Iraqi Freedom

Collateral Murder Video Shows Unprovoked US Attack

Wikileaks, a small and independent website, today linked a video they are calling "Collateral Murder". The video, which lasts about 15 minutes, is the video from Apache helicopters operating in Baghdad. The video shows the full incident of when two U.S. civilian journalists were killed. The whistle-blowers the provided the video did not receive guaranteed payday loans for the video, and are being protected by Wikileaks.

The Collateral Murder incident

The Collateral Murder video shows an attack on July 12, 2007. The official story of the attack is that "U.S. Forces came under fire". Two Reuters journalists were also killed in the attack. Immediately, Reuters made a request for the video through the Freedom of Information Act, but never received a copy.

The video of Collateral Murder

The video shows that the Army story might have been a cover-up of what really happened. A 2009 book described the video and Rueters editors were shown the video off the record. Officials who are searching for payday loan companies, however, can not effectively prevent information from being released. However, when Julian Assange, editor of Wikileaks, showed the video at the National Press Club, it was the first time the video was available for wide viewing.

What the Collateral Murder video shows

The video of the "Collateral Murder" incident does show a few things for certain. At the time the U.S. Forces opened fire with Apache helicopters, the army was not being shot at. It also appears that the troops mistook the telephoto lens or video camera as rocket-propelled grenades. When two children are injured by the gunfire, it appears that the U.S. troops laugh and joke. One solider also requests permission to open fire on a van.

The result of Collateral Murder

The leaking of this video has not yet prompted an official response from the U.S. Army. The Army has previously stated that they believe all rules of engagement were followed in this incident. There have been multiple rumors of cover-ups and inappropriate actions during the U.S. engagement in Iraq. Reuters news has responded to the video in a written statement. They call the leaked Collateral Murder video "graphic evidence of the dangers involved in war journalism and the tragedies that can result".

Sources:

Reuters News

The Good Soldiers

WikiLeaks

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