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US criticised for use of phosphorous in Fallujah raids
By Andrew Buncombe in Washington
11/09/05 "The
Independent" -- -- A leading campaign group has
demanded an urgent inquiry into a report that US troops
indiscriminately used a controversial incendiary weapon during the
battle for Fallujah. Photographic evidence gathered from the
aftermath of the battle suggests that women and children were killed
by horrific burns caused by the white phosphorus shells dropped by
US forces.
The Pentagon has always admitted it used phosphorus during last
year's assault on the city, which US commanders said was an
insurgent stronghold. But they claimed they used the brightly
burning shells "very sparingly" and only to illuminate combat areas.
But the documentary
Fallujah: the Hidden Massacre, broadcast
yesterday by the Italian state broadcaster, RAI, suggested the
shells were commonly used and killed an unspecified number of
civilians. Photographs obtained by RAI from the Studies Centre of
Human Rights in Fallujah, show the bodies of dozens of Fallujah
residents whose skin has been dissolved or caramelised by the
effects of the phosphorus shells. The use of incendiary weapons
against civilian targets is banned by treaty.
Last night Robert Musil, director of the group Physicians for Social
Responsibility, called for an investigation. He told The
Independent: "When there is clear testimony that use of such weapons
has done this, it demands a full investigation. From Vietnam onwards
there has been a general condemnation of [the use of white
phosphorus] and concern about the injuries and consequences."
The 1980 UN Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons bans the use
of weapons such as napalm and white phosphorus against civilian -
but not military - targets. The US did not sign the treaty and has
continued to use white phosphorus and an updated version of napalm,
called Mark 77 firebombs, which use kerosene rather than petrol. A
senior US commander previously has confirmed that 510lb napalm bombs
had been used in Iraq and said that "the generals love napalm. It
has a big psychological effect."
John Pike, director of the Washington-based military studies group
GlobalSecurity.Org, said the smoke caused by the bombs could confuse
or blind the enemy or mark a target. "If it hits your clothes it
will burn your clothes and if it hits your skin it will just keep on
burning," he said.
Experts said that, if not removed, white phosphorus - known as Willy
Pete - can burn to the bone. The fumes from phosphorus cause severe
eye irritation.
Copyright The Independent.
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