Questions about al-Zarqawi death

Did American soldiers beat him?

U.S. officials have altered their account of the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, saying he was alive and partly conscious after bombs destroyed his hideout, and an Iraqi man raised fresh questions about the events surrounding the end of Iraq’s most-wanted militant. The man, who lived near the scene of the bombing, told AP Television News on Friday that he saw U.S. soldiers beating an injured man resembling al-Zarqawi until blood flowed from the victim’s nose. When asked about the man’s allegations, military spokesman Maj. Gen. William Caldwell said he would check.

There appears to be some question as to whether or not American soldiers beat Zarqawi before he died. These are very serious charges. I can only say on thing:

If any American soldier, upon seeing a grievously wounded Zarqawi, FAILED to beat him brutally, then I want that soldier prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

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Comments

  1. Hans wrote:

    I disagree with your last paragraph. A living Zarqawi is infinitely more valuable than a dead one. As the leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq, he’s a treasure trove of information.

    Posted 11 Jun 2006 at 12:02 pm

  2. Foster wrote:

    And that’s why I think it’s nothing more than stupid to believe that U.S. troops did such a thing.

    Posted 11 Jun 2006 at 1:36 pm

  3. Hugh wrote:

    Well, if Zarqawi was barely alive when our troops found him, then he went into cardiac arrest, it is likely that a medic would have tried CPR…which can include pounding on a man’s chest.

    Query? Since CPR involves striking a patient, is its administration to a dying patient a war crime?

    Posted 12 Jun 2006 at 6:35 am

  4. John the Marine wrote:

    Yeh, true enough… He is more valuable alive. Treasure trove of info and all. However, I like Commie’s idea of brutally beating this guy. Maybe it is not practical, but it does sound like a good time.

    Posted 12 Jun 2006 at 8:22 am

  5. Steve Verdon wrote:

    Query? Since CPR involves striking a patient, is its administration to a dying patient a war crime?

    My guess would be no, since once the heart stops beating, IIRC, the person is dead and beating, shooting, etc. a corpse is generally not a crime. Well, so long as you don’t perform sexual acts….but…errr…I’ll be quiet now.

    Posted 12 Jun 2006 at 2:38 pm

  6. The Sanity Inspector wrote:

    He died a lingering, agonizing death, and his last emotion was sheer animal fright, at seeing approaching U.S. forces. Sounds like justice to me!

    Posted 12 Jun 2006 at 5:02 pm

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