• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!
  • Welcome to our archives. No new posts are allowed here.

Private security firms shooting civilians for fun?

H

hipsterdufus

A "trophy" video appearing to show security guards in Baghdad randomly shooting Iraqi civilians has sparked two investigations after it was posted on the internet, the Sunday Telegraph can reveal.

The video has sparked concern that private security companies, which are not subject to any form of regulation either in Britain or in Iraq, could be responsible for the deaths of hundreds of innocent Iraqis.


Lt Col Tim Spicer is investigating the incident
The video, which first appeared on a website that has been linked unofficially to Aegis Defence Services, contained four separate clips, in which security guards open fire with automatic rifles at civilian cars. All of the shooting incidents apparently took place on "route Irish", a road that links the airport to Baghdad.

The road has acquired the dubious distinction of being the most dangerous in the world because of the number of suicide attacks and ambushes carried out by insurgents against coalition troops. In one four-month period earlier this year it was the scene of 150 attacks.

In one of the videoed attacks, a Mercedes is fired on at a distance of several hundred yards before it crashes in to a civilian taxi. In the last clip, a white civilian car is raked with machine gun fire as it approaches an unidentified security company vehicle. Bullets can be seen hitting the vehicle before it comes to a slow stop.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/mai...rq27.xml&sSheet=/news/2005/11/27/ixworld.html

Video Here:
http://www.crooksandliars.com/2005/11/27.html#a6076

I know that instant decisions have to be made when there is the constant threat of car bombs. But to edit these shootings, and place them to Elvis "Mystery Train" will be used by Al Qaeda to recruit insurgents. Apparently contractors in Iraq answer to no one when these shootings occur.

Do we hope to win the hearts and minds of the Iraqis by shooting them as sport?
 
This just makes me sick.
 
Very disturbing, I can't find the words to describe my feelings about this, other then utter disgust.
 
Holy crap! Why aren't we hearing more about this?!
 
Part of the strategy that comes with using fewer soldiers than recommended is the use of privat security firms. Whether or not you feel comfortable calling them mercenaries, they are the secondlargest contingent in Iraq. Fewer than US troops, but more of them than the British.

We, the US, have been funnelling untold billions into these corporations of hired guns. Like Executive Outcomes of old, this will make for long term problems around the globe. There will be tragic and unfortunate blowback from this decision to pump so much American taxpayers' money into these groups.
 
Back
Top Bottom