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Subscribe to RSSArmy officials are conducting a criminal investigation into newly revealed photographs showing U.S. troops posing with body parts of dead Afghan suicide bombers. NBC's Jim Miklaszewski reports.
Updated at 2 p.m. ET: KABUL: The Los Angeles Times published photos showing U.S. troops posing with the body parts of dead suicide bombers in Afghanistan on Wednesday, prompting condemnations from American officials even before the pictures were posted on the newspaper's website.
A total of 18 pictures showing soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division were taken in 2010 and given to the Times by a soldier who served with the 82nd Airborne's 4th Brigade Combat Team from Ft. Bragg, N.C., the newspaper reported. Only two of the 18 photos appeared on the site.
In an apparent attempt at damage control, the commander of NATO-led forces in Afghanistan said in a statement -- issued before the photographs and story appeared on the Times' site -- that he condemned the apparent actions of U.S. personnel in the pictures.
Afghanistan: Nation at a crossroads
"The commander of the International Security Assistance Force, Gen. John R. Allen, strongly condemns the actions depicted in photos released by LA Times that appear to show U.S. Army personnel posing with the bodies of insurgents who killed themselves in suicide attacks in 2010," NATO said in a statement, according to NBC News.
"The actions of the individuals photographed do not represent the policies of ISAF or the U.S. Army," Allen said.
Speaking to reporters in Brussels, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta on Wednesday also condemned the photos. In addition, he made a point to slam the L.A. Times for publishing them, saying he regrets that they were ever made public.
"This is war and I know that war is ugly and it's violent and I know that young people sometimes caught up in the moment make some very foolish decisions," Panetta said. "I am not excusing that. I am not excusing that behavior but neither do I want these images to bring further injury to our people or to our relationship with the Afghan people." Panetta said.
Pictures taken two years ago showing American soldiers posing with the severed legs of a dead Taliban suicide bomber are being condemned by the Pentagon. NBC's Jim Miklaszewski reports.
"We had urged the LA Times not to run those photos. The reason for that is those kinds of photos are used by the enemy to incite violence and lives have been lost as a result of the publications of similar photos in the past. We regret that they were published," Panetta said.
In an earlier statement issued by the Pentagon, Panetta said: "These images by no means represent the values or professionalism of the vast majority of U.S. troops serving in Afghanistan today.
Panetta said an investigation that could lead to disciplinary measures is underway.
The news comes at a time of growing sensitivity over the presence of foreign troops in Afghanistan after a series of damaging and embarrassing incidents involving U.S. troops.
Video: Defense chief slams 'deplorable' Marine video
In January, a video surfaced showing U.S. Marines urinating on Taliban corpses and then came widespread uproar in Afghanistan over the burning of copies of the Quran at the main American base in the country.
Then on March 17 people, mostly children and women, were killed in two villages of Kandahar province in an unexplained shooting rampage blamed on a U.S. soldier. At the time, Afghan President Hamid Karzai called for NATO forces to pull out of rural areas and stay in their bases, saying he was at the "end of the rope."
A spike in so-called green-on-blue attacks -- by Afghan army and police on U.S. and other foreign forces -- has stoked concern that some of that anger is spilling over into the security forces and turning them against their Western allies.
The Pentagon said it was investigating Wednesday's incident, which could lead to disciplinary measures.
"Anyone found responsible for this inhuman conduct will be held accountable in accordance with our military justice system,” the statement said.
"The danger is that this material could be used by the enemy to incite violence against U.S. and Afghan service members in Afghanistan. U.S. forces in the country are taking security measures to guard against it," it added.
A spokesman for President Hamid Karzai declined to comment on the report, telling NBC News it would be inappropriate to do so for the time being.
U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan Ryan Crocker also condemned the actions depicted in photos.
NBC News and Reuters contributed to this report.
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You know I have been reading peoples comments for awhile now and never decided to comment on the issue or what people say. Forgive me, I don’t know if it is my old age kicking in or im just tired of seeing what people say. I honestly can’t believe what is said out there, ya we have the freedom of speech, and it is what it is. But let’s get real, when it comes to war there is always going to be pros and cons until the end of time. We all need to face the fact that some people believe and some people don’t and that there will always be war while man walks this plant. It all comes down to what I said earlier that we continue to support OUR military, say thank you to them when you see them, shake their hand, say welcome home and God Bless.
This is a fantasy versus reality-based pseudo intellectual tempest in a chamber pot!
