Afghan fury over video of urinating US soldiers
Source: Agencies |
January 13, 2012, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
A VIDEO showing what appears to be American forces urinating on dead Taliban fighters has prompted anger in Afghanistan and promises of a US investigation.
The video, posted on YouTube and other websites, shows four men in Marine combat uniforms urinating on three corpses. One jokes: "Have a nice day, buddy." Another makes a lewd joke.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai yesterday condemned the video, describing the actions as "inhuman."
It is likely to stir up already strong anti-US sentiment in Afghanistan and could complicate reconciliation efforts as foreign troops gradually withdraw.
The US embassy in Kabul also condemned the actions of the men.
In Washington, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta denounced the actions as "utterly deplorable."
"Those found to have engaged in such conduct will be held accountable to the fullest extent," he said.
Panetta said he had ordered the Marine Corps and the commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan to investigate.
Anti-American feeling has boiled over several times in Afghanistan and protests over reports of the desecration of the Muslim holy book have twice sparked deadly riots. The tape sparked anger across the Middle East, prompting reference to scandals involving the treatment of prisoners in Iraq and the killing of civilians in Afghanistan.
The video, posted on YouTube and other websites, shows four men in Marine combat uniforms urinating on three corpses. One jokes: "Have a nice day, buddy." Another makes a lewd joke.
Afghan President Hamid Karzai yesterday condemned the video, describing the actions as "inhuman."
It is likely to stir up already strong anti-US sentiment in Afghanistan and could complicate reconciliation efforts as foreign troops gradually withdraw.
The US embassy in Kabul also condemned the actions of the men.
In Washington, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta denounced the actions as "utterly deplorable."
"Those found to have engaged in such conduct will be held accountable to the fullest extent," he said.
Panetta said he had ordered the Marine Corps and the commander of the NATO-led International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan to investigate.
Anti-American feeling has boiled over several times in Afghanistan and protests over reports of the desecration of the Muslim holy book have twice sparked deadly riots. The tape sparked anger across the Middle East, prompting reference to scandals involving the treatment of prisoners in Iraq and the killing of civilians in Afghanistan.
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
