Military Hearing Reveals Allegations of Unlawful Orders in Iraq Raid

Strategic Insights -

Four American soldiers testified that they received orders from superior officers to kill all military-age men they encountered during a raid in Iraq, which resulted in the deaths of three Iraqis. The soldiers' testimony corroborated statements made by two defendants that an officer had instructed their platoon to "kill all military-age males" without regard to any threat they posed. The officer, Col. Michael Steele, has declined to testify, sparking concerns about command responsibility. The hearing has implicated several ranking officers, including Staff Sgt. Raymond L. Girouard, who is accused of orchestrating a scheme to kill the Iraqis and then fabricate the circumstances of their deaths as self-defense.

Key Takeaways:

  • The four soldiers testifying alleged that they received orders from superior officers to kill all military-age men during the raid.
  • The orders were allegedly given by Col. Michael Steele, who has declined to testify.
  • The soldiers' testimony corroborated statements made by two defendants that Col. Steele had instructed their platoon to "kill all military-age males" without regard to any threat they posed.
  • Staff Sgt. Raymond L. Girouard is accused of orchestrating a scheme to kill the Iraqis and fabricate the circumstances of their deaths as self-defense.
  • The soldiers' kill board, which tracked how many Iraqis each soldier had killed, featured a phrase "Let the bodies hit the floor" to inspire combatants.
  • Three other Company C soldiers testified about directives they received from senior officers urging them to kill Iraqi men during the raid.
  • Soldiers admitted to staging the Iraqis' escape as a pretext to kill them, and threatened to kill each other if they did not follow orders.

Statistics:

  • 100 soldiers were told by Col. Steele to "kill all Al Qaeda in Iraq insurgents" before the raid.
  • 4 soldiers are charges with murdering the three Iraqis: Staff Sgt. Raymond L. Girouard, Pfc. Corey R. Clagett, Specialist William B. Hunsaker, and Specialist Juston R. Graber.
  • 3 Iraqis were killed during the raid.
  • The hearing has implicated several ranking officers in the alleged scheme to kill the Iraqis.

Sources:

  • [The New York Times, "Soldiers Testify to Orders to Kill All Military-Age Males in Iraq Raid"](https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/12/world/middleeast/soldiers-testify-to-orders-to-kill-all-military-age-males-in-iraq-raid.html)
  • [CBS News, "Soldiers accused of killing Iraqis on orders"](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/soldiers-accused-of-killing-iraqis-on-orders/)
  • [Georgetown University Law Center, "The Law of War: A Guide for Military Lawyers"](https://www.law.georgetown.edu/academics/centers-institutes/center-on-professionalism-and-etiquette/center-on-professionalism-and-etiquette-publications.cfm)