Damning.

This is coolbert:

IED = Improvised explosive device.

Forensics the battlefield. Fingerprints, gunshot residue, autopsy, stool sample.

"EXCLUSIVE - 65 Afghan terrorists were let into the U.S. after Biden's chaotic withdrawal: Prisoner freed by the Taliban and men who planted IEDs got through dire vetting processes"

From https://www.dailymail.co.uk | story WILLS ROBINSON FOR DAILYMAIL.COM | 13 August 2023.

* "Damning new book reveals more failures of the U.S. government in Afghanistan." * "Holes in the vetting process meant national security threats made it to the U.S." "* Taliban fighters identified by an interpreter almost boarded evacuation flights."

"vetting: noun - the act or process of appraising or checking a person or thing for suitability, accuracy, or validity"

"Militants who left fingerprints on IEDs meant to kill Americans in Afghanistan and a prisoner freed by the Taliban were among more than 65 terrorists allowed into the United States after the catastrophic withdrawal."

Comments:

* Taliban sophisticated enough to infiltrate operatives into the USA via the evacuation. Fingerprint analysis taken from battlefield debris tells so.

* About 20 % of those Taliban insurgents captured on the Afghan battlefield HAVING an American arrest record! Thanks again to fingerprints.

* Stool sample taken from Osama bin Laden in the immediate aftermath of his death. I imagine to confirm or deny intelligence that Osama had renal failure and was being treated for same.

See previous blog entries the topic battlefield forensics:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2013/10/fingerprints.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2015/06/forensics-mokhtar.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2008/09/csi.html

coolbert.

Flintlock.

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More Canada stuff!

Canadians military personnel in Africa? Canadians?

As jihadist attacks intensify in West Africa, troops train with Canadian soldiers.

"Flintlock, an annual counterterrorism training program for African forces, resumes with new urgency as Islamist militants target the deserts of the Sahel region"

www.theglobeandmail.com GEOFFREY YORK | AFRICA BUREAU CHIEF 

"Soldiers from Niger storm into a hotel building near Jacqueville, Ivory Coast, mentored by a member of Canada's Special Operations Forces who is visible at rear left."

"Under the watchful eye of a Canadian soldier, heavily armed troops from Niger storm into a three-story hotel and launch a room-by-room close-quarters operation to clear the terrorists who, in this drill, have seized the building."

"At a 400-metre shooting range nearby, another Canadian soldier briefs forces from Niger as they prepare to aim their sniper scopes at a series of targets. A third Canadian is monitoring a unit’s battlefield emergency-aid procedures."

NATO military personnel training the armed forces of the Sahel region [that area just south of the Sahara desert] normally a function of the French? 

West African jihadists among the many "hydra-headed" manifestations of Al Qaeda or the Islamic State.

NOW only if these Canadian military professionals if they are living on the economy reimbursed for their meals! PM Justin, expedite matters!

coolbert.

Precise.

This is coolbert:

Without a whole lot of elaboration or comment the obituary of Ayman al-Zawahiri. Long time # 2 man Al Qaeda. Second only to Osama bin Laden.

As reported by the New York Times the story by Joby Warrick August 1, 2022.

"Ayman al-Zawahiri, al-Qaeda leader, killed at 71"

"Ayman al-Zawahiri, an Egyptian-born terrorist leader, took over as head of al-Qaeda after the death of Osama bin Laden. Zawahiri was killed in a U.S. strike."

American drone strike Afghan!

"Americans knew him as al-Qaeda’s No. 2 leader, the bespectacled, bushy-bearded deputy to Osama bin Laden. But in reality, it was Ayman al-Zawahiri’s brains and blood-drenched hands that guided the world’s most notorious terrorist movement."

"Zawahiri, 71, was killed in a CIA drone strike in Kabul over the weekend, according to officials familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive intelligence. In an address to the nation, President Biden confirmed the death and called the attack a 'precision strike' that did not cause civilian casualties."

Hit and done in while sitting on a balcony Kabul. Weapon of choice a Hellfire missile in the "flying ginsu" mode.

Since 9/11 Al Qaeda because of casualties and the lack of leadership much less at the forefront of world terrorism. Affiliates and those drawing inspiration from still going strong however.

coolbert.

MH-60.

This is coolbert:

More on the Delta Force [?] raid that killed the Islamic State # 1 honcho Abu Ibrahim.

American forces having to destroy their own MH-60 helicopter. Chopper grounded and perhaps destroyed by an airstrike after valuable electronics removed!

Courtesy here the Internet web site "The Aviationist" STEFANO D'URSO and DAVID CENCIOTTI.

