A U.S. soldier is accused of shooting nine children, three women and four men in a house-to-house rampage in villages near his combat outpost in southern Afghanistan on Sunday.
The incident has sent ripples across the U.S. and the world, sparking threats of revenge from the Taliban, concern about the political implications of the attack and outrage from villagers.
There are more questions than answers around this horrific attack: What exactly happened when the soldier entered those villages Sunday? Who was the soldier behind this attack? Why did he do it? What are the political ramifications of this attack? And how will it affect the goal of peace in Afghanistan and future U.S. relations with the country?
How much do we know about what happened?
The shootings are believed to have begun between 2 and 3 a.m. Sunday in Panjwai district in Afghanistan's Kandahar province when the soldier went from house to house opening fire, according to officials and witnesses from the village.
"One guy came in and pulled a boy from his sleep, and he shot him in this doorway," one mother in the village told CNN. "Then they came back inside the room and put a gun in the mouth of one child and stomped on another child."
While investigators try to figure out exactly what happened, villagers say that the evidence that remains from the shooting paints a grisly picture. Shell casings were strewn across the streets. A dead toddler with a blood-stained face was lying sandwiched between two other dead men in the back of a pickup truck. In another truck, not far away, a blanket covered the charred bodies of two more victims.
A local minister told CNN that one family alone lost 11 members during the shooting spree.
"Look at this. The bodies - they all belong to one family," a villager cried.
While the bodies are mostly now covered or have been removed, the reminders of what happened literally still stain the village.
The floors and the walls of several homes in this area are splattered with the blood of those ambushed during the early morning attack.
The attack has shaken residents of the area in the western part of Kandahar, which is known to have a strong Taliban presence. Villagers there told CNN they are enraged. Residents say they moved back to the village because people on the nearby military base had said it was safe to return home, and that nobody would bother them.
Now, men openly weep in the street. Dreams of peace are now replaced with much of sorrow, and many people are crying and trying, through tears, to come to terms with what happened in Panjwai.
Who is the soldier accused in the shooting?
Details about the soldier are beginning to emerge, but they are sparse. So far, it's known that he was a qualified infantry sniper, according to a senior U.S. Department of Defense official.
The unidentified suspect served three tours of duty in Iraq before being deployed to Afghanistan, said Gen. John Allen, the U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan. A U.S. military official, who asked not to be named because he was talking about an ongoing investigation, said the suspect is an Army staff sergeant who arrived in Afghanistan in January.
During the suspect's last deployment, in 2010, he was riding in a vehicle that rolled over in an accident, according to a senior Defense Department official, who also spoke on condition of anonymity. The sergeant was diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury after the crash but was found fit for duty after treatment, the official said.
Traumatic brain injury has become one of the signature injuries of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He had been stationed at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, a sprawling military installation between Tacoma and Olympia, Washington. A handful of soldiers from the base have been involved in violent incidents in the past few years, including four soldiers convicted of killing Afghan civilians in 2010 as part of a "kill squad." Also in 2010, three other soldiers "suffered dangerous public mental breakdowns" after returning from Afghanistan, with two of them shot to death by police, according to the Stars and Stripes military newspaper.
The suspect's family has been moved to that base for their safety, an official said.
In Sunday's incident, after an Afghan soldier alerted the U.S. military at the outpost of the soldier's initial departure, the U.S. military put up an aircraft to search for him. Soon after, Afghan civilians came to the gate carrying wounded civilians, the first indication the military had of the shooting. When the soldier turned himself over to the search party, he immediately invoked his right not to speak. He has been moved to Kandahar and put in pretrial confinement, a congressional source told CNN.
The soldier could face the death penalty, said Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, who spoke to reporters as he flew to the Central Asian nation of Kyrgyzstan for high-level talks Tuesday.
What are the security concerns after the attacks?
There are fears that Sunday's killings could reignite the anger that led to deadly riots directed at international forces last month over the burning of Qurans by U.S. troops. That was one of a string of incidents involving American forces that have recently strained ties between the United States and Afghanistan.
