Afghans: U.S. troops shot at civilians

[rodeodance]

gowdssssssss--i feel so bad for these troops--they find themselves in the midst of a civil war just like in Iraq!



http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070304/ap_on_re_as/afghan_violence

Afghans: U.S. troops shot at civilians

By RAHIM FAIEZ, Associated Press Writer 32 minutes ago

JALALABAD, Afghanistan - U.S. Marines fleeing a militant ambush Sunday opened fire on civilian cars and pedestrians on a busy highway in eastern
Afghanistan, wounded Afghans said. Up to 16 people were killed and 34 wounded in the violence, officials said.
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A suicide attacker detonated an explosives-filled minivan as the American convoy approached, then militant gunmen fired on the troops inside the vehicles, who returned fire, the U.S. military said.

As the Americans sped away, they treated every car and person along the highway as a potential attacker, said Mohammad Khan Katawazi, the district chief of Shinwar. But Maj. William Mitchell, a U.S. military spokesman, said those killed and injured may have been shot by the militants.

More than a half dozen Afghans recuperating from bullet wounds told The Associated Press that the U.S. forces fired indiscriminately along at least a six-mile stretch of one of eastern Afghanistan's busiest highways — a route often filled not only with cars and trucks but Afghans on foot and bicycles.

"They were firing everywhere, and they even opened fire on 14 to 15 vehicles passing on the highway," said Tur Gul, 38, who was standing on the roadside by a gas station and was shot twice in his right hand. "They opened fire on everybody, the ones inside the vehicles and the ones on foot."

[acmavm]

1. Bullshit. There is no defense for this behavior...

<snip>

"They were firing everywhere, and they even opened fire on 14 to 15 vehicles passing on the highway," said Tur Gul, 38, who was standing on the roadside by a gas station and was shot twice in his right hand. "They opened fire on everybody, the ones inside the vehicles and the ones on foot."

<snip>

[IndianaGreen]

2. The rules of engagement are to open fire in every direction after an IED explosion

We have seen US troops do this time and time again in Iraq as well in Afghanistan. Clearly, this is not an aberration, or a loss of command and control. These are not troops going wild. What it is, these are troops following orders, and their orders are to open fire in every direction after an IED explosion.

Remember that the torture of prisoners was also done under orders from the highest levels of the Bush regime, but only the lower ranks were punished.

[Igel]

3. Were the 'militant gunmen' in uniforms or clearly

distinguishable from civilians?

If not, you can't expect the US soldiers' behavior to change.

It makes clear why the Geneva Conventions say what they do.