EXCLUSIVE-Marines to cite war chaos as Haditha defense-source

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N07171643.htm

LOS ANGELES, June 7 (Reuters) - U.S. Marines accused of killing 24 unarmed Iraqis in Haditha will cite chaotic battle conditions as their defense if charged with murder, said a source close to one of the soldiers under investigation.

The source, who declined to be identified because military prosecutors have yet to press charges, said some of the 24 dead could have been insurgents. Those killed in the western Iraqi town last Nov. 19 included men, women and children.

Witnesses had said Marines opened fire on Iraqi civilians to retaliate for a roadside bomb, but the source told Reuters late on Tuesday that what happened was part of a bigger picture in which soldiers were fighting insurgents for several hours.

"There wasn't just this skirmish," the source said. "There seemed to be a lot of combat that occurred for hours. Some insurgents threw hand grenades at Marines. In the immediate area there were insurgents engaging Marines. There were aircraft involved. We dropped a 500-pound bomb on a building where some alleged insurgents were."

[acmavm]

1. Yeah, I bet those women and kids put up one hell of a fight.

[frylock]

2. if they run, then they're an insurgent..

if they just sit there in their wheelchair or crib, they're a well-trained insurgent.

[acmavm]

3. Thanks for the explanation.