The Taliban has already warned there will be reprisals, perhaps violent ones. Members of parliament in Kabul have decided to close down the parliament in protest of the killings. Hundreds of Afghans took to the streets Tuesday to protest the killings as the Taliban threatened to behead "Americans anywhere in the country."
There is a lot of anger brewing in the village and across the country. There's a lot of speculation that this plays into the hands of the divisive Taliban, which is trying to say, "Look, you can't really trust these coalition forces who claim to be here to help you," said CNN's Sara Sidner, who has spoken to villagers.
The U.S. government, NATO and Afghan officials are looking into this. But the real concern for Americans is that there are a lot of people asking for swift justice and wanting the person who perpetrated this crime to be tried in Afghanistan.
And that's why some U.S. commanders in Afghanistan are tightening security to protect against retaliation. Some of the precautions were put in place after the Quran burning incident, a senior defense official tells CNN.
The measures include adding a second U.S. soldier to watchtowers, where before there was one American and one Afghan on watch. American and Afghan forces live together on many of the smaller bases and outposts, and on some of these, the U.S. has instituted a 24-hour guard for barracks.
Joshua Foust is a fellow at the American Security Project, author of "Afghanistan Journal: Selections from Registan.net" and a former civilian cultural adviser for the U.S. Army. He said that while the shooting is horrific, it isn't surprising.
"Sunday's mass murder is not a new outrage for Afghanistan," Foust wrote in a column for CNN. "While the deliberate killing of civilians is (thankfully) rare, many Afghans do not distinguish between accidental and deliberate civilian death."
He added that the event is not game-changing and that many residents aren't surprised when the U.S. kills civilians.
What are the political ramifications? Does this change the U.S. mission in Afghanistan?
Most people agree that this incident will again strain ties between the Afghan government and the United States.
President Barack Obama on Tuesday called the killing of Afghan civilians, allegedly by a U.S. soldier, "outrageous" and "unacceptable," and said he is "heartbroken" over the incident.
"The United States takes this as seriously as if it was our own citizens and our own children who were murdered," Obama said in a statement to reporters at the White House. He said he directed the Pentagon to "spare no effort in conducting a full investigation" of what happened, and pledged that "we will follow the facts wherever they lead us."
But Afghan President Hamid Karzai has said this is unforgivable and an act of terror, in his words. He also expressed his condolences to the families of the Panjwai incident in Kandahar saying "the incident was cruel and an invasion that caused great pain for the people of Afghanistan."
The incident also calls into question the chances for stability as the U.S.-led military mission shifts security responsibility to Afghan forces in coming months. Combined with other recent events that sparked anger and distrust between the Afghan and U.S. governments, this shooting may make things even more difficult.
Analysts and U.S. officials said Monday they believe the transition under way - which seeks to end the American-led military mission in 2014 - will remain on track, though the process may be more difficult.
"There is still no better option, and the Afghans still aren't ready to handle their problems without us, and I think they know that," Michael O'Hanlon, a senior fellow at the nonpartisan Brookings Institution, said in an e-mail to CNN.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, reacted to Sunday's shooting by adding to calls for bringing U.S. troops home from Afghanistan as soon as possible, while Republican presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich said the entire Afghanistan mission needs to be reassessed.
The Obama administration insisted Monday that the civilian killings, while tragic and horrific, would not change the goals or timing of the U.S. strategy to defeat al Qaeda in Afghanistan and turn over security responsibility to Afghan forces.
"This is a challenging time, there's no question," White House press secretary Jay Carney told reporters Monday. "I do not believe that this incident will change the timetable of a strategy that was designed and is being implemented to allow for the withdrawal of U.S. forces."
So what now? Analysts say time to evaluate U.S. strategy in Afghanistan
Seth Jones, a senior political scientist at the nonpartisan Rand Corporation research organization, said the Sunday incident "certainly adds to tension between the U.S. and the Afghans, but I don't believe this is a tipping point."
