When the pen isn’t mightier than the sword
: There were many questions at this morning’s Centcom briefing about the deaths of journalists under fire in Baghdad. Centcom just put up a press statement reminding everyone that war is dangerous — especially when you’re sitting in the heart of a military target controlled by the enemy:
U.S. Central Command has received further clarification on two incidents of journalists being harmed during combat operations in Baghdad today.
The first incident involved reporters from Al Jazeera. According to commanders on the ground, Coalition forces came under significant enemy fire from the building where the Al Jazeera journalists were working and, consistent with the inherent right of self-defense, Coalition forces returned fire. Sadly, an Al Jazeera correspondent was killed in this exchange.
In the second incident, commanders on the ground reported that Coalition forces received significant enemy fire from the Palestine Hotel in Baghdad and, consistent with their inherent right of self defense, Coalition forces returned fire. Sadly, a Reuters and a Tele 5 (Spain) journalist were killed in this exchange.
Unfortunately, both of these buildings were being used by journalists reporting on the war.
These tragic incidents appear to be the latest example of the Iraqi regime