"U.S. MH-60M Helicopter Used In Raid To Kill ISIS Leader in Syria Blown Up On The Ground By U.S. Forces"

"What we know about the U.S. Special Forces raid on al-Qurayshi in Syria and the MH-60M helicopter destroyed on the ground because it was 'not going to be usable' for the return flight."

Further:

"Following the explosion, the Special Forces were engaged in a gunfight with a ISIS top lieutenant who lived on the second floor with his family. The explosion and gunfight contributed to the number of women and children among the 13 reported casualties, which official said were not due to U.S. weaponry. Several children were evacuated from the second floor, along with the other civilian family on the first floor that was successfully evacuated at the beginning of the raid."

Again, place the blame for civilian deaths on the bad guy who refused to surrender when facing overwhelming force. NOT Americans responsible and let it be known so.

coolbert.

Abu Ibrahim.

This is coolbert:

 "He was on our target list from the earliest days of the campaign. He was Baghdadi's right-hand man, and ... was personally responsible for some of the most vicious ISIS atrocities," 

Abu Ibrahim gone. Swims with the fishes. # 2 man in the Islamic State hierarchy and apparently # 1 since the death of Caliph Ibrahim [Al-Baghdadi].

"Inside U.S. raid on ISIS leader: Months of preparation, then a deadly blast"

Thatnks to Reuters and the story by Phil Stewart and Trevor Hunnicutt.

"WASHINGTON, Feb 3 (Reuters) - U.S. forces rehearsed the helicopter raid over and over, hoping to capture Islamic State's leader on the third floor of a residential building in a Syrian town on the Turkish border, where he was holed up with his family."

"But before they [American special forces] could reach him, Abu Ibrahim al-Hashemi al-Quraishi detonated a suicide bomb, triggering a large explosion that blew mangled bodies -- including his own -- out of the building into the streets outside."

His body, the body of his wives and children also now bits and pieces. Also some of his comrades and other civilians blow up by the detonation.

DON'T TRY TO BLAME THE DEATHS OF INNOCENTS ON THE  USA. ONLY ONE MAN TO BLAME AND THAT IS ABU IBRAHIM.

coolbert.

Allison.

This is coolbert:

The evening news USA today considered this to be a story of proportions beyond normal. And with good reason.

In many species the female is often the more dangerous?

American Islamic State adherent and much more than a mere operative so it seems.

Allison Elizabeth Fluke-Ekren, 42 years of age and an American schoolteacher.

"Kansas Woman Accused of Leading ISIS Battalion Ordered Held Without Bail"

From Epoch Times the story by Alice Giordano and Zachary Stieber.

"A Kansas woman who is accused of plotting terrorist attacks on American soil was ordered held without bail during a hearing on Monday."

“Fluke-Ekren is charged with providing and conspiring to provide material support or resources to a foreign terrorist organization. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Actual sentences for federal crimes are typically less than the maximum penalties."

Allison apparently much more than a run-of-the-mill operative. Better understood as an organizer and leader. Part and parcel of a terrorist organization hierarchy responsible for crimes against humanity.

"run-of-the-mill: Common, standard, or average; mediocre."

Read further of this Allison and her Islamic state adventure:

"Allison Fluke-Ekren: Overbrook, Kansas, Teacher Accused in ISIS Plot"

As far as I understand American law, this Allison cannot be tried for treason or sedition. Can be tried as apparently charged with only [?] "providing material support or resources" to a terrorist organization. She should be charged with crimes against humanity. Tried in a Nuremberg style court and given an appropriate punishment to include the death penalty if possible. Doubt it will happen but wish it would be so.

coolbert.

ASRAAM.

This is coolbert:

Courtesy the Aviationist. I am not sure if any of this is good or bad!

"RAF [British Royal Air Force] Typhoon's First Air-To-Air Kill: Terrorist Drone Shot Down In Syria"

"In what the UK Ministry of Defence called an 'unprecedented event', an RAF Typhoon conducted the type’s first ever operational air-to-air engagement in Syria on Dec. 14, 2021. The event marked also the first RAF air-to-air missile firing during Operation SHADER, the UK’s contribution to the military campaign against ISIL (Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant),"

"The kill was carried out using an Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missile (ASRAAM) that successfully hit and destroyed a small-sized drone."

Small-sized drone taken out by an air-to-air missile. Does the pilot get full credit for a kill? Or is it half a kill or one quarter?

And consider how cost effective is all this? Price of a single ASRAAM: "COST: $274,830 per missile".

Contrast with the of a small-sized commercially available drone: "Chinese Skywalker X8 drone . . . less than 200 US Dollars". [My assumption here is that this was a commercially available drone modified by the Islamic State weapons experts. Military grade small-sized drones can be very expensive.]

