returned fire, using ground and air assaults resulting in the deaths of one man, two women and one child, and the destruction of the house. However, according to Iraqi police officials, Ali Ahmed and Farouq Hussein, the actual death toll was two men, four women and five children between the ages of six months to five years. The US-backed Iraqi officials also stated that the deceased had been bound and killed by single gunshot wounds to the head before the house was destroyed with explosives. US-issued spent shell casings were also found inside the ruins of the house. AP photographers documented the damage and numerous local villagers confirmed the story.

One such local, Ahmed Khalaf, was an Iraqi security officer and brother of the house’s owner. He witnessed an American helicopter land near the house in the early morning. He described hiding when he heard intense firing, and then brief silence before the American troops quickly evacuated and the house was destroyed. Khalaf stated to journalists, “the killed family was not part of the resistance, they were women and children. The Americans have promised us a better life, but we get only death.”

The incident is one of some 600 cases of American troop abuses that has been or is currently being investigated by the government, says a spokesperson for the Pentagon. A study to be published in April conducted by three Human Rights organizations states that soldiers convicted of improper behavior are rarely severely punished. A typical punishment would be loss of rank and pay grade.

The light punishments that soldiers convicted of unbecoming actions have received have raised many concerns from such human rights organizations and has focused more negative attention on the United States, our military, and our nation’s leaders in their decision to invade Iraq.

The bad press received, though not thoroughly reported in the United States, is devastating to the war effort. Even more, in ignoring the atrocities, our press shirks their own crucial responsibilities, and leaves the American public blind and ignorant to the real issues hindering progress in Iraq. Until the government becomes serious about running a legitimate war effort that is fought reflecting the ideals of the United States, it will be impossible to successfully establish democracy in Iraq. The flaws of the few continue to impede the progress of the many, and until such problems are rooted out there is little hope that the invasion will ever be worth the price the American public has paid in lives, dollars and heartache.