http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=31748
Children forced
to take up guns?
U.S.: Youngsters seized from homes,
families told males must fight or be executed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: March 27, 2003
8:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
Iraq has sunk to a new low in unconventional warfare, with regime forces threatening children and having them take up guns on the battlefield, according to U.S. officials and a reporter embedded with coalition troops.
Coalition leaders report Iraqi paramilitary forces are going into homes and threatening whole families with death if they don't join the battle.
"Our field commanders report that in the vicinity of Najaf ... Iraqi regime forces are seizing children from their homes and telling their families that the males must fight for the regime or they will all face execution," Brig. Gen. Vincent Brooks said this morning.
At a press briefing from Central Command headquarters in Doha, Qatar, Brooks told reporters the development represents but one example of the regime's growing and "pronounced" disregard for the Geneva Convention, which governs the rules of engagement.
"Once again, we see the regime's terrorist tactics, where they bring the innocent onto the battlefield as they try to do anything to stay in power," said Central Command spokesman Jim Wilkinson.
There is evidence the families are choosing battle over execution for their boys.
WTVD-TV reporter Keith Garvin who is traveling with Marines from Camp Lejeune reports children taking part in a two-hour battle between the Marines and Iraqi troops that took place last night behind a Marine camp at An Nasiriyah.
"Unfortunately, some of the children have been firing at our Marines and our Marines have been forced to defend themselves," he said.
Hours before, civilians living behind the camp were seen setting up bunkers and military officials "said they had heard or felt that something bad was going to happen," Garvin reported.
He said some of the Iraqi fighters were using women as shields and had given guns to children.
Intelligence reports indicated 2,000 Iraqi troops advanced on the camp in a skirmish which involved the firing of missiles and artillery, and ultimately was augmented with aerial bombing.
Garvin said 25 Marines were wounded in the fight, though none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening.
Children forced
to take up guns?
U.S.: Youngsters seized from homes,
families told males must fight or be executed
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: March 27, 2003
8:00 a.m. Eastern
© 2003 WorldNetDaily.com
Iraq has sunk to a new low in unconventional warfare, with regime forces threatening children and having them take up guns on the battlefield, according to U.S. officials and a reporter embedded with coalition troops.
Coalition leaders report Iraqi paramilitary forces are going into homes and threatening whole families with death if they don't join the battle.
"Our field commanders report that in the vicinity of Najaf ... Iraqi regime forces are seizing children from their homes and telling their families that the males must fight for the regime or they will all face execution," Brig. Gen. Vincent Brooks said this morning.
At a press briefing from Central Command headquarters in Doha, Qatar, Brooks told reporters the development represents but one example of the regime's growing and "pronounced" disregard for the Geneva Convention, which governs the rules of engagement.
"Once again, we see the regime's terrorist tactics, where they bring the innocent onto the battlefield as they try to do anything to stay in power," said Central Command spokesman Jim Wilkinson.
There is evidence the families are choosing battle over execution for their boys.
WTVD-TV reporter Keith Garvin who is traveling with Marines from Camp Lejeune reports children taking part in a two-hour battle between the Marines and Iraqi troops that took place last night behind a Marine camp at An Nasiriyah.
"Unfortunately, some of the children have been firing at our Marines and our Marines have been forced to defend themselves," he said.
Hours before, civilians living behind the camp were seen setting up bunkers and military officials "said they had heard or felt that something bad was going to happen," Garvin reported.
He said some of the Iraqi fighters were using women as shields and had given guns to children.
Intelligence reports indicated 2,000 Iraqi troops advanced on the camp in a skirmish which involved the firing of missiles and artillery, and ultimately was augmented with aerial bombing.
Garvin said 25 Marines were wounded in the fight, though none of the injuries appeared to be life-threatening.