From In the Dark: What Happened That Day in Haditha?
2Digest
This podcast episode delves into the Haditha Killings, a tragic event that occurred in 2005 in Iraq. The episode begins by introducing Khaled Salman Received, whose family was killed by US Marines in Haditha. The episode then explores the events leading up to the killings, including the arrival of US Marines and the growing insurgency in the region. The episode also features the perspective of Dana Hayat, a retired US Marine who served as a civil affairs officer in Haditha, who shares his insights on the events leading up to the killings. The episode then details the meeting between Khaled Salman Received and other town leaders with Marines, including Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Chassani and Dana Hayat, to demand an investigation into the killings. The episode highlights the failed investigation and the false explanation offered by Chassani, blaming the insurgents. The episode then explores the video evidence of the killings, which was smuggled out of Iraq and eventually led to a Time magazine article exposing the incident. The episode discusses the multiple investigations launched by the US military, but ultimately no Marines were convicted. The episode concludes by discussing the complexities of the military justice system and the lack of accountability in the Haditha case. The episode emphasizes the importance of remembering the Haditha killings and seeking justice for the victims.
Outlines
The Haditha Killings: A Story of Betrayal and Unjustice
This episode investigates the Haditha Killings, a massacre of Iraqi civilians by US Marines in 2005, exploring the events leading up to the killings, the failed investigations, and the lasting impact on the victims and their families.
Introducing In-the-Dark and its New Season
This segment introduces the podcast In-the-Dark and its new season, highlighting its previous success with the Curtis Flowers case and its ambitious scope, covering a story largely forgotten by the world.
Khaled Salman Received's Story: The Haditha Killings
This segment introduces Khaled Salman Received, whose family was killed by US Marines in Haditha, Iraq. The segment details the events leading up to the killings, including the arrival of US Marines and the growing insurgency in the region.
Dana Hayat's Perspective: A Civil Affairs Officer in Haditha
This segment introduces Dana Hayat, a retired US Marine who served as a civil affairs officer in Haditha. He shares his perspective on the events leading up to the killings, including his role in managing the fallout from incidents involving civilians.
The Meeting with Marines and the Failed Investigation
This segment details the meeting between Khaled Salman Received and other town leaders with Marines, including Lieutenant Colonel Jeffrey Chassani and Dana Hayat, to demand an investigation into the killings. Chassani offers a false explanation, blaming the insurgents, and fails to launch a proper investigation.
The Video Evidence and the Aftermath
This segment explores the video evidence of the killings, which was smuggled out of Iraq and eventually led to a Time magazine article exposing the incident. The segment discusses the multiple investigations launched by the US military, but ultimately no Marines were convicted.
Keywords
Haditha Killings
The Haditha Killings refers to the massacre of 24 Iraqi civilians, including women and children, by US Marines in the city of Haditha, Iraq, on November 19, 2005. The incident sparked international outrage and led to multiple investigations, but no Marines were convicted of war crimes.
Military Justice System
The military justice system is a separate legal system that governs crimes committed by members of the US armed forces. It is often criticized for its opacity and lack of accountability, particularly in cases involving war crimes.
War Crimes
War crimes are serious violations of the laws and customs of war, such as the killing of civilians, torture, and the destruction of cultural property. They are punishable under international law.
Insurgency
An insurgency is a rebellion or uprising against a government or occupying force. In the context of the Iraq War, the insurgency was a major challenge for the US military, leading to increased violence and instability.
Collateral Damage
Collateral damage refers to the unintentional harm or death of civilians during military operations. It is a controversial issue in modern warfare, as it raises questions about the ethics of military action and the responsibility of governments to protect civilians.
Fog of War
The fog of war is a term used to describe the confusion and uncertainty that often characterize military operations. It can make it difficult to distinguish between combatants and civilians, and can lead to mistakes and unintended consequences.
Condoleence Payments
Condoleence payments are financial compensation offered by the US military to the families of civilians killed during military operations. They are often seen as a way to appease families and avoid further conflict, but they are also criticized for being inadequate and for failing to address the underlying issues of accountability and justice.
Q&A
What were the circumstances surrounding the Haditha Killings?
The killings occurred on November 19, 2005, in the city of Haditha, Iraq. US Marines, responding to an IED attack that killed one of their own, entered several houses and killed 24 civilians, including women and children. The incident sparked international outrage and led to multiple investigations, but no Marines were convicted of war crimes.
What were the key challenges faced by the people of Haditha during the US occupation?
The people of Haditha faced a difficult situation, caught between the violence of the insurgency and the harsh tactics of the US military. They were subjected to frequent searches, detentions, and threats from both sides, creating a climate of fear and distrust.
How did the military justice system handle the Haditha case?
The military justice system, a separate legal system for crimes committed by members of the US armed forces, was criticized for its opacity and lack of accountability in the Haditha case. Despite charges being filed against four Marines, none were convicted, highlighting the challenges of achieving justice in war crimes cases.
What was the significance of Khaled Salman Received's video documentation of the killings?
Khaled Salman Received's video, which documented the evidence of the killings, played a crucial role in bringing the Haditha incident to light. It was smuggled out of Iraq and eventually led to a Time magazine article that exposed the massacre to a wider audience, sparking international outrage and prompting the US military to launch investigations.
What are the lasting implications of the Haditha Killings?
The Haditha Killings serve as a stark reminder of the human cost of war and the importance of accountability for war crimes. The incident also highlights the complexities of the military justice system and the challenges of achieving justice for victims of violence in conflict zones.
Show Notes
This program is drawn from a new season of the award-winning investigative podcast In the Dark. On a November day in 2005, in the city of Haditha, Iraq, something terrible happened. “Depending on whose story you believed, the killings were a war crime, a murder,” the lead reporter Madeleine Baran says. “Or they were a legitimate combat action and the victims were collateral damage. Or the killings were a tragic mistake, unintentional—sad, but not criminal. Basically, the only thing that everyone could agree on was that twenty-four people had died, and it was marines who’d killed them.” Season 3 of In the Dark looks at what happened that day in Haditha, and why no one was held accountable for the killings. Baran and her team travelled to twenty-one states and three continents over the course of four years to report on a story that the world had largely forgotten. Episode 1 airs this week on The New Yorker Radio Hour, and you can listen to the rest of the series wherever you get your podcasts.
Table of contents
United States
