Live Blogging: The Zarqawi Autopsy: From MNF (US command Iraq) briefing
7:25 AM CDT: US Army MG Bill Caldwell is briefing. (TV coverage is live on both Fox News and CNN. MSNBC stays with Imus.)
Liveblogging:
MG Caldwell says:
Aircraft conducted the strike on the safe house (holding Zarqawi). The attack took pace at 6:12 PM. About twenty minutes later Iraqi police were on the scene (after the strike). Zarqawi reportedly lapsed in and out of consciousness. Approximately forty minutes coalition forces arrived at the scene. A medic tried to help him. Z’s breathing was labored. A medic checked his pulse. The medic knew Zarqawi had suffered severe internal injuries. The medic concluded Zarqawi’s death was imminent. At 7:04 PM on 7 June Zarqawi was dead (approximately 52 minutes after the first air strike and 24 minutes after coalition forces arrived). Abdul Al-Rahman (Zarqawi’s spiritual adviser) was killed by secondary blast injuries. [Caldwell says the timeline is tentative and a definitive timeline will be available in two days.]
Caldwell is now introducing two medical forensic experts who conducted the autopsy. ONe is a US military doctor, the other a pathologist (the pathologist joins the press conference over the phone).
Autopsies are only conducted in the US or donor countries. The experts conducting the autopsies were flown to Iraq.
“The Iraqi people deserve the facts, to know that the threat of Zarqawi has been eliminated and he was treated bewtter in death than he treated others in life.”
Tne DNA match results are back and the DNA test confirm Zarqawi was killed.
The autopsy was done on Saturday June 10.
One of the forensic experts is briefing, identified as Colone (Dr) Stephen Jones. Zarqawi was most likely thrown into an object (wall?) by the blast. He died from primary blast injury (and was therefore most likely in the house when it was hit). An autopsy was also done on Abdul al-Rahman.
QUESTION: Any evidence Zarqawi was beaten?
Medical pathologist (over phone): No, no evidence.
Dr Jones: The injury to his lungs (Zarqawi’s) were not survivable.
CALDWELL: Zarqawi’s and al-Rahman’s remains are still under coalition control.
NBC QUESTION: (several questions) Were the Iraqi police supposed to be there first? What about the medical care?
CALDWELL: (paraphrased) Medical care was provided at the scene. It was very evident he had extremely massive internal injuries. The Iraqi police were not part of this operaton. They were in the area. Coalition forces had not coordinated with them. They heard the blast and showed up.
QUESTION: Were the Iraqi police handcuffed by special forces?
CALDWELL: I have not been made aware of that.
QUESTION: What areas around Iraq were hit in raids after his death?…and are there concerns of Muslim burial rites?
CALDWELL: The government of Iraq is in consultation with the Dept of State about the final disposiiton of the remains. We have followed all the procedures for a coalition soldier having an autopsy…As for other strikes I will have to go back and ask that question. I know the person we were tracking was al-Rahman…11 operations in the immediate (last) 48 hours were based on intelligence related to the raid. The others (current operations) were part of on-going operations in the area. [Caldwell comes back to the latest 11 operations in response to a quesiton later in the briefing.]
CALDWELL: The bodiesof the three females found at the site have been turned over to Iraqi authorities.
QUESTION (Wahington Post): Why did it take at least 28 minutes for coalition forces to arrive.
CALDWELL: (paraphrased) When you are out in the field conducting operations you in your mind must be one hundred percent certain that you are making the best possible decision based on the information you have at the time. That’s what I meant by one hundred percent certain– that they knew that safe house was a legitimate target….This was a time sensitive target. We had been following al-Rahman. Information had told us that a link up between Zarqawi and al-Rahman (we saw) occuring at that time. Given it was a time sensitive target the best asset (we had for the strike) was that aircraft…This was a time sensitive target.
QUESTION: It sounds to me at least that Special Forces were in the air….and was there a suicide belt (on Zarqawi)?
CALDWELL: (paraphrased) Coalition forces were in the area…I am not aware of a suicide belt. (Will have to check)…
The pathologist reports that both bodies (Zarqaei and Rahman) were clothed. Al-Rahman was probably killed by being thrown against a wall. He also had blast injuries.
