This is the room where my whole family was killed, says Safa Younes, recalling the tragic event that unfolded in her home in Haditha on November 19, 2005.
Evidence and statements from a recent BBC investigation have surfaced, casting doubt on the initial investigation into the killings of her family, which were part of the larger Haditha massacre where 24 unarmed civilians lost their lives.
On that day, Safa, then a 13-year-old girl, watched in horror as US Marines burst into her home, opening fire without provocation. We hadn't been accused of anything. We didn't even have any weapons in the house, she reminisces. Her father was shot dead upon answering the door, while she and her siblings were forced into a back bedroom, where two marines reportedly shot and killed her entire family while she pretended to be dead.
The investigation indicates that despite initial charges against four marines, including Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich, only he faced trial and ultimately received minimal punishment, leading to accusations of a failed justice system. Forensic expert Michael Maloney provides insights indicating that conflicting testimony could point to the two Marines involved, thereby questioning the integrity of military investigations regarding civilian casualties.
Safa's story, now two decades later, illuminates the painful absence of accountability, as she continues to seek justice amidst the backdrop of ongoing impunity for military personnel involved in such incidents.
As she navigates life as a mother of three, the memories of her family's tragic fate remain vivid: I want those who did this to be held accountable and to be punished by the law. It's been almost 20 years without them being tried. That's the real crime.
