US military condemns Afghan militants for using white phosphorus

[NNN0LHI]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/A/AS_AFGHANISTAN?SITE=ILKAN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

May 11, 8:33 AM EDT


US military: 44 Afghan cases of white phosphorus

By JASON STRAZIUSO
Associated Press Writers

KABUL (AP) -- The U.S. military accused militants in Afghanistan on Monday of using white phosphorus munitions in attacks on American forces and in civilian areas, saying it has documented at least 44 incidents of insurgents using or storing the weapons. A spokeswoman labeled the attacks "reprehensible."

White phosphorus is a spontaneously flammable material that leaves severe chemical burns on flesh. Using white phosphorus to illuminate a target or create smoke is considered legitimate under international law, but rights groups say its use over populated areas can indiscriminately burn civilians and constitutes a war crime.

The U.S. military, in documents supplied to The Associated Press, said there had been at least seven instances of militants using white phosphorus in improvised explosive attacks since spring 2007, including attacks in civilian areas. snip

The U.S. military used white phosphorus in the battle of Fallujah in Iraq in November 2004. Israel's military used it in January against Hamas targets in Gaza.

[tekisui]

1. I wonder where they got it?

[JonLP24]

2. That is nasty shit

I can't believe the Army used it before. I don't know how anyone can defend using that incendiary. I bet Rush, Hannity would find a way but it is morally unacceptable to use that agent.

[NNN0LHI]

8. "I can't believe the Army used it before" insinuates they have stopped using it

About when did they stop using it?

Don

[JonLP24]

9. I have no idea, I'm no longer there

All I know is my unit never carried that shit.

[Recursion]

13. We had flares

One had a defect and went off; nearly took off a guy's arm. Nasty stuff.

My understanding is the use mentioned below in Fallujah is a pretty grey area: the WP was used to burn down a bunker... that happened to have fighters in it.

[NNN0LHI]

17. Burn down a bunker? Here watch this

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4100751410795302323

Fallujah The hidden massacre - U.S. Use of white phosphorus bombs

[hobbit709]

3. Pot, meet kettle!

[Smith_3]

4. Crybabys. nt

[dipsydoodle]

5. This is what is colloquially known

as the boot being on the other foot to which the standard answer is deal with it.

[shadowknows69]

6. Ok, sure. The Taliban just has tons of Willy Pete laying around

But they never attack our troops with it.

/tin foil hat off

[pnutbutr]

7. militants

are not constrained by the Geneva Conventions so it's not illegal for them to use it directly against civilians and the US military. It's pretty messed up that they are using it as a weapon to injure and kill.


As for the US's use it was used as a smoke screen which is allowed by the conventions. Israel used it for the same reason and primarily deployed it outside Gaza city in unpopulated areas although there were some abuses that should be punished.

[NNN0LHI]

10. Smoke screen? Pentagon officials say white phosphorous was used as a weapon

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/11/16/AR2005111600374.html

Pentagon Used White Phosphorous in Iraq

By ROBERT BURNS
The Associated Press
Wednesday, November 16, 2005; 5:49 AM

WASHINGTON -- Pentagon officials say white phosphorous was used as a weapon against insurgent strongholds during the battle of Fallujah last November, but deny an Italian television news report that it was used against civilians.

Lt. Col. Barry Venable, a Pentagon spokesman, said Tuesday that while white phosphorous is most frequently used to mark targets or obscure a position, it was used at times in Fallujah as an incendiary weapon against enemy combatants.


And Israel used it in unpopulated areas? WTF?

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/middle_east/article5521925.ece

January 15, 2009

UN headquarters in Gaza hit by Israeli 'white phosphorus' shells

The main UN compound in Gaza was left in flames today after being struck by Israeli artillery fire, and a spokesman said that the building had been hit by shells containing the incendiary agent white phosphorus.

The attack on the headquarters of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) came as Ban Ki Moon, the UN Secretary-General, arrived in Israel on a peace mission and plunged Israel's relations with the world body to a new low.

Mr Ban expressed his "strong protest and outrage" at the shelling and demanded an investigation, only to be told by apologetic Israeli leaders that their forces had been returning fire from within the UN compound.

[pnutbutr]

11. oh

I didn't know that about the US using it specifically as a weapon and yes Israel used it primarily outside Gaza city and as I said did use it within and should be punished for it.

[shadowknows69]

12. Yeah, we only used it for cover in Fallujah too.

How dare All the babies and mothers burned to death got in the way of our "smoke screen"

[L0oniX]

14. Hmmm "Afghan militants" Not Al Quida? Not the Taliban? Not Osama?

Hmmm who makes those phosphorus weapons? Left overs from the Rumsfeld sale of the century when the Taliban were our friends?

[Orsino]

15. MSM, please correct your history books accordingly.

:eyes:

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

16. British condemn American rebels for using muskets.