Iraqi civilians — nothing but target practice…(updated)
by Will, 23 September 2007
WARNING: extremely graphic video below…you have been warned.
I’ve thought long and hard about whether or not to post the following video clip. In a sense it could be considered to be a snuff film. That is what makes me uncomfortable — to say the least — about posting it here.
However, I’ve come to the conclusion that it isn’t ‘entertainment value’ that those who view it here will gain (so not a snuff movie). Nor is it a form of ‘political oneupmanship’ aimed against domestic opponents that compels the dissemination of such filth. What the following does do is eliminate any idea of fascists, being in any way shape or form, as being ‘freedom fighters’, (or rather it should). The clip shows pure fascism at work, stripped of all it’s pretenses.
Update: Thanks to Sphinx in comments for further information and clarification:
“The logo of the video reads “the Islamic State of Iraq” in Arabic.
From reading the title and the logo, it seems it’s al-Qaeda terrorists or their allies killing people. Most of those killed by these terrorists are innocent civilians whom they kill, either because according to their sect, or according to their connection to any government institution which they consider illegitimate.”
In addition see here
“I posted this video to say that al-Qaeda is strongly active and keep reminding people that Iraqis are suffering and that it’s worse than what they see on TV.”
Monday 24 September 2007 at 0:11
Who, where, when?
Monday 24 September 2007 at 0:15
Dunno.
Seems genuine to me.
Any reason to doubt it’s authenticity?
Monday 24 September 2007 at 0:29
There is really almost no hint as to who I see and where. It’s horrible - that’s why I’d would appreciate a little more information than “Terrorists in Iraq assassinate Iraqi civilians” as it says next to the clip.
Which group did that? Where was it broadcasted first?
Monday 24 September 2007 at 1:06
Will - I don’t doubt the authenticity of the video, and I’m not questioning your posting of it here.
The first viewing left me in shock. I’ve since looked at the clip again, and it’s clear that live rounds were fired at the prostrate figures. But I still want to know who was killed, who did the killing, and who posted the video on Google.
Monday 24 September 2007 at 3:18
That was horrible and it made me feel really uncomfortable. But really, this blog isn’t Lenin’s Tomb or a blog of that type and I don’t see, either in the posts or in the comments, much if any talk praising the so-called resistance and so I question why it was necessary to post it.
Monday 24 September 2007 at 4:15
This is where the video originated.
http://baghdadtreasure.blogspot.com/2007/08/ugly-reality.html
Monday 24 September 2007 at 4:18
Oh and for clarification, from Treasure of Baghdad:
“I posted this video to say that al-Qaeda is strongly active and keep reminding people that Iraqis are suffering and that it’s worse than what they see on TV.”
Monday 24 September 2007 at 4:20
More:
“The logo of the video reads “the Islamic State of Iraq” in Arabic.
From reading the title and the logo, it seems it’s al-Qaeda terrorists or their allies killing people. Most of those killed by these terrorists are innocent civilians whom they kill either because according to their sect or according to their connection to any government institution which they consider illegitimate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Islamic_State_of_Iraq“
Monday 24 September 2007 at 4:22
This blog used to be a good read, but recently it’s become a repository for foul-mouthed rants. The vid is vomit-inducing, all the worse for no verification being provided of either its origin or the victims. If you’ve got the moral high ground why then vacate it?
Monday 24 September 2007 at 9:20
Just to say that the Georges above is not me. I don’t know who it is. It may be genuine or mischief. I am sure you can check this one way or another.
Monday 24 September 2007 at 10:15
I disagree Georges - ‘Foul mouthed rants? After watching that clip surely, “These poor Iraqis - ragged people, with their sandals, with their Kalashnikovs, with the lightest and most basic of weapons - are writing the names of their cities and towns in the stars, with 145 military operations every day, which has made the country ungovernable” (George Galloway), is the real foul mouthed rant - far worse than the odd burst of morally indignant rough language.
The clip is vomit inducing and was posted with a clear and explicit warning, it is vile but is obviously real and a better attribution has emerged through comments. Sometimes, with all the bullshit about patience, the calls for the immediate withdrawal of troops,the romanticisation of resistance or the legal abstractions, we need reminding that fascism is vomit inducing, and delivers a sadistic and cruel death to the entirely innocent.
The moral high ground has hardly been abandoned by this post, instead it reminds us of the depths of depravity which has to be resisted.
Monday 24 September 2007 at 10:26
In the cold, sober light of day, coming back to this post makes me feel very uncomfortable. And I cannot help thinking of the reaction (including my own) to the very public execution of Saddam Hussein.
I’m still not saying that it was wrong to post the video here, but I have to wonder at the value of doing so. Anyone with a shred of intelligence and imagination knows the depths to which human beings can sink, and it’s not necessary to experience evil first hand in order to understand it.
Shock value (e.g., Gadgie’s comment above)? Possibly.
If we’re going to show such graphic violence on this site, I think it needs to be part of a discussion of specific incidents. sphinx links to the Wikipedia page on the so-called “Islamic State of Iraq”. This is helpful. If the on-camera slaughter was carried out by the ISI, perhaps we should be discussing this terrorist group and where it currently stands in Iraq.
Monday 24 September 2007 at 12:10
I don’t see how anyone can find this video “shocking”. We all know that this sort of thing goes on, wherever paramilitary groups hold sway (remember this?: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Showband_killings )
Personally, I find the tazering of Andrew Meyer more ominous.
Monday 24 September 2007 at 14:09
“Personally, I find the tazering of Andrew Meyer more ominous.”
You fucking hopeless cock.
Monday 24 September 2007 at 15:00
Personally, I find the tazering of Andrew Meyer more ominous.
Is this an attempt at a joke on “shocking”?
You have the sense of perspective of M. C. Escher on crack.
Monday 24 September 2007 at 16:11
Shocking. Disgusting. Horrific.
Yes these things ‘go on’ but that kind of film is never easy to watch.
Really can’t see the point of publishing it here without a direct link to a current news story or event. If you want war porn there’s plenty on American blogs and messageboards.
Monday 24 September 2007 at 16:39
The point is not only is it horrific, but that Jaysh Al Queda uses video of mass executions like this one in its propaganda videos. This is a bit more than ‘war porn’ because it is employed by one side in a civil war to agitate for ethnic cleansing. Am I wrong that this is somewhat unprecedented? What other global conflicts have featured armed groups filming their atrocities and then distributing them AS propaganda? No, more likely the task is to obfuscate the actual killing and create a ‘patriotic’ front. This video testifies to the real difference of the Al Queda presence in Iraq and of course I support its being posted here for exactly that reason.
Monday 24 September 2007 at 16:51
‘You have the sense of perspective of M. C. Escher on crack.’
And I don’t even paint! (not homeless, neither)
Monday 24 September 2007 at 20:43
For a moment I thought Will had finally finished off the Harry’s place crew…
Monday 24 September 2007 at 21:19
This is not a laughing matter - comments are closed.