US troops told to ‘shoot first’ in Iraq
Residents of Haditha, where US marines killed 24 Iraqis in 2005, say they have little hope of achieving justice.
Published On 10 Jan 2012
A military jury has heard that a US marine told his men to shoot first and ask questions later in the Iraqi town of Haditha in 2005.
Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich is the only man still on trial for the alleged “revenge” killings of 24 Iraqi civilians. He was part of a squad that was hunting for suspects after one of their comrades was killed by a roadside bomb.
For many of the people of Haditha, the memory of the loss of their family members and friends is still a fresh memory. But, they hold little hope that Wuterich will be convicted.
Al Jazeera’s Omar Al Saleh reports from Baghdad.
Source: Al Jazeera