In the television documentary, eyewitnesses inside Fallujah during the bombardment in November last year described the terror and agony suffered by victims of the shells . Two former American soldiers who fought at Fallujah told how they had been ordered to prepare for the use of the weapons. The film and still photographs posted on the website of the channel that made the film – rainews24.it – show the strange corpses found after the city’s destruction, many with their skin apparently melted or caramelised so their features were indistinguishable. Mr Ranucci said he had seen photographs of “more than 100″ of what he described as “anomalous corpses” in the city. source: UK Independent

Richard:

Thank you for your comment to my post. I appreciate that you read it and also that you ask for credible sources for my claim that the U.S. forces used chemical weapons in the Battle of Fallujah.

I am interested in your book and its findings, as I think that the timing and conduct of this battle is of particular interest, and had wished it was covered more in the days of the massive incursion just days after the U.S. election.

I believe that the U.S. invasion of Iraq was an illegal war of aggression that violated international law. There should have been no risk to civilians because the war should not have happened.

Below are some sources that have led me to my conclusion about the extent of the civilian deaths and also the use of chemical weapons by U.S. forces in Iraq, and in Fallujah specifically.

You may rightly question if these sources are sufficient for my claim, but given the history of warfare in the past 50 years, I am inclined to error on the side that chemical weapons were used, and that children were likely victims. I place the burden of proof on the U.S. government, given that it was an illegal invading and occupying force. Journalists, human rights observers and medical personnel should have been provided full and unhindered access in order to document that the U.S. did not violate additional human rights in the conduct of the battle.

Absent this evidence, and given that the weapons were in fact used during the battle, I am inclined to strongly suspect that children were burned alive by chemical weapons in Fallujah.

That there were children and other civilians in the cross fire of the war is not disputed. That the the U.S. used chemical weapons is not disputed. That children were likely victims of this deadly combination could be disputed, but again, I place the burden of proof on the U.S. since the stakes are so high, the war was illegal, and the burden in such instances should always be placed on those forces capable of such action. The most powerful amongst us should be held to the highest standard, especially in a democracy that is supposed to be held to account by its electorate.

U.S. Admits that White Phosphorus was Used as a Weapon, Despite Earlier Claims to the Contrary
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/4440664.stm

U.S. Has Admitted that White Phosphorus is a “Chemical Weapon”, Despite Later Claims to the Contrary
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-intelligence-classified-white-phosphorus-as-chemical-weapon-516523.html

Others Share My Conclusion, Chemical Weapons Were Used by U.S. Forces
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-how-to-make-a-swift-exit-from-iraq-421603.html

Please provide a credible source for your outlandish claim.” To all reading this blog – the author will not provide a reference, because he has invented this slanderous lie. No children were burned alive in Fallujah and no chemical weapons were used. I have spent the last three years researching the battles of Fallujah for my next book which will be published in May and I can assure you that the author is smoking something.

Don’t believe me at face value either, research for yourself.