Pentagon says Iraq incident didn't involve mosque

[sabra]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/27/AR2006032700627.html

Pentagon says Iraq incident didn't involve mosque
Reuters

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Pentagon said on Monday no mosques were entered or damaged in an operation involving Iraqi and U.S. forces that killed more than a dozen people and prompted Iraq's ruling Shi'ite alliance to urge American forces to return control of security to Iraqis.

Asked about Sunday's operation, Bryan Whitman, a senior Pentagon spokesman, reiterated a version of events put out by the U.S. military command in Iraq.

Whitman said that "my understanding is that there were no mosques that were entered into or damaged as part of this operation." He said that "there were U.S. special forces in support of the operation," but declined to state the role played by American troops.

Government-run Iraqi media have portrayed the operation as a U.S. raid on unarmed worshipers in a holy place. Iraq's security minister, Abd al-Karim al-Enzi, said 37 people were killed in the attack.

Here's another spokesman's comments:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4850108.stm

<snip>

The room where the killing occurred appeared to be a prayer hall. The floors are carpeted and the walls covered with religious posters.

The tape showed a tangle of male bodies and spent 5.56mm bullet casings on the blood-smeared floor - the kind of ammunition used by the US military.

"In our observation of the place and the activities that were going on, it's difficult for us to consider this a place of prayer," said US military spokesman Barry Johnson.

"It was not identified by us as a mosque, though we certainly recognised it as a community gathering centre. I think this is frankly a matter of perception," he added.

[MadMaddie]

1. From bad to worse...

[Vidar]

2. Didn't have theri Grail beacon up.

[ShortnFiery]

3. Too bad ... it has just been reported on NPR

That EVERY source that is not part of the US Military have reported this occurred IN A MOSQUE. What the US defines as a "Prayer Hall? The Western Forces have no idea about how religion and cultural norms RULE IRAQ.

We are in a world of shit! Everyone :(.

[Barrett808]

4. Juan Cole explains that this is was not a mosque, but a "Husayniyah"

The Mustafa Husayniyah, however, is not a mosque and may not have been distinguishable as a religious edifice to non-Shiites. Shiites mourn their martyred Imams, the descendants of the Prophet, in centers called Husayniyahs after the Imam Husayn, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad. As for the killing being done by Iraqi troops, if it was a joint mission, then the US forces are going to take some of the blame.

http://www.juancole.com/2006/03/69-killed-in-separate-outbreaks-of.html

[ShortnFiery]

5. Evidently "The Mustafa Husayniyah" must translate to the

effect that it's JUST AS IMPORTANT as a Mosque?

We're splitting hairs here? It this not a religious "no no" equivalent to attacking a Mosque?

[Teaser]

6. Thank you.

I've been pointing this out everywhere. Our military doesn't understand that there are many kinds of holy sites in islam, especially the shiite branch.

[Roland99]

10. Thanks for that info.

[NickB79]

12. If spent 5.56mm casings were found, it was US troops doing the shooting

"As for the killing being done by Iraqi troops, if it was a joint mission, then the US forces are going to take some of the blame."

Iraqi troops are still being armed with AK-47 rifles, which fire a 7.62mm round. If they indeed found empty 5.56mm rounds from US M-16, M-4 and SAW rifles, it was US troops pulling the triggers, not Iraqi forces "backed" by US troops.

Also, a simple autopsy would reveal what kind of ammunition was used. 5.56mm rounds generally fragment into many small pieces after penetrating several inches into the body, while 7.62mm rounds don't have sufficient velocity to fragment, and will either stay in one piece inside the body or exit through the other side.

[uppityperson]

7. not a "catherdral" just a "church"?

I percieve prayer rugs and religious posters.

[Lone_Star_Dem]

9. That was my take on it, also

A house of worship is a house of worship is a house of worship... until the US kills the people inside. Then it becomes a room with some prayer rugs.

[Just Me]

8. It was a religious site, you "matter of perception" dumbass!!!

I need to grab a bat and beat on a stump for a few to rid myself of this building frustration over "perception management" issues!

:grr:

[0007]

11. Now the Pentagon is insulting our intelligence.