Collateral Murder

Engagement

All times are presented in Zulu time (UTC), which is used by the military and can be seen on the top left corner of the video. Baghdad local time at the time of the incident was UTC+4. Military documents state that events start at 09:50, which is approximately 28 minutes before the video starts.

About Collateral Murder

“Collateral Murder” is the title given by WikiLeaks to a classified U.S. military video they released on April 5, 2010. The video, recorded from the gunsight of an Apache helicopter, shows an incident that occurred on July 12, 2007, in the New Baghdad area of Baghdad, Iraq. It captures U.S. military personnel attacking a group of individuals on the ground, resulting in the deaths of over a dozen people, including two Reuters journalists, Namir Noor-Eldeen and Saeed Chmagh.

WikiLeaks released this video to raise awareness of what they saw as the indiscriminate killing of civilians by U.S. forces. The footage also includes radio transmissions and shows the military personnel opening fire on a van that attempted to rescue the wounded. The van contained two children who were seriously injured.

The video sparked widespread debate and criticism, particularly over the rules of engagement and the classification of the attack as justified by the military investigation. The controversy highlighted concerns about the conduct of U.S. forces during the Iraq War and the treatment of journalists in conflict zones.

Summary of the WikiLeaks Video Controversy

On April 5, 2010, WikiLeaks published a classified U.S. military video that showed an Apache helicopter gunship indiscriminately killing over a dozen people in New Baghdad, an Iraqi suburb. Among the victims were two Reuters journalists. Reuters had sought this footage via the Freedom of Information Act since the incident occurred but was unsuccessful. The video depicts the unprovoked killing of a wounded Reuters journalist and his rescuers, as well as the serious wounding of two children involved in the rescue.

After Reuters demanded information, the U.S. military investigated and concluded that the soldiers’ actions complied with the law of armed conflict and their “Rules of Engagement.” WikiLeaks released the military’s Rules of Engagement from 2006, 2007, and 2008, revealing guidelines before, during, and after the killings.

The video, available in both a 38-minute full version and a shorter edited version with initial analysis, contains added subtitles from radio transmissions to clarify the context. It was leaked to WikiLeaks by military whistleblowers, and the organization verified its authenticity through cross-checking multiple sources and consulting witnesses and journalists directly involved.

On July 6, 2010, Private Bradley Manning, a 22-year-old U.S. Army intelligence analyst stationed in Baghdad, was charged with disclosing the footage after allegedly speaking to a journalist. Daniel Ellsberg, famous for releasing the Pentagon Papers, called Manning a “hero.” Manning was imprisoned in Kuwait, while none of the Apache crew or those involved in the cover-up faced charges.

WikiLeaks aims to ensure that all leaked information receives the attention it deserves. The video serves as a reminder that journalists often risk their lives to report on conflicts, especially in dangerous areas like Iraq, where 139 journalists were killed between 2003 and 2009.

For those seeking further information on “Collateral Murder,” additional resources include the official WikiLeaks page, which offers both the full and edited versions of the video along with detailed analysis and background information. Academic studies, journalistic articles, and documentary films delve into the implications of the video on the ethics of warfare, military transparency, and the treatment of journalists in conflict zones. Investigative reports from organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch provide in-depth analysis of the attack, shedding light on the challenges facing journalists and civilians in war zones. Interviews with military experts, whistleblowers, and journalists offer varying perspectives on the incident and its aftermath. Additionally, books and articles detailing the legal proceedings of Bradley (now Chelsea) Manning, who was charged with leaking the footage, provide insight into the broader context of whistleblowing and government accountability.

News articles and blogs from 2007 onwards

• Reuters seeks U.S. probe into killing of Iraqi staff
• 2 Iraqi Journalists Killed as U.S. Forces Clash With Militias
• Iraq War Grief Daily Witness; some photos of Namirs
• The New York Times: 2 Iraqi Journalists Killed as U.S. Forces Clash With Militias
• Facts about Chelsea Mannings (fka. Bradley Mannings)
• Facts about Wikileaks
• 23 Facts about Collateral Murder
• Thoughts on the Middle East, Politics & the Media: A Tribute to Namir Noor Eldeen
• U.S. Soldier on 2007 Apache Attack: What I Saw
• US Rules of Engagement for Iraq, August 2007
• US Rules of Engagement for Iraq, March 2007
• US Rules of Engagement for Iraq, Flowchart 2007
• US Rules of Engagement for Iraq, Refcard 2007
• US Rules of Engagement for Iraq, Refcard 2006