Jones said news of the attack was sure to travel quickly throughout Afghanistan, spread by mullahs in mosques, word of mouth and radio.
The government will probably depict the incident as the latest of many atrocities by both sides, noting Taliban killings of civilians, while the Taliban will try to portray it as another example of U .S. aggression, Jones added.
Many analysts say the first step toward any progress is going to be taking a hard look at the policy in Afghanistan.
Foust says there is a larger problem with the U.S.-Afghan relations, saying "the U.S. is fighting one war while the insurgency is fighting a very different one."
"Put simply, the U.S. never put in place the strategic and political framework to make much headway in Afghanistan," he wrote. "Despite the renewed push for negotiations with the Taliban, there is no political strategy for the country. There is no end state for the war, either - right now, the plan is to draw down to about 20,000 troops or so - similar to troop levels in 2008 - and stay that way for the indefinite future. That's not a strategy, and it's not a plan."
Jeremi Suri, a Mack Brown Distinguished Chair for Leadership in Global Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin, wrote in a column for CNN that said the U.S. has a "self-defeating cycle in Afghanistan" and U.S. leaders have failed to set and pursue achievable objectives there. Until those are made, and carried out, Suri says, no real progress can be made and opportunities for increasing violence will remain.
"The American soldiers in Afghanistan are fighting a war against an elusive enemy amidst a population that is increasingly resistant to American demands for assistance," Suri wrote. "Afghan citizens know that the United States is planning to leave soon, and they sense that the Americans they meet care more about an "exit strategy" than the welfare of their society. Afghan intransigence furthers the frustration and resentment among American soldiers, fueling violent behavior directed at innocent civilians."
– CNN's Sara Sidner, Chris Lawrence and Pentagon Correspondent Barbara Starr contributed to this report.
© 2012 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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What this soldier did was horrific killing innocent children now his family back in Cali are in hiding war equals mental Illness and suicide.
He killed babies while they slept and burned the bodies for an extra bit of cruelty. He put the lives of his fellow troops in danger. He disgraced the country and the military. He needs to be put down.
It is a shame.The best that can be done is to hand over that rogue soldier to the Afghans who should try him.
Why would we give an american soldier over to a system that is not sound...is totally biased against him and reasonable doubt would not even be close to the reception he would get? Afghan is years away from a decent court system.
So will the American justice be free?Will there not be bias?Its all the same once you behave like a rogue you deserve to be tried under a rogue system.
This is so sad. Innocent children dying for nothing. The only thing this is going to do is put all the other soldiers at risk. When you think things are getting better something like this happens. Why come no one questioned this soldier as to why he was leaving his post? I'm sure all soldiers look out for one another, but this guy should not have been allowed to leave without someone asking him where in the hell he was going, especially since no offensive maneuvers were taking place at the time. This guy seemed as though he has some kind of issues and maybe should not even be there. I know war is hell and there are generally no rules, but never the kids. And soldiers, keep track of one another and look out for each other. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.
No excuse for what he did. It will never happen but he really sould be turned over to the local authorities to answer for what he did. If a foreign soldier commited those crimes in the US do you think we would release him to his government for prosecution?
Being in the military is no excuse and should not exempt him from trial where he commited these crimes.
Interesting how about we be able to try those individuals who executed our troop in a secure building don't think that will happen
we should have disarmed the entire country in 2002 after the main phase was over then anyone with a weapon is an enemy and treated as such
no matter have any of you ever seen your friends die in front of you the people responsible seem to be able to get away from you stupid rules govern how you can engage the enemy
I know been there done that and have severely been lied to about this war so get over it bring him home try him then depending on the condition hospital or jail
Ten years after 3,000 people were murdered in NY by domestic traitors in order to set into motion the “Project for a New American Century” and the phony “War on Terror”, innocent people continue to be killed and enormous resources wasted in one more megalomaniacal empire building project that like all of its predecessors, is destined to end up on the trash heap of history. Now the head puppet Barry Soetoro is warning against a so-called premature withdrawal from Afghanistan. Even if so-called Al Qaeda were the real reason for being there, this makes no sense because Al Qaeda could have already relocated years ago. The real reasons for staying are the same ones they were ten years ago – strategic control of resources, including pipelines to carry Caspian Basin oil. We also have the factor of the thousands of military contractor companies who have now become dependent on the cash flows from the death and destruction machine. If Barry were to try to end the party, they would all immediately be howling to their puppets in Congress that the gravy train must continue or else they will go bankrupt. Only exposing the false flag mass murder that is the cornerstone of this diabolical plan, can bring back rule of law to America and initiate a real economic and moral recovery.
