Marine Group in Iraq Issues Statement Blasting Images

Marine Group in Iraq Issues Statement Blasting Images
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Aug. 3, 2005

Marine Corps officials in Iraq issued an emotionally worded statement today as they investigate whether a body in a video and photographs circulating in the region are of a Marine killed in action this week. The Combined Press Information Center in Baghdad released the statement on behalf of the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward), which has lost 21 Marines to terrorist attacks in the last three days, including 14 who died in a roadside bomb explosion this morning.

"We are aware that a video and photos exist of a body purported to be a Marine killed in action near Haditha on Aug. 1," the statement said. "We are reviewing the materials to determine if the body shown is one of the Marines killed that day.”

Six Marines were killed in action near Haditha Aug. 1.

The statement went on to express condolences to the fallen Marines' families, friends and comrades, and regret that the images are circulating.
"We are sorry that the family of the person shown in the video might be subjected to such images," the statement said. "This disregard for all human life -- Iraqi or American, men, women and even children -- is a trait of the criminals and terrorists we are fighting. Their deplorable behavior demonstrates to the world that they have nothing positive to offer the people of Iraq. "
Taken from DoD News Release...
AubreyJ says: "Light the fires- please... Get the 'Sons-of- Bitches' who did these things to our Brave Service Men!!!!"