Video Shows U.S. Soldiers Surrendering Before Fatal Shooting in Jordan
Source: NY Times
Newly released video of the killing of three American Special Forces soldiers in November at the gate of a military base in Jordan shows that the episode, which was initially explained as a split-second mistake by a Jordanian guard firing on Americans who failed to stop, was actually a six-minute gun battle where Americans crouched behind barriers and repeatedly waved their hands in surrender as the gunman closed in and killed them.
The footage, which was made public on Monday by the Jordanian military, contradicts statements Jordanian officials initially made saying that the Americans had failed to stop at the gate, or that the accidental discharge of an American weapon sparked the shooting.
The video makes it clear that the gunman, Ma’arik al-Tawayha, a Jordanian Air Force sergeant, deliberately fired at two of the soldiers.
Sergeant Tawayha, who was wounded in the gunfight, was sentenced last week to life in prison for the killing of Staff Sgt. Matthew C. Lewellen, 27, of Kirksville, Mo.; Staff Sgt. Kevin J. McEnroe, 30, of Tucson; and Staff Sgt. James F. Moriarty, 27, of Kerrville, Tex.
The verdict sparked street protests among members of Sergeant Tawayha’s influential tribe, the Howeitat, who said he had acted within the rules of engagement and was being punished to placate a powerful ally. According to the Jordanian news media, the authorities responded with arrests and what the tribe says were intentional internet blackouts to limit spread of news of the protests, but the tribe has continued to press for a new trial.
James R. Moriarty, a Houston lawyer and the father of Sergeant Moriarty, said Monday that he was briefed by the F.B.I., which told him the video was released by Jordanian authorities to defuse protests and keep Sergeant Tawayha from being extolled as a martyr.
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/24/us/video-shows-us-soldiers-surrendering-before-fatal-shooting-in-jordan.html
This story has been 'pushed off to the side' by all the other events of today.
The soldier from Jordan that murdered 7 Israeli schoolgirls in cold blood back in 1997 served 20 years of his 'life' sentence was released still unrepentant to a 'welcoming celebration' recently. This guy probably won't serve a 'life' sentence either for murdering 3 US soldiers as he has support from a significant tribe in Jordan that regards him as just 'doing his job'.
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/03/12/world/middleeast/israel-jordan-ahmad-daghamseh-island-of-peace-massacre.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/17/world/middleeast/jordan-killing-us-soldiers.html
= new reply since forum marked as read
