Phosphorus also used in Nasiriyah; American Marine comes forward.
Most of the news reports have focused on the RAI documentary on the American use of phosphorus in Fallujah. But now, a US Marine has come forward to talk about the use of phosphorus in Nasiriyah. This suggests two things: The use of incendiary chemical flares by the US was a lot more widespread than has been reported, and the Bush administration sought to cover up our use of such devices.
The Bush administration may try to spin their use of such devices as being for illuminating targets for air strikes. And, in fact, that is their purpose. But the US went far beyond that, and used these devices to kill people and thus "get the job done faster."
Anyway, I recall vividly a incident that took place at our position. A Marine Artillery battery was within 500 meters of our position and they were providing indirect fire support in support of ground operations occuring in and around An Nasiriyah. I recall them shooting at a target in a tree line, across the river, maybe 700-1000 meters to the east of our position. When the rounds were shot out, they seemed to explode over the target area. A dense white cloud rained down on the tree line and you could see some enemy vehicles attempt to flee the area. I knew from watching similar explosions in training exercises that the cloud raining down on the target area was a white phosphorus round. They shot about 5 of them from my recollection.
I recall thinking, "Man, that is some evil stuff there." Knowing what I know about Willy Pete, it would be a terrible way to die. White Phosphorus is supposed to be used to mark targets for aviation flying high over an objective area. And I know for a fact that no fixed-winged aviation was dropping ordnance in that area, it was too close to friendlies. I know this for a FACT. To see what I saw, not 1000 meters from where I was, in retrospect, is really frightening. I remember feeling like the more of them we killed, the quicker we could go home. And I am positive that is how every servicemember in a combat zone feels.
What I suggest is that the Bush administration, out of hatred and revenge at the Iraqis for daring to fight against the might of the US Army and thus foiling their plans to dominate the Middle East, ordered the indiscriminate use of phosphorus against targets that were extreme strongholds of resistance against our presence. Both Fallujah and Nasiriyah were hotbeds of resistance. And resistance in Fallujah continues despite the fact that we killed tens of thousands of people there.