Hearts and minds

WikiLeak yesterday released footage of US troops gunning down a dozen Iraqis including two cameramen. It is truly horrific but you can see it here. I can't say I was surprised by the footage itself, but the really shocking thing is the fact that the US military told Reuters, whose cameramen were killed, that the operation was basically normal.

The footage is there for all to see, but if you'd rather not, it goes like this. It is taken from a US helicopter and comes with the recorded dialogue between soldiers in the helicopter and command.

The patrol spots a group of a dozen or so men walking together in a seemingly relaxed fashion in the helicopter's gaze, but they are identified as a potential threat. Mistaking cameras for rocket-propelled grenades the helicopter opens fire killing most of them, leaving one of the cameramen crawling around desperately injured.

When they assess the damage they report back a successful operation. Shortly thereafter a van pulls up, as it happens with two children in the front, and men get out to carry the cameraman away. For no clear reason they open fire on the van, killing the adults and leaving the children struggling for life.

Finally tanks arrive, one of which drives over a body, causing mirth among the soldiers in the helicopter. Foot soldiers want to remove the children to a nearby military hospital but their request so to do is denied. Instead, they should be handed in to Iraqi police. One of the crew say: "Well it's their fault for bringing kids into a battle."