American troops are held to a higher standard.they're call "Rules of Engagement" that unrealistically, unreasonably and unnecessarily put them in harms way for the sake of domestic as well as global public opinion.
You don't hear this inane rhetoric at US Militray & Veternas Hospitals or at the in-country or home town funeral services for American services men & women killed in action by these third world zealots that we're supposed to feel for.
What pure silliness...............really it's *ull *hit.
Go away, the people pitching this line of thought offends me and insults the people who keep us safe from harm every day.
WELL SAID
Piss on the parts too!
If you are trying to kill me and I kill you first, then I will take a picture of your dead body and other un-mentionables, that just the way the cookie crumbles. Furthermore, if we are in a firefight and you surrender, you better have ammo in you gun. Why? Because if I find that your gun is empty and the only reason you surrendered is because you ran out of bullets, then I am just going to shoot you right where you stand. You should have surrendered before you ran out of bullets. My attitude is why I could never be in the military. I have absolutely zero respect for my enemies.
"This material may be used by the enemy to incite violence against US and Afghan service members in Afghanistan" We condemn our soldiers for the pictures, but give MSNBC, NBC, Reuters and The Los Angeles Times a free ride. Nothing incites as much violence as the media, and while they are first in holding everyone else accountable, they offer little accountability of themselves.
A photo of a US Serviceman with a dead suicide bomber is child's play when you are cutting the heads off of people.
Suicide Bombers are revered as hero's in the eyes of the enemy. Pictures only prove that martyrdom is alive and well and nothing more.
A photo will have no impact in the level of violence. Haterid of the United States alone is what fuels the violence, not a picture. Now burning a Koran is a different story...
HELLO!! Bin Ladin is dead. Mission accomplished. Bring our troops home and leave a note saying that any attacks on America or American citizens any place in the world will bring an end to this country. 6 missles ought to do it. We're tired of their crap and their religion. They pose a threat to our national security and we will take all steps necessary to protect our nation and our citizens.
The US is still helping the Afghanistan citizens. It is estimated that the Soviets left 10 to 15 million mines behind. Land mines have killed over 25,000 Afghan citizens. Countries are trying to "DE-Mine" Afghanistan and the US is still assisting them in mine clearing operations.
That is part of the reason the US is still there.
I have no problem with them taking pics, but they need to stop posting them. That is what is getting them trouble.
We easily put down a dog who has just bitten someone, without hesitation. We don't do a psycological evaluation on the dog we just effing kill him. This ass----, Bales, that killed 17 innocent people should be treated the same way. They say it could take "years" before there is a trial, well that is raw BS folks. He's a fricken murderer people! Is that so hard for you buttheads to figure out?? What's wrong with this fricken world??? This guy has no rights, AT ALL!!!! SO FRY HIS MILITARY ASS!
Then do the same to the asswipe at Fort Hood..
And all the other murderers in Prison. Think of the tax dollars saved.
Let's make a deal. If they agree to stop blowing themselves up and shooting at us, we won't take pictures of their mangled bodies and post them on Facebook.
I agree...prepare to employ the K.I.S.S. method....MOVE (shouts).
Stuff them and hang them in the den...they hang ours on bridges and overpasses
Our system puts a person in jail for 10 years for smoking a joint but Bales gets preferential treatment, WHAT???
Have you been taking your head diaper out of the pail again reed? We've told you over and over use the ones in the drawer!
Reed, what state will put a person in jail for 10 years for smoking a joint.
With that said...someone that is caught with any illegal drug, even your hippie weed, should be locked up for life.
You should volunteer to be the poster boy for the reason why people should not smoke pot.
Reed's only making an analogy ......... Just an example. He has a point though. Think of the time you or anyone else has to do according to the crime. Rape, 5 to 10 years. Steal $.... longer sentences etc... etc... etc.... WTF man.
I know, it helps if the analogy is comparable. Not off in left field.
You both are trying to compare crime in the US to pictures taken in a war over seas. Photos may be immoral in the eyes of some, but it is not against the law to take a picture of a dead person.
Halo- here in Texas my friend got pulled over and had a STEM in her ashtray, she got three years of probation, and she doesn't even smoke pot her husband did.
I am sure that things like this have been happening since the camera became portable. If the enemy does not like, don't attack us. If our military leaders do not like it, tough, do you want a bunch of little babies in our miltary.
Come on.......US troops have done this in every war. We did it in Vietnam and it's done by just about every military troop in the world. It's war!
Mike S.
