.Top general urges restraint by Marines in Iraq
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The top Marine Corps general flew to Iraq on Thursday to tell his troops they must kill "only when justified," as the U.S. military investigated whether Marines killed civilians in two incidents.
The trip by Gen. Michael Hagee, the Marine Corps commandant, to meet with Marines at bases in Iraq showed his personal concern over recent allegations about the actions of Marines in combat, the Marines said in a statement.
Military officials were to brief members of Congress on Thursday about a criminal probe into a November incident in which Marines are suspected of killing numerous civilians in Haditha, Iraq last November.
The military has said 15 civilians were killed, while a senior Republican lawmaker put the number at about 24.
In addition, the Marines announced on Wednesday a separate criminal investigation into the role of "several" troops in the death of an Iraqi civilian on April 26 in the area of Hamandiyah, west of Baghdad.
"We do not employ force just for the sake of employing force. We use lethal force only when justified, proportional and, most importantly, lawful," Hagee said in remarks, intended for Marines in Iraq, that were released by the military.
There are about 21,000 Marines currently deployed to Iraq. A total of 717 Marines have died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, the military said.
Hagee will emphasize a need to follow the laws of war, the Geneva Conventions and rules of engagement set by the military, the Marine Corps said. Marines are serving in Anbar province, one of the most violent parts of Iraq and the heart of the Sunni Muslim insurgency.
"We must regulate force and violence, we only damage property that must be damaged, and we protect the noncombatants we find on the battlefield," Hagee added.
'BRINGING DISHONOR'
He said Marines had to be "doubly on guard" when engaged in combat, particularly counterinsurgency operations.
"Many of our Marines have been involved in life or death combat or have witnessed the loss of their fellow Marines, and the effects of these events can be numbing. There is the risk of becoming indifferent to the loss of a human life, as well as bringing dishonor upon ourselves," Hagee added.
"The nature of this war with its ruthless enemies, and its complex and dangerous battlefield will continue to challenge us in the commitment to our core values. We must be strong and help one another to measure up. The war will also test our commitment to our belief in the rule of law," he added.
The Marines' statement said Hagee will address Marine Corps officers and enlisted troops in a series of events over the next several weeks inside and outside the United States.
Last week, Rep. Duncan Hunter, Republican chairman of the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, said "approximately 24 Iraqi civilians" were killed in Haditha.
Rep. John Murtha, a Pennsylvania Democrat and retired Marine Corps officer, said military reports on the incident will show that "our troops overreacted because of the pressure on them and they killed innocent civilians in cold blood," including women and children.
Reuters
I guess some things are the same no matter where you work. You can bet the boss is going to show up when the shit hits the fan.
The trip by Gen. Michael Hagee, the Marine Corps commandant, to meet with Marines at bases in Iraq showed his personal concern over recent allegations about the actions of Marines in combat, the Marines said in a statement.
Military officials were to brief members of Congress on Thursday about a criminal probe into a November incident in which Marines are suspected of killing numerous civilians in Haditha, Iraq last November.
The military has said 15 civilians were killed, while a senior Republican lawmaker put the number at about 24.
In addition, the Marines announced on Wednesday a separate criminal investigation into the role of "several" troops in the death of an Iraqi civilian on April 26 in the area of Hamandiyah, west of Baghdad.
"We do not employ force just for the sake of employing force. We use lethal force only when justified, proportional and, most importantly, lawful," Hagee said in remarks, intended for Marines in Iraq, that were released by the military.
There are about 21,000 Marines currently deployed to Iraq. A total of 717 Marines have died in the Iraq war since it began in March 2003, the military said.
Hagee will emphasize a need to follow the laws of war, the Geneva Conventions and rules of engagement set by the military, the Marine Corps said. Marines are serving in Anbar province, one of the most violent parts of Iraq and the heart of the Sunni Muslim insurgency.
"We must regulate force and violence, we only damage property that must be damaged, and we protect the noncombatants we find on the battlefield," Hagee added.
'BRINGING DISHONOR'
He said Marines had to be "doubly on guard" when engaged in combat, particularly counterinsurgency operations.
"Many of our Marines have been involved in life or death combat or have witnessed the loss of their fellow Marines, and the effects of these events can be numbing. There is the risk of becoming indifferent to the loss of a human life, as well as bringing dishonor upon ourselves," Hagee added.
"The nature of this war with its ruthless enemies, and its complex and dangerous battlefield will continue to challenge us in the commitment to our core values. We must be strong and help one another to measure up. The war will also test our commitment to our belief in the rule of law," he added.
The Marines' statement said Hagee will address Marine Corps officers and enlisted troops in a series of events over the next several weeks inside and outside the United States.
Last week, Rep. Duncan Hunter, Republican chairman of the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee, said "approximately 24 Iraqi civilians" were killed in Haditha.
Rep. John Murtha, a Pennsylvania Democrat and retired Marine Corps officer, said military reports on the incident will show that "our troops overreacted because of the pressure on them and they killed innocent civilians in cold blood," including women and children.
Reuters
I guess some things are the same no matter where you work. You can bet the boss is going to show up when the shit hits the fan.
posted by madtom at 7:34 PM
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