Commanders brace for backlash of anti-US sentiment that could be more damaging than after the Abu Ghraib scandal
Commanders in Afghanistan are bracing themselves for possible riots and public fury triggered by the publication of "trophy" photographs of US soldiers posing with the dead bodies of defenceless Afghan civilians they killed.
Senior officials at Nato's International Security Assistance Force in Kabul have compared the pictures published by the German news weekly Der Spiegel to the images of US soldiers abusing prisoners in Abu Ghraib in Iraq which sparked waves of anti-US protests around the world.
They fear that the pictures could be even more damaging as they show the aftermath of the deliberate murders of Afghan civilians by a rogue US Stryker tank unit that operated in the southern province of Kandahar last year.
Some of the activities of the self-styled "kill team" are already public, with 12 men currently on trial in Seattle for their role in the killing of three civilians.
Five of the soldiers are on trial for pre-meditated murder, after they staged killings to make it look like they were defending themselves from Taliban attacks.
Other charges include the mutilation of corpses, the possession of images of human casualties and drug abuse.
All of the soldiers have denied the charges. They face the death penalty or life in prison if convicted.
The case has already created shock around the world, particularly with the revelations that the men cut "trophies" from the bodies of the people they killed.
An investigation by Der Spiegel has unearthed approximately 4,000 photos and videos taken by the men.
The magazine, which is planning to publish only three images, said that in addition to the crimes the men were on trial for there are "also entire collections of pictures of other victims that some of the defendants were keeping".
The US military has strived to keep the pictures out of the public domain fearing it could inflame feelings at a time when anti-Americanism in Afghanistan is already running high.
Re: US Army 'kill team' in Afghanistan posed with photos of murdered civilians
Salaam,
This is terrible.
I was looking at myself talking to myself and I realized this conversation...I was having with myself looking at myself was a conversation with myself that I needed to have with myself.
Re: US Army 'kill team' in Afghanistan posed with photos of murdered civilians
All involved deserve the death penalty, but I do want to point out that 99 percent of the guys over there are trying to help as much as they can and would never hurt civilians.
Re: US Army 'kill team' in Afghanistan posed with photos of murdered civilians
format_quote Originally Posted by
All involved deserve the death penalty, but I do want to point out that 99 percent of the guys over there are trying to help as much as they can and would never hurt civilians.
Although I understand it is your sentiment as a former service man, but I severely doubt this.
The soldiers are in Afghanistan (or Iraq) because they have to/ordered to. Give them the option between "let's stay to help out the afghanis" or "let's get out of here", and let's see how many actually choose to stay and "help the afghanis as much as they can".
as for not hurting civilians, that's complete bs, as evidence after evidence show that's not the case. Sure, not all are willing to kill civilians if they didn't have to, but certainly a lot more than just 1% are always ready to press the button to annihilate civilians if they think those civilians look suspicious enough. After all, who they value more, their own lives or afghanis?
Re: US Army 'kill team' in Afghanistan posed with photos of murdered civilians
Death penalty sounds good to me. These guys are sick.
The soldiers are in Afghanistan (or Iraq) because they have to/ordered to. Give them the option between "let's stay to help out the afghanis" or "let's get out of here", and let's see how many actually choose to stay and "help the afghanis as much as they can".
You might be surprised how many would stay to help. I am positive, though, most don't want people trying to kill them while they are trying to help. I am also pretty positive that most of those trying to kill them don't really have the welfare of the Afhani people as their top priority.
Re: US Army 'kill team' in Afghanistan posed with photos of murdered civilians
format_quote Originally Posted by naidamar
as for not hurting civilians, that's complete bs, as evidence after evidence show that's not the case. Sure, not all are willing to kill civilians if they didn't have to, but certainly a lot more than just 1% are always ready to press the button to annihilate civilians if they think those civilians look suspicious enough. After all, who they value more, their own lives or afghanis?
I realize that people have killed civilians but these guys were actually targeting civilians. You would be suprised how much people look after the civilians. A lot of people including myself spent a lot of our pay buying medical supplies for the people and candy and toys for the children.
Re: US Army 'kill team' in Afghanistan posed with photos of murdered civilians
format_quote Originally Posted by
I am also pretty positive that most of those trying to kill them don't really have the welfare of the Afhani people as their top priority.
I knew that I could always trust you to spin yet another news of sick civilians killings by american soldiers into how afghani independent fighters don't have the welfare of their own people as their top priority.
Re: US Army 'kill team' in Afghanistan posed with photos of murdered civilians
So, how many barbaric civilians killings like this one that have actually been happening in Iraq and Afghanistan in the past decade?
Even with US government, military, intelligence iron fist cover ups, we keep getting evidence that these things are happening.