Buffalo, NY
Why do we do this this way? Because we've always done it this way. What a crock of s&*t!
descrs it will never change either, the only crock here is people that have never served trying to judge people who have!
There is no honor in war. Violence is the resort of those who cannot succeed with reason. The attack on 9/11 was the result of decades of foreign policy creating enemies abroad by starving foreign nationals with embargoes and sanctions. If you watched your children and your neighbors children die of starvation or disease because of another nation interfering with your countries sovereignty, you might find yourself with a bomb strapped to your chest in the hopes that you could punish at least ONE of the people who created the situation.
I'm sickened by the inability of Americans to recognize that the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are a result of their own indifference towards the suffering their bad choices have caused others. We BUILT the Taliban to fight a war by proxy and then left them to watch their brethren die for OUR cause against the Soviet Union. Our money paid for the weapons, but their blood paid for the fighting. When the Soviet Union collapsed, our interest in their well-being ended and we left a bloodthirsty, well armed, unguided military machine in charge of a country with few resources.
But we don't like to talk about the history. We like to focus on how "savage" and "extreme" they are. Well, folks, WE made them that way. If you were old enough to vote in the 80's then 9/11 was as much YOUR fault as it was Osama Bin Laden, because you footed the bill for his education as a terrorist. You built the Al Queda network with your tax dollars. You knocked down the Twin Towers with your arrogance and you killed 3,600 New Yorkers with your indolence.
And now we recruit more terrorists daily by humiliating the enemy... photographing the dead and treating them as animals, instead of human beings who are just trying to find a path to their own happiness without interference from a foreign nation.
I disagree with Islamic Extremism, but we can only overcome it by proving we have a better way; not by engaging them as equals, but by demonstrating the actual superiority of our culture. Aggression is the method of the failed state. Those who promote aggression don't understand history. Commerce, diplomacy and education win nations. War simply costs lives and demonstrates to others that we are incapable of respecting them.
Vindictive29;
Your naivete is voluminous! Clearly, Stalin had you in mind when he coined his phrase! Good Luck with that!
@tedcrawford
What part of my statement is factually untrue? The US government trained Afghan troops in Afghanistan to fight the Soviet Union. That's a historical fact. American foreign policy created the enemy we're fighting now.
No occupation of Afghanistan by a foreign nation has been successful since 647. Also a fact. You can't win on that ground without either exterminating the entire population or converting them to your cause. Humiliating them and killing their families and friends and then broadcasting that humiliation on Youtube and Twitter is NOT going to convert them into friends.
The only successful "conquests" of foreign nations in history have been the result of empires demonstrating that the advantages of friendship are of a significant value to the culture of the indigenous peoples. Even then, unless you win the hearts of the people by improving the life of the average citizen, you end up with something like the Boxer Rebellion eventually...
If you think I'm naive, I suggest you read more history and play less Call of Duty. Soldiers don't win offensive wars... commerce does.
Soldiers don't win offensive wars? Guess you need to study your history a little better. Look at some us footage of the wars we have won since the dawn of the camera and get back to us. All wars are offensive and vile in nature, that's part of what makes it war!
@ Vindictive29:
I read a lot as well and due to my job I read a ton of information daily. I had one quick concern as to your assessment on the reasons of anti-US resentment. How did the US train OBL and Al Qaeda? We armed the Afghans and foreign volunteers through various accounts and most of the weapons were Soviet block or Chinese made equipment. The most widely used weapons during the "Jihad against the Soviets" was the Chinese Type 56 (AK47/AKM) copy assault rifle and the British made Lee-Enfield. The tribes received the weapons, money, explosives, and bulk training through the Pakistan military (Pakistain Intelligence aka ISI). Limited US field agents were present based on the specific request made through Pakistan President Zia that US involvement be near non-exsistence except in the form of payments. Saudi Arabia which supported Pakistan in both religious structure and monetary backing of the Zia administration matched dollar for dollar. The CIA gave the money away but Bin Laden was already rich. Bin Laden Construction is one of the top tier firms in Saudi Arabia. His family was already well known, well established, and had strong relationships with the Saudi Royal Family. It was common practice that the local state run mosque preached about joining the fight in Afghanistan and Bin Laden left with a huge bank account and key contacts within the Saudi royal family. He was not "sought" nor recruited by the CIA. I seriously wish that people would read the countless books on that time frame besides watching "Charlie Wilson's War" and say "okay now I have all that I needed to know." There is a huge amount of information that is not even covered in the book let alone in the movie. No distinction between the hardliners who received the bulk of support and the more democratic leanings of some within the Northern Alliance. Yes, you had warlords, narcotics dealers, and criminal elements within various parties who fought the Soviets as much as you had the same dealings with the Afghan government which was created by the Soviet Union.
