US Marine Corps Atrocity in Afghanistan

“U.S. Marines to probe alleged urination video

 (CBS News) 

The U.S. Marine Corps has vowed a full investigation into video posted online which purportedly shows Marines urinating on the dead bodies of Taliban militants in Afghanistan.

CBS News national security correspondent David Martin says if it turns out to be authentic, those involved could face court martial proceedings for violating U.S. military rules which specifically forbid "photographing or filming... human casualties" - regardless of whether the Americans were actually urinating.

"While we have not yet verified the origin or authenticity of this video, the actions portrayed are not consistent with our core values and are not indicative of the character of the Marines in our Corps," said the statement issued by the Marines. "This matter will be fully investigated."

The video was posted to YouTube by a user called "moviesoundtrackvideo" with the title "Marines urinating on dead soldiers Taliban," and while its authenticity has yet to be confirmed, Martin says the damage likely to be inflicted by the clip won't be curtailed quickly by the pledge of an investigation.

Special section: Afghanistan, 10 Years Later

Eight years ago in Iraq, U.S. soldiers at Abu Ghraib prison posed next to detainees in degrading positions. After the photos surfaced, some American troops were dishonorably discharged; others were sentenced to military prison.

The video also comes to light as Afghanistan's leaders ratchet up pressure on the U.S. to hand over control of security and law enforcement duties more quickly.

On Saturday, Afghan officials alleged that U.S. military personnel had abused prisoners at the main U.S.-run detention facility in the war-torn country, increasing their calls for the prison outside the Bagram Air Base to be turned over completely to domestic forces.

While the U.S.-led war in Afghanistan has left almost 2,000 Americans troops dead, manythousands more Afghan civilians have been killed in the violence during the last 10 years, and that bloodshed has led many Afghans to deeply resent the American presence. Support for the Taliban in some areas has actually increased according to anecdotal evidence in recent years.

Afghan citizens who spoke to the media Thursday reacted with predictable rage, showing that, as Martin predicted, the damage to America's image may already be done.

"We don't want them anymore on our soil, we don't like foreign soldiers to be on our soil," angry Kabul resident Feda Mohammed told the Reuters news agency. "They have to leave."

CBS News senior correspondent John Miller, who joins Martin to discuss the story on "CBS This Morning," says, however, that the video - while damaging to the overall U.S. strategy of making strong allies out of the Afghan leaders and forces - is unlikely to put U.S. troops in greater danger on the ground.

"The Taliban's mission is to kill us, so if they have the opportunity to do that, they'll take it. I don't think this incident changes that or makes it a catalyst in any way," says Miller. "This provides them with a new excuse to say how awful we are, but it doesn't put our troops in additional danger."

Another big question the scandal will raise in coming days is what effect it may have on the beginning of reconciliation talks between the Taliban and the U.S. government, which seem to be looming ever larger after the recent announcement of a new Taliban liaison office in Qatar.

Video: Afghan leader says U.S.-Taliban talks a good idea

While both the Taliban and the U.S. government insist no direct peace talks have yet taken place, the two sides are, by all accounts, moving in that direction.

Speaking to CBS News' Ahmad Mukhtar on the phone Thursday, Afghan Taliban spokesman Zabihulla Mujahid strongly condemned the video. He reiterated that talks with the Americans have not begun, but he said if they do, the video of the alleged desecration "will not harm" the dialogue.”