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Are these American human rights?

Lisa Ashkenaz Croke | 29.09.2003 02:14 | Anti-militarism | World

A man was killed and two of his children wounded when two U.S. missiles struck their farm in the middle of the night, last week. "May God's curse fall upon the Americans, for they have no fear of God," said the man's cousin, who asked, "Are these American human rights?"

The U.S. military only acknowledges killing one guerrilla fighter in al-Sajir, a village west of Fallujah.

However, police and hospital officials confirm witness accounts that three villagers died and three others were wounded. This includes Ali Khalaf Mohammed, 45, and his sons, Hussein, 11, and Tahseen, 9. The boys have been hospitalized at Fallujah Hospital.

The two others killed were villagers Saadi Fayad and Salem Ismail, both said to be in their 30's.

According to U.S. military spokespersons, the 82nd Airborne Division was attacked at 2 am and exchanged gunfire with the assailants who fled into a building in al-Sajir. Specialist Anthony Reinoso told a reporter that weapons were seen in a crowd forming outside and that the crowd deliberately "attempted to block several intersections." At some point, air support was called.

The only adult wounded, Abed Rasheed, 50, said he was asleep with his family atop their roof when he was awoken by gunfire. As he ran downstairs, he heard U.S. aircraft fire rockets.

"This is genocide. This is not about overthrowing a government or regime change," Rasheed, a retired non-commissioned army officer now hospitalized with chest and foot wounds told the Associated Press.

U.S. troops launched six missiles into the village, located 9 miles west of guerrilla hot-spot, Fallujah

Lisa Ashkenaz Croke
- Homepage: http://www.NewsFromTheFront.org

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