Pentagon complains of Iraqi battlefield deception
Pentagon officials have complained bitterly about what they called “deadly deceptions” by Iraqi troops pretending to surrender to US forces and then firing on the Americans.
“They are sending forces out carrying white surrender flags or dressing them as liberated civilians to draw coalition forces into ambushes,” said Victoria Clarke, spokeswoman for Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld.
“Both of these actions are among the most serious violations of the laws of war,” she said.
Major General Stanley McChrystal, vice director of operations on the Pentagon’s Joint Staff, said US forces would continue to accept Iraqi surrenders.
In two episodes Sunday near An Nasiriyah, Iraqi forces deceived Americans into believing they were surrendering or otherwise welcoming them, US officials said.
The officials said one unit indicated it was giving up but, as Marines approached, the Iraqis opened fire, killing nine Americans. US military sources said about 40 were wounded.
“Some liken these acts to terrorism,” Clarke said. ”Such acts involve the enemy wilfully violating the laws of war, while simultaneously taking advantage of the coalition forces’ compliance with that law.”