How did the situation in the Middle East get so distraught? It wasn't due to United States involvement. We have replaced France and the United Kingdom as being the "blame everything on us" game. It was post-World War One country boundry lines which had crossed into historical tribal land areas which had been around before Christ was born. How about the differences between the Sunni and Shi'a Islamic sects? How about the constant in-fights between rival families, tribal issues, and land disputes that have been on-going since the last crusades? You really want to debate the failed United Nations "Oil for Food" program for Iraq after the end of the first Gulf War? How many African leaders were on the take with serious kickbacks from Saddam for the use of selling black market oil for profit? How many billions were made by UNSECGEN Kofi Anan's son who was given that task of running the show? After countless US and UK protest to investigate the illegal dealings each time blocked by Kofi Anan? Why? Also look at the sell of UN (US majority provided) medical assistance, medical equipment, drugs, and supplies for the Iraqi population which was looted by Saddam's sons Uday and Qusay and sold to various countries for liquid cash. UN marked vehicles were allowed to be used by Saddam and his immediate family members to move personal items and wealth across the Iraqi desert into Syria.
Let me guess, our horrorific involvement began during the removal of the Iranian government (requested by our UK allies) during Ike's administration.... yeah I watched "Why We Fight" too. You can easily blame the US for all the failures within the Middle East but you would be wrong for doing so. Are we without fault? No. We have made serious poor judgements in our support of world leaders, but Europe has had their hand in the Middle Eastern development long before the US thought about venturing into the Persian Gulf or getting mixed up with the Islamic Barbary Pirates of the African Coast back in the early 1800s. There are a number of us here on this site who read all the time. Let me know what you want to debate in this AO.
This is not an issue nor worthy a big news story. People take photos as memoirs of horrible, mind altering violent wars everywhere. Our troops posed with Jap and German troop corpses as well because it is war.. People like to look at dead enemies and be happy THIS IS NOT A STORY. Get it off. I am ok with this. I am not ok with lies that rushed us into war in Iraq, and massacres of civilians but this is NOT that sort of issue.
It is okay to kill them. Just don't have your picture taken with them or pee on them because that is disrespectful. I am totally embarassed to be considered one of these idiots because of association. These people falling all over themselves to apologize must not have a good grasp about the brutality of war or anything else for that matter. Maybe we could send a few thousand of them over there to prepare the bodies for burial and act as honor guards. Yeah, I think that is a great idea. All in favor say aye.
Apparently you are not in the Infantry. If you are, you are in the wrong kind if work if something this insignificant embarrasses you.
If it's any consolidation, I do agree with most of your comments though.
If a photog takes one, it's journalism. If a soldier takes one, it's being barbaric.
Guess what, really don't care what anyone thinks about, nor should the soldiers.
back in the day after a fire fight we count the dead then some took fingers other gold teeth and others ears we all took pictures which we would put in all the villages in the surrounding area so the vc could see what will happen to those who want to mess with us
As someone who is currently living near Ft. Bragg and whose husband is in the army all I can say is that I am in no way surprised that the 82nd would pull some crap like this.
I didn't see the pictures but ... the more pictures there are, the sooner the Afghanis know how US troops REALLY feel about them and their religion. Send more PORK!
B F D
Now wait a minute they can take pictures of our soldiers dead. Cut their heads off in front of the world. This are the people who through acid in the face of girls who try to get an education. Enough is enough we ask this soldiers to fight and die for us it is time to stop this. Those who judge them should walk a mile in their boots and we will see how you feel.
Copy that. Well said.
Out...
Creek Dog, seriously? Don't use army speak on the internet. It makes you look like a douche.
Amber, you shouldn't call people a "douche" on the internet. It make you sound like a ...............
Seriously Amber, he was responding to someone who understands the jargon.
I think name calling and borderline profanity has more implications behind it.
Even you understood what he was trying to say.
USMC.... Can't help it. Comes naturally man. Naturally Amber.
Out.... See? ;-)
I also understand the jargon. I'm a military wife as well. Actually, I know plenty of 82nd soldiers who take themselves too seriously because of it.
