The U.S. military announced that more than 19,000 "militants" have been killed since 2003. The government has sometimes been more specific in its announcements: for example, 300 Shiite militiamen or dozens of members of Al Qaeda.
But when the enemy is shot dead and wears no uniform, how does an American soldier know the identity of attacker? Salon pointed out in June 2007 that the administration was calling every one the U.S. killed in Iraq a member of Al Qaeda, and the media wasn't challenging the claims.
But when the enemy is shot dead and wears no uniform, how does an American soldier know the identity of attacker? Salon pointed out in June 2007 that the administration was calling every one the U.S. killed in Iraq a member of Al Qaeda, and the media wasn't challenging the claims.
Iraq Body Count