…(several questions are asked about blasts and lungs)
QUESTION: Are operations now in Ramadi linked to Zarqawi’s death?
CALDWELL:(paraphrased) The operations being conducted at Ramadi right now have been planned for a long time…This is not a Fallujah like operation if that is what you are alluding to. As far as the last 140 raids conducted…at company level and above by Iraqi forces and coalition forces all that I have been made aware of is a situaiton up in Baqabah (where we lost two young children)…[Caldwell makes the point that there are more operations going on– the 140 figure refers to company-sized.]
QUESTION: Are any of the three men killed at the site liable for the $25 million reward? Can you give us an estimate of what you have done to Al Qaeda as a result of this raid in the last four or five days.
CALDWELL: Rewards is a Dept of State program. (Ask them.) As far as the Al Qaeda network we are cautiously optimisztic. We realize this is not going to end the insurgency…but it gives the Iraqi people themselve (a chance to take charge)…The more the Iraqi people continue to take control of their destiny that will be key to ending the insurgency in Iraq.
QUESTION: The 140 attacks. What percentage relat to Zarqawi and where are they?
CALDWELL: 11 in the last 48 hours are attributable to what came from the site (Zarqawi raid). They were within a 15 to 20 kilometer radius of Baghdad.
I’ve tried to concentrate on significant questions. All questions and answers are paraphrased. I’ll look for a press conference transcript when one becomes available.
I wish I could be surprised that the media has shown more concern about whether Zarqawi got beaten up a little, but sadly, I am not. The media seems to show far more concern for the bad guys than the folks who are trying to take the bad guys down.
Comment by HaroldHutchison — 6/12/2006 @ 6:59 am
Autopsy Showed Zarqawi Died from Bomb Blast… Updated Maj. Gen. William Caldwell, Centcom spokesman, said during this morning’s press conference that Zarqawi lived for 55 minutes after the blast. US Army surgeon Dr. Steve Jones confirmed that Abu Musab al-Zarqawi died from injuries from a bomb bl…
Trackback by Wizbang — 6/12/2006 @ 9:54 am
“are there concerns of Muslim burial rites?” How about wrap him in pig skin and cremate him?
Comment by ic — 6/12/2006 @ 12:25 pm
It is evident that the MSM is in full damage control mode after Zarqawi’s death. After all they told us that the US was losing in Iraq, the Iraqi people would never vote for democracy, and al Qaeda was untouchable. As one sage put it, now that Zarqawi is gone who can we surrender to and accept our huliliating defeat?
Comment by Mwalimu Daudi — 6/12/2006 @ 1:30 pm
That’s “humiliating”, of course! How huliliating/humiliating!
Comment by Mwalimu Daudi — 6/12/2006 @ 1:31 pm
Sorry, but we didn’t beat him to death… Ever since the raid that killed the psychopathic Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, there’s been a “rumor that must be true” floating around the fever swamps of the Left that he was captured alive and then tortured and executed by American forces….
Trackback by Public Secrets: from the files of the Irishspy — 6/12/2006 @ 1:48 pm
Please fix your right margin . It overlaps your text.
Comment by SCATTERSHOT — 6/12/2006 @ 2:09 pm
The good news is that maybe he did get to suffer a bit, and know by who’s hand he was suffereing, before he died. So, a tiny bit of retribution. Hopefully, he’s earning the rest right now.
Comment by Mark — 6/12/2006 @ 2:29 pm
It saounds as if the Zark suffered similar injuries and cause of death as our GI’s get when they are ambushed with IEDs. Sounds like justice to me.
Comment by Joe_Haskins — 6/12/2006 @ 3:23 pm
The answer to the “28 minutes” question is, “Well, they were 28 minutes away. Next dumb question…”
Comment by Kerry — 6/12/2006 @ 5:03 pm
I try to believe that people in MSM just have a different view point but are still democracy loving Americans, but the more I see and hear of them it becomes obvious that they are actively cheering for the other side. How does it matter how this s.o.b. died or how his corpse is treated? It’s a ass backwards value system that looks out for murderers and nit picks the actions of those who would prevent it.