You’re just another conspiracy theorist. 9/11 was not a result of domestic terrorists. To think so is so completely ignorant. While this soldier needs to fry for what he did, and I feel absolutely horrible for the families of those murdered by this DB, it is not indicative of what we stand for.
Not only his wife and kids, but 7 generations of his descendants from now on are marked for life. Better wish not to be born, that's what the bible says not me. Of course they don't believe in that, just live and take it as you go. That's how demons leave their mark for posterity. Super tragic people.
Not everyone believes in fairy tales, the world is full of god botherer's that's the problem.
If General Allen is in charge then he should also be held accountable.
I have been there, those people don't want us in their country. I have no sympathy for Afghans at all. I lost 12 of my friends on my last deployment. So does any one know what that guy has been going threw, if he has a wife or a kid that is back home? I was married threw my 1 year deployment, and had a new born. PTSD is not a joke like the military thinks it is. The President is a moron, and so are the ones who reported that guy. So much for unit cohesion!!
So you think that Afghan militants are in the very best of mental health??? They have seen Russian war, militancyand torture from a young age. No medications, no education, no food, brutal cold winter without proper clothing, 90% of afghans do not even know why we are there. Look at your double standards.
Unit cohesion? I'm glad that you are no longer in the military and I hope that you get some badly needed help.
Jon,
While I'm sorry about your loss of friends, you can hardly blame the Afghans for their response. You (and others) were sold a bill of goods that quite frankly wasn't true, that we could democratize them. Trying to impose an outside authority has NEVER worked in Afghanistan, just ask Pakistan, Iran, and Russia all of whom have tried to subjugate the Afghan people. There was a movie made in the 80s which give the typical response Americans would have if some outside force tried to impose its will upon us, Red Dawn. We would rise up and attack with whatever mean necessary to force the occupiers out (that includes terrorist tactics like car bombs and snipers); so why are you surprised that others would feel the same way if we invaded them? Quite frankly you inability to see this is disturbing, its as if you believe that no other nation has the right to self-determination without outside influence (or interference).
jonjenn I feel sorry for you. You were part of something that was wrong to begin with. You have no sympathy for them because you lost 12 friends... how many friends did they lose? If everyone could just put themselves in the other person's shoes, maybe these people in the military could overcome the mob mentality that causes most atrocities to begin with.
This Mess is only getting worse, time to leave.
There's a ton of emotion with this story...and each person who reads this story, has different emotions. That being said, we all need to remember that we live in the United States of America, a free country and for no reason at all, except by the thousands of military men and women who have provided it for us along with the Grace of God.
The thought of the killing's; those people, kids, women and men, literally makes me sick. The sadness for those families that lost their loved ones, heart breaking. The fear for what may happen to our law abiding, trained, focused military still there, oh it makes it hard to phathom. And the absolute wondering of what this man was thinking, or how clearly he was even able to think...and that's something that the majority of us reading these stories will never be able to comprehend!!! You see, it's not our place to judge, not our place to criticize, not our place to point fingers or place blame...our place is to pray!! Pray for peace and healing, for everyone involved. Prayers for the leaders of our Nation and for the NATO leaders. Pray for the leaders of Afghanistan. Pray for the man who carried out this horrendous act and for his healing. Pray for our sodiers and their families back home that are terrified each time their phone rings, especially right now!!! We all have a place...if we choose not to be a soldier and fight for our country, we must support them and we must do our parts here as they are across the world doing good and noble acts!!!
