Haditha Killings: Marine Corps Expected to File Murder Charges Against Marines Involved in Sweeps That Resulted in Deaths of 20+ Iraqi Civilians

Strategic Insights -

Investigations into the Haditha killings are nearing their conclusion, with sources close to the probe expecting the Marine Corps to file murder charges against one or more Marines involved in the November raids that resulted in the deaths of over 20 Iraqi civilians. The raids were conducted by members of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, in response to an improvised explosive device (IED) attack that killed one of their members. The Marines' operating procedures call for an immediate search for the source of an IED attack, which in this case led to sweeps of homes in Haditha, a hotbed of Sunni insurgents and foreign terrorists.

The investigation, led by the Naval Criminal Investigative Services (NCIS), has been ongoing for several months, with agents interviewing members of the 3rd Battalion at Camp Pendleton, California. Attorneys for the Marines have been mobilizing for the possible defense of a dozen Marines, including those who have hired civilian criminal defense lawyers and others who have made overtures to private lawyers.

The commander of the 1st Marine Division has already relieved the 3rd Battalion's commander and two of his company commanders, citing a lack of confidence in their leadership. However, it is unclear whether these officers played a direct role in the raids. The Marine Corps is awaiting the NCIS's final investigative report before making any decisions about filing charges.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Marine Corps is expected to file murder charges against one or more Marines involved in the Haditha killings, which resulted in the deaths of over 20 Iraqi civilians.
  • The raids were conducted in response to an IED attack that killed one of the Marines' members, and were part of the Marines' operating procedures.
  • The investigation has been ongoing since November, with agents from the NCIS interviewing members of the 3rd Battalion at Camp Pendleton, California.
  • Attorneys for the Marines have been mobilizing for the possible defense of a dozen Marines, including those who have hired civilian criminal defense lawyers and others who have made overtures to private lawyers.
  • The commander of the 1st Marine Division has relieved the 3rd Battalion's commander and two of his company commanders, citing a lack of confidence in their leadership.
  • The Marine Corps is awaiting the NCIS's final investigative report before making any decisions about filing charges.
  • A private lawyer has been approached by one of the Marines who led troops in the raids.
  • Two 3rd Battalion Marines have already hired civilian criminal defense lawyers in anticipation of being charged.

Statistics:

  • Over 20 Iraqi civilians were killed in the Haditha raids.
  • 15 Iraqi civilians were initially reported to have been killed by an IED blast, according to the Marine Corps' initial statement.
  • Time magazine found that the civilians were not killed by a bomb, but by Marines' gunfire.
  • The investigation has been ongoing since November.
  • The NCIS has been interviewing members of the 3rd Battalion at Camp Pendleton, California.
  • A dozen Marines are expected to be charged in connection with the Haditha killings.

Sources:

  • THE WASHINGTON TIMES
  • THE WASHINGTON TIMES, November 20, 2005
  • Time magazine
  • Lt. Gen. John F. Sattler, commander of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force at Pendleton
  • Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, top operational commander in Iraq