Zarqawi Beaten, 'That's Baloney'

[thedrifter]

Zarqawi Beaten, 'That's Baloney'
U.S. General Dismisses Claims That Troops Hit Qaeda In Iraq Leader

June 11, 2006

(CBS/AP) The top commander of U.S. troops in Iraq brushed back claims that slain al Qaeda in Iraq leader Abu Musab al-Zarqawi was beaten by U.S. forces after his hideout was bombed Wednesday.

"The way I respond to the comments of the alleged Iraqi who saw what went on there is: 'that's baloney,'" Gen. George Casey said.

An Iraqi man who was one of the first people on the scene of the U.S. airstrike targeting al-Zarqawi said he saw American troops beating a man who had a beard like the al Qaeda leader.

Speaking on Fox News Sunday, Casey said al-Zarqawi died while American soldiers were attempting to save his life.

The witness, who lives near the house where al-Zarqawi spent his last days, said he saw the man lying on the ground near an irrigation canal. He was badly wounded but still alive, the man told Associated Press Television News.

The Iraqi, identified only as Mohammed, said residents put a bearded man in an ambulance before U.S. forces arrived.

"When the Americans arrived they took him out of the ambulance, they beat him on his stomach and wrapped his head with his dishdasha, then they stomped on his stomach and his chest until he died and blood came out of his nose," Mohammed said, without saying how he knew the man was dead.

No other witnesses have come forward to corroborate the Iraqi man's account that al-Zarqawi was beaten. U.S. officials have only said al-Zarqawi mumbled and tried to roll off a stretcher before dying.

U.S. authorities changed their initial account of the al Qaeda in Iraq leader's death, first saying he died outright in the airstrike, then saying he survived, but died soon after.

A U.S. military spokesman on Thursday said Iraqi police were first on the scene of the airstrike in Hibhib and then U.S. troops arrived. Maj. Gen. William Caldwell said that al-Zarqawi was conscious when U.S. forces found him and that he briefly struggled to get away. The Americans tried to provide medical treatment, but al-Zarqawi died shortly after.

Lt. Col. Thomas Fisher of the 1st Battalion, 68th Armored Cavalry said his men showed up at the site about five minutes after the blast and cordoned it off. He said a patrol was in the area already.

"We didn't know it was Zarqawi, we just knew it was a time-sensitive target," he said at the scene early Saturday. "We suspected who it was."

Al Qaeda in Iraq vowed on Sunday to carry out "major attacks," insisting in a Web statement that it was still powerful after the death of al-Zarqawi.

The statement did not name a successor to al-Zarqawi, but it said the group's leadership "renews its allegiance" to Osama bin Laden.

On Sunday, two U.S. military forensic specialists finished their autopsy on al-Zarqawi's remains, part of the investigation to reconstruct the last minutes of his life, the U.S. Command said.

"The autopsy is completed. However, we are not releasing results yet," Maj. William Willhoite said.

Caldwell, the spokesman for the U.S. military in Baghdad, said Saturday the decision to fly in forensic experts was made shortly after al-Zarqawi's death.

"I think if we don't do a full autopsy then that might irresponsible on our part," Caldwell said. "I think we sort of owe that just for this reason: How did he actually die?"

He said the U.S. government thought it was important enough "that we grabbed two people in the last 48 hours and told them pack up and move to Iraq."

Ellie

[OLE SARG]

What the f#$% difference does it make, the SOB is dead, it don't make no difference how he got dead, the SOB is dead. AND f#$% our damn driveby media, they are SOBs too!!!!!!!!!!!!

SEMPER FI,

[Osotogary]

Zarqawi Beaten? Come on!
Is someone planning on sueing the 500 pound bomb?

[marinegreen]

THE NAACP might jump on it you know how they like there 15 mins of fame

[Mama]

I must say I'm really amazed that there are whiners out there that complain about a goal being accomplished! Geeze!!! Just be glad the ******* is dead and not harming anyone anymore...

[sgtofrifleman]

I wounder why Congressman Murtha hasn't put in his 2 cents into the bombing. And i want to know why Congressman Murtha is not standing up for the Marines,but is bad mouthing them, and the war in Iraq? Start supporting your " Band of Brothers'" Devil Dogg. When was the last time he pick up a M-16 and fought in a battle in Iraq? In Vietnam there was a clear enemy and in Iraq anybody can be the enemy?

Semper Fi

[aaron1965]

I wonder who interviewed "Mohammed"? Probably an Al-Jazeera reporter. We all know how impartial they are.

[OLE SARG]

sgtofrifleman,
I hate to correct you BUT there was no CLEAR enemy in Vietnam either.

SEMPER FI,

[marinegreen]

The latest skinny now is zarqwai survived 52 mins. DAMMIT ! ! that is totally unacceptable, next time drop 2 1000 lbs'ers.

[sgtofrifleman]

ole sarg--- in Vietnam the viet cong wore some type of uniform different then what cilivans wore. But in Iraq the terriorist wear the samething as the cilvians. But thanks for your input Ssgt

[BigPhil]

I can see you were not in Nam, for the cong wore the same clothing that everyone else did. The NVA wore uniforms.
Semper Fi.
Big Phil

[sgtofrifleman]

Thanks for the correction SSGT

[RLeon]

ole sarg--- in Vietnam the viet cong wore some type of uniform different then what cilivans wore. But in Iraq the terriorist wear the samething as the cilvians. But thanks for your input Ssgt

Both of you guys are right...the NVA had military uiforms, and the VC wore black clothes, but both used the aid of non uniformed combatants that blended in witht the civilian populace..men, women and even kids.

[FistFu68]

TO BE FIRST ON SCENE, BE ABLE TO PUT MAGGOT ON EXPESS TO HELL,WITH THE HELP OF YOU FINISHING HIM OFF,THAT WOULD BE AN HONOR !

[Stanley Hroszow]

What probably happened our guys were giving CPR. and the Iraqis were confused as to what was happening. He went to hell any way, Justice Served. no Bombs to put in dang it all.