U.S. troops in snipers' line of fire

[JackORoses]

Almost 2,800 Americans have been killed so far in Iraq and one of the most dangerous insurgent opponents is the sniper. CNN has obtained graphic video from the Islamic Army of Iraq, one of the most active insurgent organizations in Iraq, showing its sniper teams targeting U.S. troops. The Islamist Army says it wants talks with the United States and some Islamist Internet postings call for a P.R. campaign aimed at influencing the American public. The video is disturbing to watch but CNN believes the story, shocking as it is, is one that needs to be told.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/10/19/iraq.sniper.video/index.html
*



This is Propaganda of the most powerful kind.
It shows the Truth.
It shows the Adversary as they are. Human beings with goals and means to achieve them.
It shows Iraq for the Turkeyshoot it is. Our guys don't have a chance before they're shot and the enemy disappears into the crowd.
It shows the insurgents to be highly capable, and most importantly that they're Iraqis. "Their concerns are local" as the rep said.

The American People can understand this.

How did this ever make it on CNN?

[krispos42]

1. It's how the Afghans beat the Soviets

High-powered bolt-action rifles, mostly leftover Lee-Enfields, Mausers, and Mosin-Nagants, fired at longer ranges than the effective range of the Soviet AK-47 and AK-74 rifles.

Of course the Afghans suffered horrible losses, over a million civilians and Mujahideen killed compared to about 15,000 Soviet troops, but the fact that they were able to cause that many casualties with weapons more appropriate to trench warfare in France 70 years ago says something about their marksmanship.

[CoffeeCat]

2. I saw this story on CNN...

...and it was quite powerful and disturbing.

The segment aired on Anderson Cooper 360. I was very surprised that it made it onto CNN.

For those who didn't see the story, the video was very shocking. The footage was from the
point of view of the sniper--who selected American soldiers to shoot. You watched them
scan crowds, decide on a target and shoot. You could hear the sniper talking and see the
soldier get shot.

The snipers sit in cars and are virtually undetectable. They shoot and disappear into
heavy traffic. By the time our guys react to what happens, all they see is
moving traffic.

Obviously, BushCo didn't want this shown. The military refused to comment on the snipers
or estimate how many of our soldiers have been killed by sniper fire. I'm no military expert, but
this footage demonstrates that this method of killing is effective. I was surprised at how
easy it was to do this and how effortless it was for the sniper to remain undedected. It was mentioned that snipers remove parts of their car to make the shooting easier.

This is a living nightmare. It appears that this method of killing is a new tactic that has
increased--because it is so efficient at killing our soldiers. Again, I'm no military expert,
but it appears that sniping is becoming more popular, and this probably accounts for the
increased numbers of dead American troops.

Can you imagine, a group of gunmen, driving around New York City and shooting people from a small
hole in the panel of their car? They would be virtually undetectable and lethal. There's almost
no way to defend against this. It's really scary that this is happening. Our military wouldn't even discuss this, nor let us know how many of our soldiers died this way.

It looks like the Iraqis have discovered a new way to kill more of our soldiers. This is just
madness. We're sending our soldiers to "liberate" people who view us as ducks in a pond. It's
revolting.

[pokercat999]

8. This actually happened in the DC area just 2 years ago.

The snipers cut a hole in their car and were shooting people willy-nilly. The police caught them by accident when they stayed too long (sleeping) at an interstate rest area. I remember the police were looking for a white van or box truck.....the snipers were found in a green sedan! The cops had no clue and the snipers would have gotten away forever if they weren't basically homeless (I guess). I haven't followed the story but I remember the local population was really nervous as the shootings took place in full view of everyone and in public places like strip malls and gas stations. The victims were mostly adults, one child and from different walks of life and different races. I never heard what the motivation of the killers was if any.