If you are a military wife and you have these feelings, I feel sorry for your husband! If you were my wife your ass would be out the door and all your @!$%# on the front lawn! If you are so against the military, why did you marry a military man? Kind of makes you look like a ---yeah, douche! Old Navy guy here, so I am kind of Biased in favor of the Military!
gee Amber I made it my business and duty to learn their "jargon" but then again I didn't marry a military person for their paycheck either. (see how that works?)
Who gives a flyin'ratz'azz about some religious fanatic who blew his azz to hell because of his mistaken belief that he would get laid in the afterlife because he was too much of a loser here on earth?
..I apologize, getting a root canal makes me rant...
So tell us MSNBC, why aren't you reporting on the attack on innocent school girls in Afghanistan being poisoned by the Taliban?
Aren't you a little tired of FOX news whippin your asses in the ratings for the past 10+ years?
OH YEAH! That's right I forgot. We wouldn't want that to make muslims look bad now would we? After all, the real war on women is from the Republicans since they have the sheer audacity to want women to pay for their on contraceptions.
My how evil!
Then again, since almost 100% of muslims support obama (Gee, there's a shocker), I guess now we can use the Quran to teach those evil Republicans the proper way to treat women. After all, according to you, muslims are such wonderful individuals that are just perfect in every way shape and form.
So muslims, the next time we hear about you hanging gay people, stoning women and honoring a pedophile, just remember there is no better party that will protect you better than the ones that taut the "golden scepter" of equality than the ones that claim to protect women, gays and children!
Obviously you're conservative so I'll make this simple for you: Extremists of any religion = bad. Look at the guy in Norway who killed all those innocent people. He was anti-muslim. The muslim religion itself is not particularly violent and they aren't trying to take over the US. For goodness sake, use some common sense! Remember how the US was founded on religious freedom? Believe it or not, Christianity isn't the only religion this applies to. Moving on...the big deal is the fact that these soldiers were stupid. They aren't supposed to do things like this; it hurts international relations when we treat other human beings like they are some kind of animal. "Well they do it to us!" Oh so that makes it ok? If you want to look BETTER you need to act accordingly. An eye for an eye leaves everyone blind. Do I think we should pull out? Yes but I do think despite the country's politics the people (women and children) deserve some respect. They are simply trying to live their lives. Also, OBAMA HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH MUSLIMS. There is no connection there so give it up already. He was born in the US, he's not going to turn us into a communist nation, and he's not racist. Also, as a woman, I want politics out of my uterus; it's not just about contraception. /end rant
I can only laugh...sorry...
I'll be fair and give you some time to correct the retardation level on that statement then I will respond.
I wouldn't know, I'm not a christian. I only read news and facts and realize that for every 1 christian terrorist attack there will be 250 muslim terrorist attacks. Had you study mathematics and logic instead of gay studies and global warming you would have realized that the only threat christianity poses is annoying missionaries knocking on my door at dinnertime.
Yeah, they need to model themselves into more respectable people like those that throw acid in womens faces and stone women for wanting equal rights and hang gay people....right?
AHHHHHHHH! Now they're reporting it. Interesting at this timing.
I guess thats just a mere coincidence right?
Actually I've taken several world religion classes. I even wrote an extensive research paper comparing Mohammad to Jesus. Extremists Muslims are bad, I agree. Is it wrong how they treat their women? Yes. Does that mean all Muslims should get lumped into the same category as the suicide bombers? No! I actually have a neighbor who lives below me, is Muslim and is in the Army. I see him every day. He has a wife and a daughter whom he treats with the utmost respect. The only reason you people think this is ok is because you are fueled by stereotypes and generalizations. However you feel about the people though, what the soldiers did is against their code of conduct. When you join the military you have to act a certain way and they violated this. And I think you missed the point of my comment: the US needs to conduct themselves better than these terrorists; as in not sinking to their level and doing this depraved @!$%# with dead bodies. That's what I was trying to say. And for the love of God I'm majoring in Addiction Counseling not "gay studies" but it seems like you could use a strong dose of common sense.
Amber, you are wasting your breath (or words) on ignorant fools....
I will admit, in my own study of religions, Amber is right in say that the Muslim religion throughout history has been the less violent religion. However, even taking trophy's of the dead, as has happened in every war since the dawn of war, we are still acting better than our enemies! They drag dead bodies through streets, hang them from bridges, take vid's of executions to post on the web. Hell they might as well be putting the heads of the dead on pikes! STFU and stop whining, this country wanted war and we got it. This is how war is, it will never change. There is no humane way to kill someone and that is what you all need to remember!
People have been posing with trophies forever. This isn't news, it is SOP. Who cares?