Thread: Ahmed and his mother, Mahassen, were killed by Blackwater

Ahmed and his mother, Mahassen, were killed by Blackwater in the September 16 shootings in Baghdad.

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Haythem could only recognize his oldest boy from his tall and slim physique as well as what was left of his shoes. His son's head had been blown away, his body charred beyond recognition. His wife of more than 20 years was torn apart.

"Only part of her neck and jaw remained," Haythem told CNN. The rest of her was covered by a body bag.

Choking back tears, he said, "Killing them was not enough, blowing up their skulls, they burned them and disfigured them."

Haythem's wife, Mahassen, and his 20-year-old son, Ahmed, were among the 17 Iraqi civilians killed and 27 others wounded in a hail of gunfire September 16 in Baghdad. Watch Haythem's video of the charred wreckage »
Guards working for private security firm Blackwater USA are accused of opening fire on the Iraqis.

The Iraqi government has said the Blackwater guards shot without provocation -- something the U.S.-based contractor has denied, saying the guards were in a firefight with gunmen.

An Iraqi government report has accused Blackwater of "premeditated murder," saying the company's guards randomly fired at civilians. An Iraqi panel investigating the shootings has asked Blackwater to pay the families of each of the victims $8 million in compensation.

"Money will not compensate us for what we have lost, even if it were piles of it," Haythem said. "No one can put a price on the lives of those killed."
Haythem, 46, a doctor who specializes in blood diseases, spoke from his temporary home in an upscale Baghdad neighborhood where he is living with his mother and two remaining children -- daughter Maryam, 18, and son Haidar, 17.

While he spoke, his mother sat in a corner of the room, moaning and sobbing, rocking back and forth on a couch. She wore all black.

All Haythem and the family know about the final moments of their loved ones is what two Iraqi police officers who witnessed the shootings have told them -- that Ahmed was shot as he was driving his car in Nusoor Square and his mother clutched him tight as he was bleeding.

"Those who witnessed the incident say that my son's head was scattered and my wife held him and hugged him," Haythem said. "She was screaming, 'My son, my son! Help me! Help me!' "

The car slowly rolled forward until Blackwater guards unleashed more shots that turned the vehicle into a fireball, according to the witnesses.
"They understood the call for help. They sprayed her with bullets," he said.
Blackwater has not discussed specifics about the case, saying the FBI is investigating the matter. Blackwater CEO Erik Prince told CNN Sunday one of the Blackwater vehicles was damaged by small arms fire and that his guards committed no "deliberate violence."

Haythem's wife also was a doctor and his son was attending medical school with hopes of becoming a surgeon.

"They destroyed my family and they killed my beloved wife, my better half," Haythem said calmly. "They deprived me of my eldest son who I have raised into a strong, young man. They deprived him of fulfilling his dream to be a doctor and a surgeon. They planted pain and misery in the hearts of my two younger kids."

His daughter and son live in fear that he too will be slain on the streets of Baghdad, leaving them as orphans.

Dad: Blackwater blew up son's and wife's 'skulls' - CNN.com

It's time the US remove Blackwater from Iraq. How can we leave them there after this? The Iraqi government has asked for them to be removed.

Just thought I'd put a face on the people our mercenaries killed....anyone care?

What are we really doing over there in Iraq? Our troops are dying each day and for what? We need to pull out and worry about our own people and government. How can America police the world and be the global helpline and still function fine? We might as well just give up half our paychecks to the government so we feel better when they have money to help everyone.

Originally Posted by ViolaLeee

Just thought I'd put a face on the people our mercenaries killed....anyone care?

Has Murtha accused Blackwater of "cold blooded murder yet"?
If it's all the same to you, I'll await the results of the ongoing investigation before I comment.

Originally Posted by ViolaLeee

Just thought I'd put a face on the people our mercenaries killed....anyone care?

Thank you for doing that. Migi e is correct to say that we should await the results of an independent investigation (provided there is going to be one) before apportioning blame, but we do need to see the human face of what we are doing in Iraq.

I am not inclined to believe this doctor's wife (a doctor herself) and her student son were putting the lives of any Blackwater employees in danger. Someone killed them in cold blood, either in error or intentionally, and someone should be brought to account.

From The Declaration of Independence, just one of the stated grievances the founding fathers had relative to the rule of King George:

He is at this time transporting large Armies of foreign Mercenaries to compleat the works of death, desolation, and tyranny, already begun with circumstances of Cruelty & Perfidy scarcely paralleled in the most barbarous ages, and totally unworthy the Head of a civilized nation


Declaration of Independence
OR
The Declaration of Independence

Excellent description of the current Head of our Nation.

His two remaining children may seek revenge on day, but people will think that an attack was just because they don't like our way of life. These are the things that breed terrorism in this country. Those people are sick and tired of losing their loved ones - and for who, for what?