[architect359]

12. I remember that. I lived in DC at that time.

Until the time the police caught them, we were very nervous indeed. I actually thought about walking in a zig zag random pattern or at different speeds. I did wonder "Will I get some warning? Hopefully they're not that good? Will they miss the first time?" On my way to and from work, I had to cross the apartment complex's parking area to get to the Metro station. It was open ground for about 3 or 4 minutes. Because they kept talking about the white van, I was paying more attention to those vehicles. Turned out, of course, that was wrong. The snipers had cut a hole in the back of their car and turned the trunk into a place where one of them could lay down and take aim. Can't remember if they mentioned that the rear seats were modified to be removed or not. In any case, yeah - they parked their car or whatever, chose their targets, shot them and drove away w/o anyone being the wiser apparently. Them being caught at the rest stop was just pure luck at that point.

[Kagemusha]

11. Um yeah, I thought the DC sniper pair used something similar

I can imagine it. The only reason it's not being done now is because there's not US soldiers on the streets so that level of effort isn't *required*. (Edit: For gang drive-by's and so on. Obviously, the desire to commit terror, and lacking a support structure like organized crime, created a market for a different strategy in the DC sniper case.)

The fact is, Iraqis had millions of men with military training from during Saddam, but no real history or tradition of snipers. Therefore, this capability is new and was learned from hard-earned experience that other methods can be fought with heartless air and artillery attack. While civilians died during this, damaging the US' image, the insurgents still lost too many people, so, just like the flow of water, they sought the path of least resistance.

Well, this is it.

[onehandle]

3. As Bob Woodward goes, the media whores go.

It's now "safe" to report actual news.

[TheLastMohican]

4. They shoot the illegal occupiers of their lands

who are legitimate targets. I would do the same if the occupying Iraqi army was here.

The question should be asked to the higher ups, what are we doing there, making our soldiers a target practice for the "best Iraqi sniper" award?

[wellst0nev0ter]

5. I Can't Get The Video To Work

anyone else have this problem?

[leftchick]

9. I don't see any video at the link

:shrug:

[saigon68]

21. The link is on Ogrish .com

[eablair3]

10. same problem -- video not working

I can't get the video to play either. It wouldn't be a big surprise if someone got the mandate at CNN to pull this video.

Can anyone who actually played this video previously try it again to see if something's been changed?

[LynnTheDem]

6. What would Americans do if America were invaded & occupied?

Would we quietly sit by?

Or would we be labelled "terrorists" and "insurgents" by the occupiers?

How come most of us on DU get it, but rightwingnuts just can't understand the fact that if someone did to us what bush did, is doing, to Iraq, we'd react exactly as the Iraqis did and are?

It ain't rocket science.

[Kagemusha]

13. I'm sure the British said very nasty things during the War of Independence

Somehow, US rebels just didn't care very much...

[pinniped]

32. Red Dawn is one of their favorite movies and those knuckleheads....

still don't get it.

Wolverines!

[leftchick]

7. I watched the video on the BBC

and then on CNN. CNN blurred out the actual shots hitting the soldiers. It was still very powerful. Especially when a soldier interviewed asked "what are we doing here?"

[Sterling]

14. This site is on topic check it out.

http://iraq-kill-maim.org/sk/sniper-kills.htm

[saigon68]

15. Video shows snipers' chilling work in Iraq (from CNN)

Video shows snipers' chilling work in Iraq

POSTED: 5:37 a.m. EDT, October 19, 2006

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/10/19/iraq.sniper.video/index.html?section=cnn_latest

(CNN) -- Chilling scenes from a videotape made by insurgents show the work of snipers in Iraq, targeting and killing American troops, taking them down with a single bullet from a high-powered rifle.

The graphic video of 10 sniper attacks was obtained by CNN -- through intermediaries -- from the Islamic Army of Iraq, one of the most active insurgent organizations in Iraq.

In one scene, U.S. soldiers mingle among Iraqi civilians on a city street as a U.S. Humvee with a gunner in its turret stands guard nearby. From a distance, possibly hundreds of yards away, a sniper watches for his opportunity to strike as a fellow insurgent operates a camera to capture the video for propaganda purposes.

In the video, street sounds mix with male Arabic voices as the sniper and his spotter talk off-camera.
"People are around them," warns the spotter, who seems to be operating the video camera. "Want me to find another place?" "No, no," comes the reply, "give me a moment." And then, the crack of gunfire is heard and the soldier in the turret slumps forward.


