US Marines apparently urinated on enemies' bodies

A video of US Marines apparently urinating on the bodies of dead Taliban fighters in Afghanistan has been posted online. The publication provoked a backlash by Taliban spokespeople.

'A spokesman told the BBC: "It is not a human action, it's a wild action that is too shameful for us to talk about."

'But another Taliban spokesman said the video would not derail attempts at peace talks to end the war.

'The US military is investigating the authenticity of the video and the Marine Corps said the actions were not consistent with its core values'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-16524419

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I should hope the authenticity of the video will be investigated by someone, since it is a war crime to despoil the dead:

"The main obligation to the dead is now found in Article 15 of the First Geneva Convention. The thrust of that article is the need to aid the wounded. However, it also provides that the parties must “at all times, and particularly after an engagement… search for the dead and prevent their being despoiled.” " https://www.crimesofwar.org/a-z-guide/dead-and-wounded/

Is this just a few bad apples, or is this a symptom of a culture among US Marines? How could they do this unless they are not being properly trained to understand and uphold international laws and human rights?

I see nothing so terrible about that. Had the Marines collected their ears as war trophies, maybe. But they were just washing dead bodies the most efficient way, since water in the desert is in short supply.

I'm sorry, I just want to be the first to make lame comments about soldiers taking the piss in wartime.

Just a guess on my part, but since it is being investigated it would seem it's not acceptable behavior.
And of course there is this from your link

The guy to ask IMO is TFS member CausaMortis he seems very knowledgeable about Afghanistan and everything he posted in a reply to one of my posts checked out.

Was going to post this yesterday but decided against it because the vid I saw wasn't blurred out.

I would love to say I'm shocked but I'm not,this just the tip of the iceberg.

oops

I think if you have a group of soldiers stuck in a foreign land for reasons that are not completely clear and with a tipped power balance and a culture of dehumanization and pressure to perform from above then actions like these from a small few are inevitable.

Eh. Sucks that they got caught doing it, but I can't really fault them for that. When people are trying to kill you, and you get them first, it's pretty natural to want to do that kind of thing. Pissing on them is extremely tame and nondestructive compared to other things they could do.

That is horrible.
I think dead people no matter who they are need respect.
The marines have rocks in their head.

I think it's pretty horrible.

Aside even from the ghastliness of it the net effect will be to move public opinion against the US and assist their enemies in recruiting and assistance.

Don't mess with marines.

I think it's really horrible. I understand they are enemies, but fighting a war and disrespecting individual people is a whole different matter. If it were the other way round the US Marines were being urinated on how do you think their family and friends would feel?!
Really, really disgusting if you ask me.

If it is indeed a war crime they should be found and punished. Simple as.

Wow, Johnny, look at this - we agree!

Great post!