Comment by El Duderino — 6/12/2006 @ 7:50 pm
Once again the MSM shows just how clueless it is.
Comment by Rich DiNardo — 6/12/2006 @ 8:35 pm
Who Really Killed Zarqawi? Exclusive Pictorial Rep… It has only been several days since the death of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, and already there are conflicting reports as to how he actually died….
Trackback by Political Humor — 6/12/2006 @ 10:35 pm
I have the same trouble as Scattershot–regardless of what I try to fix it. Still a great read, tho, even if I do have to guess how most of the lines end–
Comment by Buddy Larsen — 6/13/2006 @ 12:14 am
Autopsy Blogging… Austin Bay liveblogged MG Caldwell’s briefing on Zarqawi’s autopsy…….
Trackback by Pajamas Media — 6/13/2006 @ 5:16 am
are you guys really buying this script? seriously, i’ve seen better movies than this propaganda. Two 500lb bombs and the guy had no scratches. Have you seen what one 500lb does to a tank? Now they’re saying he was alive after the bombing. I guess they changed their story because they forgot people can google “500lb bomb” in the video section and realize that no bomb killed Zarqawi. Well, unless you’re selling the same stuff… You know, oil. Then it’s a great story!
Comment by superman — 6/13/2006 @ 5:27 am
Speaking of Fever Swamps, we’re honoured by your visit superman. So, what’s the REAL story then? We’re all waiting!!
Comment by Tex Lovera — 6/13/2006 @ 6:35 am
Austin: The whole thing is at the Army Media Player site: http://www.army.mil. On the left nav-column, under the header “Army News”, click on “Army Media Player” The Bit with Caldwell trying to suppress a laugh as he “throws his buddy under the bus” is priceless. This thing, and the Tele-conf that preceeded it over the weekend ought to be required viewing for all Army Officers, Commissioned or Not. Nice job, Austin.
Comment by CPT Roscoe — 6/13/2006 @ 11:27 am
I don’t know the real story. I know he didnt die from a bomb blast. Shot while running away? maybe?
Comment by superman — 6/13/2006 @ 11:40 am
Well, superman, Zarqawi is dead and thereby unable to harm innocent people at all. I really don’t care about the details - the U.S. military got the most important part right by placing Zarqawi at the ambient temperature.
Comment by HaroldHutchison — 6/13/2006 @ 12:00 pm
Well it is always nice to have someone like superman around. They don’t a damn thing other than if it is reported by t the military it has to be some form of a lie.
Comment by joe — 6/13/2006 @ 1:36 pm
Austin, would you care to think about giving a prize for the dumbest question asked at the press conference?
Comment by Rich DiNardo — 6/13/2006 @ 3:24 pm
I don’t know the real story. I know he didnt die from a bomb blast. Shot while running away? maybe? Don’t know much about concussive injuries, do you? Unless the victim is struck by shrapnel or other debris either projected with or dislodged by the blast wave, there will be few external injuries but massive internal ones–this is due to the flexible nature and hydrostatic composition of the human body. A gunshot wound victim may experience a similar hydrostatic shock to a lesser degree, but there will also be highly visible entry and possibly exit wounds. There will also be a wound track, following the course the round took through the body and influenced by the round’s ballistic properties. None of that was mentioned, even though something as obvious as a gunshot wound would be a major red flag to any halfway competent medical personnel. But that wouldn’t be you, now would it…?
Comment by ipw533 — 6/13/2006 @ 7:13 pm
I agree with Harold Hutchison. I don’t really care about the circumstances surrounding Zarqawi’s daeth as long as he is dead, dead, dead! If he took a few licks before he dies, so what? With all the pain this guy dealt out in life, if seems a shame if he didn’t. As for the MSM, if they keep bleeding from their hearts over this guy’s fate, guess I’ll have to cancel a few subscriptions and change a few channels.
Comment by Frank Parkerson — 6/14/2006 @ 2:09 pm
I’m still waiting for Caldwell to present that timeline he said he would have for ‘anyone who wants to see it’ DAYS ago.
Comment by thelastdiamond — 6/21/2006 @ 1:02 pm