US defends use of white phosphorus against Iraq insurgents

[Psycho4Bud]

WASHINGTON (AFX) - The US today defended the use of white phosphorus munitions against insurgents in Iraq last year but denied civilians were targeted.

The toxic agent was used during what a US army journal called 'shake and bake' missions against insurgents in the battle for Fallujah last year.

'It's part of our conventional weapons inventory. We use it like we use any other conventional weapon,' said Bryan Whitman, a Pentagon spokesman.

Whitman said he had no knowledge of any civilian victims of attacks with white phosphorus.

'We don't target any civilians with any of our weapons, and to suggest US forces were targeting civilians with these weapons would be wrong,' he said.

'We don't target civilian populations. We go to great lengths to do everything possible to prevent civilian casualties, and collateral damage to property,' he said.

Reports that white phosphorous was used in Fallujah has thrust the US into a new controversy over Iraq war tactics.

But another Defense Department spokesman highlighted that white phosphorous has been used by armies around the world for the past century.

A yellowish substance with a pungent smell similar to garlic, white phosphorous erupts spontaneously into fire when exposed to oxygen, releasing a dense white smoke.

Incandescent particles of white phosphorus can cause deep, painful chemical burns, said GlobalSecurity.Org, a Washington group that gathers information on military subjects.

A report on the battle of Fallujah published in April in the army journal Field Artillery said white phosphorous 'proved to be an effective and versatile munition' in Fallujah.

'We used it for screening missions at two breeches and, later in the fight, as a potent psychological weapon against the insurgents in trench lines and spider holes when we could not get effects on them with HE (high explosives),' said the report.

'We fired 'shake and bake' missions at the insurgents, using WP to flush them out and HE to take them out,' it said.

'We used improved WP for screening missions when HC smoke would have been more effective and saved our WP for lethal missions,' it said.

Whitman said US forces used the munition mainly to create smoke screens in battle and to mark targets, but he acknowledged they were used against insurgents as well.

Lieutenant Colonel Barry Venable, another Pentagon spokesman, said the white phosphorus also was used as an incendiary weapon.

'It has been used in armies the world over for most the past century, I believe. It was used by US forces in Operation Al Fajr, specifically to target enemy combatants so we could defeat them,' he said.
http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/afx...fx2341690.html

Used by armies thoughout the world for the past century.....I guess Italy forgot to mention that fact though! :thumbsup:

Psycho4Bud Reviewed by Psycho4Bud on 11-16-2005. US defends use of white phosphorus against Iraq insurgents WASHINGTON (AFX) - The US today defended the use of white phosphorus munitions against insurgents in Iraq last year but denied civilians were targeted. The toxic agent was used during what a US army journal called 'shake and bake' missions against insurgents in the battle for Fallujah last year. 'It's part of our conventional weapons inventory. We use it like we use any other conventional weapon,' said Bryan Whitman, a Pentagon spokesman. Whitman said he had no knowledge of any Rating: 5

[Tholiak]

ok..what is any different between this and Napalm? It is TOTALLY legal to use against combatants..its not "technically" a chemical weapon, its a tracer round used to light up targets. And besides..it was being shot at people trying to murder us soldiers..who the hell cares what kind of method was used to kill them?

[eg420ne]

So we accused saddam of using chemical weapons on his people, but its alright for the U.S. 2 use chemical weapons.

[Psycho4Bud]

So we accused saddam of using chemical weapons on his people, but its alright for the U.S. 2 use chemical weapons.

The ones Saddam used weren't allowed by the international community while the "substance" we used is considered A-O.K. :thumbsup:

Besides that, he INTENTIONALLY used his on civilians.

[Tholiak]

You dont know how this weapon works dumbass..Usually it is fired overhead and explodes, lights up the sky like you would see the fireworks that light the sky up in a bright light. But in this case, they were fired inside of Windows, to let the people inside shooting at OUR soldiers to get a lil light in their life.

[eg420ne]

STFU dude, fukin dumbass

[yocass]

STFU dude, fukin dumbass

He has proven his side of the story... good arguement indeed

[nicholasstanko]

Yep, you guys make me fucking sick.

White phosphoruous is explicitly forbidden to be used against civilians. It is ok to use as signal flares, but when aimed directly at civilians and soldiers it is classified as a chem weapon.

You obviously dont know what happens as phosphorous is used. the skin melts away for hours and water wont help a fuck.

but of course, you shit faced assholes dont care because they're only muslims. Just because it isnt condemned, doesnt mean that it should be used. Innocent people died and you guys cheer on.


may you burn in hell.

[Psycho4Bud]

Yep, you guys make me fucking sick.

Get well soon!! :thumbsup:

White phosphoruous is explicitly forbidden to be used against civilians. It is ok to use as signal flares, but when aimed directly at civilians and soldiers it is classified as a chem weapon.

FALSE...use against soldiers is alright.

You obviously dont know what happens as phosphorous is used. the skin melts away for hours and water wont help a fuck.

It actually keeps eating all flesh till it hits the bone. Water doesn't help fuck but fuckin' in the water is fun!! :thumbsup:

but of course, you shit faced assholes dont care because they're only muslims. Just because it isnt condemned, doesnt mean that it should be used. Innocent people died and you guys cheer on.

An insurgent firing an AK at our troops is an innocent person?

may you burn in hell.

See ya there buddy!! :thumbsup:

By the way, I recall a cigar story indian stating that we should all play nice together...did you miss your tolorance training??? :smokin:

[nicholasstanko]

See ya there buddy!! :thumbsup:

By the way, I recall a cigar story indian stating that we should all play nice together...did you miss your tolorance training??? :smokin:

Hey moron. I said that its use against civilians isnt alright. I mentioned that when used against civilians or soldiers its THEN classified as a chem weapon.