WikiLeaks ‘Collateral Murder’ Video Leak

On July 31, 2010, WikiLeaks published a controversial video titled “Collateral Murder” on its website. This video was recorded on July 12, 2007, in Baghdad, Iraq, by the gunsight of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter. It depicted a U.S. military operation where the Apache crew opened fire on a group of men, resulting in several deaths. Among those killed were two Reuters journalists, Namir Noor-Eldeen and Saeed Chmagh.

Background and Context

• The incident occurred in the neighborhood of New Baghdad, at the height of the Iraq War.
• Reuters had been attempting to obtain the video through the Freedom of Information Act without success before it was leaked.
• WikiLeaks, led by Julian Assange, published the footage in an effort to highlight what they alleged was the indiscriminate nature of such military engagements.

Contents of the Video

• The video displays the Apache helicopter engaging a group of men they believe are armed insurgents. The U.S. military later stated they were equipped with an RPG and AK-47 rifles, although this has been a point of contention.
• Noor-Eldeen and Chmagh can be seen in the footage amongst the group, both of whom were unarmed journalistic personnel.

Aftermath

• The release of the video sparked widespread debate over the U.S. military’s conduct during the Iraq War, raising questions about rules of engagement and the treatment of journalists in conflict zones.
• The U.S. Department of Defense faced significant scrutiny but defended the actions of the forces, maintaining that the engagement complied with the laws of armed conflict and rules of engagement.
• This incident emphasized the role of WikiLeaks in releasing classified information and fueled discussions about transparency, the ethics of leaks, and whistleblowing, particularly concerning military operations.

Broader Significance

• The release of “Collateral Murder” by WikiLeaks contributed to a broader discourse on the moral implications of modern warfare and the public’s right to be informed about military actions carried out in their name.
• It marked one of the first major leaks that thrust WikiLeaks into the international spotlight, setting the stage for subsequent high-profile disclosures of classified information.

The publication of this video has become a significant marker in discussions about military transparency, freedom of the press, and the responsibilities of both the media and government in conflict reporting.