Collateral Murder? Really?! UPDATED

During July of 2007, the US Military was engaged in an effort to reclaim Baghdad from the grip of an insurgency. This effort was known as 'The Surge.' The US military was charged with "help[ing] Iraqis clear and secure neighborhoods, ... help[ing] them protect the local population, and to help ensure that the Iraqi forces left behind are capable of providing the security."

Two Reuters journalists embedded with some insurgents in Iraq during July of 2007. While the group of militants was being watched by two Apache helicopters providing air cover for a ground unit, at least two individuals in the group produce what are identified by the helicopter pilots as weapons, including AK47s and an RPG. As their primary mission is to provide security for the ground ropps which are headed toward this group, the Apache's request and receive permission to engage the militants. The two embedded journalists are killed in the ensuing fire fight. Approximately half way through the engagement, an unmarked dark colored van enters the area and attempts to evacuate the bodies and injured. The van is also engaged by the Apaches. It is determined after the fact that there were two children inside the van.

The incident is now being portrayed as a willful act of murder perpetrated by the United States Military. The website Wikileaks has set up a site dedicated to the incident entitled 'Collateral Murder.'

Watch the video, and read the thoughts of Ed Morrissey and Rusty Shackleford.

Lesson: Do not embed with a militant force who is outgunned in the sky and on the ground unless you are willing to pay the ultimate price. Also, don't take your kids into an active war zone, ever.

CONTENT WARNING



UPDATE:

Creative editing by Wikileaks?

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