U.S. Investigates Marines’ Actions in Iraq Battle

The military has opened a criminal investigation into a firefight between U.S. Marines and insurgents last year that left 15 Iraqi civilians dead, defense officials said Thursday.

The inquiry will attempt to determine whether the Marines acted appropriately when they fired back at insurgents after a roadside bomb attack in Haditha, near Baghdad, in November, said a military official who requested anonymity because the investigation had not been officially announced.

The initial allegations of possible violations were brought to the attention of the military by a reporter in mid-February, the official said.

Fifteen Iraqis, eight insurgents and a Marine were killed during the Nov. 19 battle.

The slain Marine was assigned to Regimental Combat Team 2 of the 2nd Marine Division; two other Marines were wounded. Defense officials would not identify the unit or Marines involved in the investigation. Though several Iraqis were part of the patrol, they are not involved in the investigation, the official said.

Military officials will try to determine whether the Marines followed the international law of armed conflict, including whether they positively identified or tried to identify the enemy and whether they determined there was hostile intent, as required.

The law regulates international military operations, and anyone found in violation can be held liable for war crimes and be court-martialed under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

It is not uncommon for insurgents to launch attacks from homes, hospitals and other public buildings, where civilians can be caught in the crossfire.

The official said the investigation was not focused on any individual. About a dozen Marines were involved in the incident.

As the Iraq war is about to enter its fourth year, estimates vary on civilian casualties. President Bush has said he thinks at least 30,000 Iraqis had been killed as of December, while some researchers put the number at 50,000 or more.

More than 2,300 U.S. military personnel have died in the conflict.