Praise be to Allah that makes me muslim and belief in the day of judgement, so despite all those horrible things happening to my brothers and sisters, I know that punishments for those evil incarnates will be very severe.
May Allah SWT make jannah the abode for all the victims of american invasions to Iraq and Afghanistan. Amiin.
Re: US Army 'kill team' in Afghanistan posed with photos of murdered civilians
I knew that I could always trust you to spin yet another news of sick civilians killings by american soldiers into how afghani independent fighters don't have the welfare of their own people as their top priority.
How deep is your hatred towards muslims, really?
Are you equating disapproving of the Taliban with hating Muslims? That's just ridiculous.
Re: US Army 'kill team' in Afghanistan posed with photos of murdered civilians
Nothing new here, just shows who the real 'terrorists' are
He it is Who sends blessings on you, as do His angels, that He may bring you out from the depths of Darkness into Light: and He is Full of Mercy to the Believers. [Quran {33:43}] www.QuranicAudio.com www.Quran.com
Re: US Army 'kill team' in Afghanistan posed with photos of murdered civilians
format_quote Originally Posted by Fivesolas
The men should be tried in a court of law and punished. I do agree that the death penalty should be given out.
So would I if I were not opposed to the death penalty in all circumstances. This atrocity is right up there with My Lai, and let's all hope something rather closer to real justice comes to the perpetrators in this instance.
That said, before declaring who the 'real terrorists' are;
Not a pleasant sight for Tali-fans, I'm afraid. And they don't even have some of the same 'collateral damage' excuses; these deaths were deliberate, close up and personal.
As for
I knew that I could always trust you to spin yet another news of sick civilians killings by american soldiers into how afghani independent fighters don't have the welfare of their own people as their top priority.
I think the above shows how much priority 'afghani independent fighters' really give 'the welfare of their own people'. What a joke.
Re: US Army 'kill team' in Afghanistan posed with photos of murdered civilians
Allah already informed us that
---------------
005.051 يَا أَيُّهَا الَّذِينَ آمَنُوا لا تَتَّخِذُوا الْيَهُودَ وَالنَّصَارَى أَوْلِيَاءَ بَعْضُهُمْ أَوْلِيَاءُ بَعْضٍ وَمَنْ يَتَوَلَّهُمْ مِنْكُمْ فَإِنَّهُ مِنْهُمْ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الظَّالِمِينَ
005.051 O ye who believe! take not the Jews and the Christians for your friends and protectors: They are but friends and protectors to each other. And he amongst you that turns to them (for friendship) is of them. Verily Allah guideth not a people unjust.
005.052 Those in whose hearts is a disease - thou seest how eagerly they run about amongst them, saying: "We do fear lest a change of fortune bring us disaster." Ah! perhaps Allah will give (thee) victory, or a decision according to His will. Then will they repent of the thoughts which they secretly harboured in their hearts.
Re: US Army 'kill team' in Afghanistan posed with photos of murdered civilians
These verses fit the actions of the invading American armies in Afghhanistan and Iraq:
When it is said to them: "Do not make mischief on the Earth," they say: "Why? We only want to make peace." Beware, they are the ones that cause mischief but they do not realise. [Soorah al-Baqarah (2):11-12]
There is a type of man whose speech about the life of this world will dazzle you and he calls Allaah to witness as to what is in his heart, yet he is the most contentious of enemies. Whenever he holds the upperhand, his aim is to spread mischief everywhere through the earth and to destroy crops and cattle. But Allaah does not love mischief. [Soorah al-Baqarah (2):204-205]
Re: US Army 'kill team' in Afghanistan posed with photos of murdered civilians
format_quote Originally Posted by Trumble
That said, before declaring who the 'real terrorists' are;
Not a pleasant sight for Tali-fans, I'm afraid. And they don't even have some of the same 'collateral damage' excuses; these deaths were deliberate, close up and personal.
As for ...
I think the above shows how much priority 'afghani independent fighters' really give 'the welfare of their own people'. What a joke.
"Lies, ****ed lies, and statistics" is a phrase describing the persuasive power of numbers, particularly the use of statistics to bolster weak arguments, and the tendency of people to disparage statistics that do not support their positions. It is also sometimes colloquially used to doubt statistics used to prove an opponent's point. (Wikipedia)
Re: US Army 'kill team' in Afghanistan posed with photos of murdered civilians
format_quote Originally Posted by MustafaMc
"Lies, ****ed lies, and statistics" is a phrase describing the persuasive power of numbers, particularly the use of statistics to bolster weak arguments, and the tendency of people to disparage statistics that do not support their positions. It is also sometimes colloquially used to doubt statistics used to prove an opponent's point. (Wikipedia)
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