It’s also no secret that US troops are being bolstered by private contractors who are hired by the U.S. to provide security detail. Corporations such as Inveco International, Halliburton, Blackwater, and Triple Canopy have been recruiting retired military personnel (some former paramilitaries from Latin American countries) – folks just itching to get back into the action.
Nothing illustrates this better than a recent incident in which a “trophy video” was posted on the internet. The video shows alleged private security contractors shooting at Iraqi citizens. The video first appeared on www.aegisIraq.co.uk – a site run by “the men on the ground who are the heart and soul of the company.” Aegis, run by former Scots Guard officer Lt. Col. Tim Spicer (back in 1998, his private military company Sandlines International was accused of violating UN sanctions by selling arms to Sierra Leone) is a private contracting company hired by the US to provide security detail in Iraq. Aegis is taking refuge in the defense that www.AegisIraq.co.uk is not the official company site. Spicer recently posted a message of warning on the site: “Please think twice about posting your happy snaps and whilst I am not concerned about this site as yet, if it develops into something other than a light hearted pressure valve I will take a much greater interest.” Interesting version of light-hearted. True, the site showcases “the SheTeam” – scantily clad female bodybuilders. But, this is also alongside of much more sobering material such as videos of manned checkpoints exploding.
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Aegis claims that it is looking into the incident, but the British Foreign Office has passed the buck on to the U.S., rightfully pointing out that it is “a matter for the American authorities because Aegis is under contract to the United States.” Yet, aside from the Christian Science Monitor and CorpWatch, the story hasn’t seemed to find an outlet here in the U.S.**
This is all disturbingly familiar. When the Abu Ghraib scandal was exposed, it was because a soldier from the inside, disgusted by behavior that went counter to the code of conduct he was taught in training, came forward with evidence. The evidence was then passed on to the Army Criminal Investigative Command (CID). But there are no such enforceable regulations with private contractors.** Indeed, back in February, four contract workers (all retired U.S. military veterans) left the company they were working for (Custer Battles) because they claimed they had witnessed coworkers firing on innocent civilians.** The four came forward to NBC in an interview to explain what they had observed because, presumably, they didn’t feel their claims were being taken seriously. When contacted, the Army CID claimed that they had passed the case on to the FBI. And there hasn’t been a word about it since.
Video Showing Occupation contractors Shooting Iraqi civillians like some kind of sick Video game!
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So what have the arrogant terrorist occupiers have to say now, don’t give us the same old tired lines oh its a few bad apples we heard that day in day out especilly when they get found out in places like Abu Gharib! what else should we expect from these occupiers they are like bunch of wild animals**
Re: U.S. Contractors on the Rampage in Iraq! Killing Iraqi Civillians shown on Video!
The last clip in the video is truly shocking. It clearly shows this is no game... a non-threatening car was clearly shot at with a fully automatic rifle. You can clearly see the bullets striking where the passenger and front driver are.
And of course, all this violence is paid for by the American taxpayer since Aegis is under paid by the USA. I hope all you guppies in the USA are happy with what YOU financed.
One unexpected bonus to moving to Canada from the UK is that I'm no longer paying taxes to pay for occupying Iraq :)
Re: U.S. Contractors on the Rampage in Iraq! Killing Iraqi Civillians shown on Video!
Part of the job,
Video clearly shows that only cars/vehicles that were coming close/fast to the package were fired at. they had a choice of either get hit by a car full of explosives or scare em away by firing at them,
Re: U.S. Contractors on the Rampage in Iraq! Killing Iraqi Civillians shown on Video!
Don’t be an idiot, this is the mentality of cowards and animals who think nothing of killing families travelling in cars be they women or children they don’t care!
Re: U.S. Contractors on the Rampage in Iraq! Killing Iraqi Civillians shown on Video!
Thanks for the name calling.
i guess if they were zarqawi’s religious brothers, and blew themselves up in a market where there were women and children that would be ok with you, you know cause that is the right thing to do.
Re: U.S. Contractors on the Rampage in Iraq! Killing Iraqi Civillians shown on Video!
Hilarious! Just hilarious jasoos, you're defending the video but citing another totally irrelevant issue. Defend the video. Are you telling us a foreign occupier can tell Iraqis not to get too close to their cars? Mind you, these contractors are not soldiers, nor are they Iraqis. Never are they guiding any convoy, never are they protecting anyone. They are foreign citizens in Iraq shooting Iraqis.
The cars all stopped, pulled over, slowed down or slammed into a parked car because the driver was killed.
The next time someone gets too close to you in their house, would you shoot them?
Are they getting too close to the contractors? Or are the contractors getting too close to them?
Re: U.S. Contractors on the Rampage in Iraq! Killing Iraqi Civillians shown on Video!
Dear Sir,
the term contractor is used for private security. these are the same guys who get hit on daily basis by Iraqi’s, the same guys who provide security for Iraqi Govt. officials.
And yes they are not soldiers not iraqi’s but they are there to do there job, which they get paid for, and if you were in there situation you would do the same (try to protect yourself).
Re: U.S. Contractors on the Rampage in Iraq! Killing Iraqi Civillians shown on Video!
That is a general statement which is fine. But the specific point here is this is an example of these mercenaries firing at will at civilians who were not a threat to them.
In addition the fact they filmed it makes it seem like this was a deliberate case of filming a ‘trophy video’.