I believe with all my heart that I serve an Amazing Savior who hears every single prayer that is lifted up to Him, from all over this world....and we just have to be patient and faithful in his powers.
The problem is that the army is full of high school dropouts and uneducated young guys who couldn't find a job anywhere else. What do you expect of such soldiers? To discuss Faust and Othello when they are bored? This is what you will see of a typical uneducated, aimless creature.
@Liang Wow, you obviously don't know many Army personnel do you. First off, they do not except anyone anymore with out a highschool diploma or GED. As for finding a job elsewhere, lose your job and see how easy it is to find a new one now that pay's any kind of decent salary to support a family. Most can't. What they turn you away as "unfit" cause it looks like you have a lot of hate for the Army and possibly the military all together. Go crawl back into your basement and let the adults talk.
Liang
so when was the last time you went to a requiting office High school dropouts I DON'T THINK SO they cant pass the tests necessary to be in the service high school dropouts aren't in the military
so your old argueement wont hold up today
The members of our military are the brightest smartest and most motivated in history
How would you like to have done 4 – 8 deployments to combat heck you couldn't even do one
tell me what you have sacrificied for the War on Terror No I will tell you nothing your life hasn't changes one little bit
so you can just remain silent you haven't earned the right to complain about it
I know many people with phd's and master's degrees that are dumber than a box of rocks and could not tie their own shoelaces without a detailed diagram. If you were truly educated you would not have made such a ridiculous statement. I can tell you that I have disqualified many college grads when I worked as a USAF recruiter for 8 years for entry into the military. Something tells me that you might have been one of the educated misfits that I had to send home.
B.O. has failed to lead the country on his Afghan strategy. B.O. leads from behind once again. Anyone really believe B.O. is in it to win it or even believes a decent outcome is possible? Why did he invest so much blood and money in this venture if he cannot even get on TV and read from the teleprompter on why this is important to our country. B.O. was against the surge in Iraq...but for the surge in Afghanistan...kind of...Wrong on both. Different countries...Surge in Iraq was done under extreme political pressure(against it) but was needed and was successfull..Bush made his decision and carried out the plan and believed in it when only his generals and soldiers on the ground believed it. With B.O. we see something very dfferent. And it does not look like this will end well with B.O. in charge. Just like Iraq would not have ended well if B.O. was in charge and no surge occured.
Hunter,
Your comment shows your level of ignorance; we can't win in any of these theaters of conflict because there is no end goal for this conflict. This isn't Obama's fault, and the fact you blame him without a nod to his predecessor shows your political bias against Obama. While I agree that Obama has failed to provide any ending goals for this conflict, he has been able to get us out of Iraq and with some hope he'll get us out of Afghanistan. To be honest, after 9/11, I would have bomb every city (and poppy field) in Afghanistan until they turned over all the foreign fighters, which would be my ONLY goal (I would not put troops on the ground, just continuous bombing until they complied). I only hope that our government takes a learning experience from this and tries to avoid military adventurism; instead before using the military, set reasonable goals and then leverage the military to achieve them. BTW, democratization is NOT a reasonable goal for a military conflict, that is what diplomacy is for, after you have achieved your military goal(s).
It appears that the perpetrator had become mentally unsound - with probable justification and cause beyond his ability to correct. . If that is the case, then he is blameless while his superiors are the ones to blame.
If he IS unsound, then those who want to turn him over would commit the same sort of crime he did.
We should NOT be there !
We should get out - immediately ! ! ! . NOW, not 2014 - NOW ! ! !
I got one: How about: "We make killing machines out of these young men". Just a thought.
If you use that logic, then I sir am a killing machine and I GUARANTEE you, killing innocent civilians is not what I am trained to do. Of course we are trained to kill. One af MANY things we are trained to do.
Do not use the excuse "killing machine" for a nutcase like this.