An Italian TV network has released interviews and photographs showing that the United States dropped massive quantities of white phosphorus on the Iraqi city of Fallujah during the attack on the city in November 2004, killing insurgents and civilians with the appalling burns that are the signature of this weapon. White Phosphorus has nearly identical effects as Napalm and has been outlawed by international convention.
An audio version of the report in English can be heard here.
A US veteran of the Iraq war told RAI New correspondent Sigfrido Ranucci this:
I received the order use caution because we had used white phosphorus on Fallujah. In military slag it is called ‘Willy Pete’. Phosphorus burns the human body on contact–it even melts it right down to the bone.
In the investigative story, produced by Maurizio Torrealta, dramatic footage is shown revealing the effects of the bombardment on civilians, women and children, some of whom were surprised in their sleep.
The investigation will also broadcast documentary proof of the use in Iraq of a new napalm formula called MK77. The use of the incendiary substance on civilians is forbidden by a 1980 UN treaty. The use of chemical weapons is forbidden by a treaty which the US signed in 1997
The hypocracy is almost unbelievable. We used weapons of mass destruction against women and children in a retaliatory raid on a city that was rebelling against our occupation. This is exactly the reason the neo-cons give for their professed horror about Saddam.
We have met the enemy….