YOU HAVE TO GO THERE TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS

[jayfish]

16. I Wonder If CNN Ever Described Gun-Camera Footage As "Chilling"-NT-

Jay

[fishnfla]

17. I refuse to watch these videos on principle

Out of respect for the troops and their families for one thing.

Because they are used to recruit and train jihadists for another

[saigon68]

20. They need to show them to respective recruits

in the good old USA

[fishnfla]

22. Why?

To get their bloodlust up?

I'm sorry I am opposed to the broadcast of these videos for other reasons too. You were in the military: what is the definition of giving aid and comfort to the enemy?

And just what is CNN's mission here: to inform or to boost ratings? They need to sell tires and razor blades, after all. Next we'll see them showing these killings to the troopers' Moms with that soul-searching question: how do you feel seeing your son massacred like that? Gotta get that shampoo and laundry detergent demographic too.....

[saigon68]

25. Maybe if we weren't in Iraq-Nam we wouldn't have this

"UNPLEASANTNESS"

[gratuitous]

18. Should go on the shelf right next to the shock and awe footage

Remember how many people were gathered around their teevees in March 2003, excited to see the mighty American wehrmacht cross the border into Iraq and light up the night skies with so much ordnance? I wonder if the same folks who watched that so avidly will watch the sniper footage with the same pride? It's all cut from the same cloth.

[theguvnorgc]

19. That was awful to watch then....

...and this is no different. It is shocking, and it is awful.
We somehow manage to continue to think of ourselves as
'evolved human beings' and yet, this is the way we ultimately
settle issues and disputes....  I think though, that "out
of respect for the troops" everybody should have to watch
these videos....have the respect that it requires  to try to
understand exactly what it is our Nation is asking these kids
to go and do, and why. And then, when you have some
understanding of it...try to do something about it.

[glitch]

23. Thank you, very well said. Welcome to DU. nt

[Casablanca]

26. Right on.

When you invade another country, this is what happens. Cause and effect.

An populace enlightened about the true, unpropagandized realities of war is never an aid and comfort to the enemy. But it is a nuisance to the warmongers, which is the real reason that people criticize this type of thing being shown.

[madrchsod]

24. this video or one like it was released in iraq

last year. i remember reading about this on several iraqi blogggers sites. it was released on cd over there and was selling on the streets and it was about a "legendary" iraq sniper and showed his kills...looks like cnn got the the "directors cut"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,12271,1542824,00.html

[populistdriven]

27. links to the Iraqi sniper "Juba" video that haven't been taken down yet

but don't watch it - it shows headshots of us soldiers

one more time: don't watch this, unless you are a US sniper - then it pays to know your enemy

http://www.teorijazavere.info/upload/video/juba.wmv
http://www.hemenpaylas.com/download/232574/JUBA-sniper.wmv.html

german documentary about same
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WF_ngQr9nNE

at the end of the german documentary they show the US Army's new audio triangulation system that can instantly identify the direction the sniper's shot came from

[Phrogman]

28. "Juba" is going to cost America dearly, imagine the cases of PTSS

that will result from his actions.

Can you imagine how it must feel to walk the streets over there knowing you could be in Juba's rifle sights?

[cassiepriam]

29. The Iraqis will win. That piece of land means more to them then it

it ever will to us.

[NickB79]

30. Making headshots at 500 yds is the work of skilled snipers

If a US soldier were wearing his body armor with the chest plate inserts, it will stop a 7.62x39mm round from an AK-47 at close range. A 7.62x54mm round (the caliber used in Soviet and Chinese Dragunov sniper rifles) is significantly more powerful, but at longer ranges velocity falls off, meaning that US body armor will still have a good chance of stopping it at 500 yds. That means these snipers are taking headshots, which is no easy feat. You have to compensate for bullet drop, wind drift, movement of your target. Basically, try hitting a balloon tied to a string as it bobs around in a slight breeze and you'll see that these shots are exceedingly difficult.

[hedgehog]

31. NBC showed similar video last night.

They blurred the video to obscure the identity of the soldiers and also cut away before the kill shot. NBC made clear that this is a problem but that the Army won't give out the numbers involved.