Consider also:

"US Gen. David Perkins made headlines last week when he announced that a US ally had used a $3 million Patriot missile to destroy a single small ISIS drone." [May 2017]

I guess as long as it saves the life of one troop it is OK?

coolbert.

Faslane.

This is coolbert:

Consider this the type of alarmist speculation that was quite common in the days after 9/11/2001. Incidents of an apocalyptic nature most worrisome to all and with good reason.

Mass casualty events as a result of weapons of mass destruction expected with loss of life far beyond that as what occurred in NYC that fateful day. A terrorist under every bed poised and ready strike at critical targets!

"Scotland: Taliban supporter renting farm near UK nuclear submarine base asked to leave | UK News"

"A Taliban supporter who rents land near a nuclear submarine base in the UK has been told by its Iranian owner to leave the site."

Persons their identity unknown and apparently behaving in a dubious manner their appearance near the naval base Faslane arousing suspicion. Faslane home port [?] to the British nuclear submarine fleet.

A Taliban supporter renting a farm less than five miles [eight kilometers] from Faslane? A farm as owned by an Iranian national now living in Canada? Too many coincidences all at once?

BRITISH 43 COMMANDO ALREADY ON THE SCENE AND MORE THAN WELL PREPARED TO DEFEND THE PORT FACILITY AND NUCLEAR ASSETS IF ATTACKED.

Historically terrorists very planful. Their plots while being hatched if discovered early normally aborted. 

This maybe much to do about nothing but never take a chance in such circumstances is the proper approach! Prudence not over-caution.

coolbert.

Number # 11.

This is coolbert:

As extracted from the South Asia Terrorism Portal and thanks to same the article by Ajit Kumar Singh.

Comments on American disaster in Afghan. Understand also an event of considerable interest to the government and security forces [SF] of India. Security Forces generally defined as the combination of military, paramilitary, and police.

"Ignominious Retreat"

From the # 11 Assessment:

Hardly can it be said the Afghan security forces allied with the American military did not fight and die. Consider the period: 2009 - (data till September 4, 2021).. 

"Further at least 68,713 Security Force (SF) personnel, including 4,813 in 2021 alone, have been killed during this period. The number of terrorists killed during this period stands at 115,909, including 19,776 in 2021 alone. The number of SF personnel killed in 2009 was 900 and that of terrorists at 4,610."

Elements of Al Qaeda in Afghan rather more active than I hardly want to believe.

"Al-Qaida is present in at least 15 Afghan provinces, primarily in the eastern, southern and south-eastern regions. Its weekly Thabat newsletter reports on its operations inside Afghanistan. Al-Qaida in the Indian Subcontinent (AQIS) operates under Taliban protection from Kandahar, Helmand and Nimruz Provinces."

Regarding AQIS:

"AQIS, is an Islamist militant organization which aims to fight the governments of Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Myanmar and Bangladesh"

Listen very closely and you might hear a long and satisfied chuckle from Osama himself? I hate to think so.

coolbert.

Incredulous.

This is coolbert:

For such a powerful and distinguished American Senator to have even suggested such a thing seems ridiculous to me. Preposterous even. But it seems to be so. 

From the Russian Internet media outlet Sputnik:

1. "US Troops 'Will Be Going Back Into Afghanistan': Lindsey Graham"

"Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has been ramping up calls to impeach US President Joe Biden over the hectic troop pullout from Afghanistan, insisting that the 'derelict' commander-in-chief had 'ignored sound advice' in relation to the withdrawal operation."

"Sen. Lindsay Graham (R-S.C.) believes that American troops will return to Afghanistan despite the chaotic military withdrawal from the country that was completed on 30 August."

Presumably the presence of American military forces in Afghan would to aid and enable the Taliban to defeat remnants of Islamic State Khorasan and Al Qaeda still present in Afghan.

Special operations [USA] combat elements guiding drone air strikes a possible??

Also see from the Internet web site Anti-War.

2. "Taliban Declare Do Not Want American Help in Fighting ISIS — Afghan Civilians Breathe a Sigh of Relief"

"Probably a lot safer for Afghan civilians this way"

Anti-War is referring to those drone strikes with Afghan civilians killed!

coolbert.

ISCAP.

This is coolbert:

As extracted from a Strategy Page Internet web site article the Mozambique situation in the nutshell [more than a nutshell if you read the entire article]. Thankis to Strategy Page and Andrew Mulholland

"Counter-Terrorism: Mozambique Matters"

"April 16, 2021: The Islamic terrorism problem has gotten worse, and is happening in a country where Moslems are a minority." 

20 % of the population Mozambique Muslim!

"Since the natural gas discoveries over a decade ago, Mozambique’s northernmost region, the Cabo Delgado area came to be called the Cinderella province because of the expected oil and natural gas bonanza." 

"The local anger at the new natural resource bonanza is a common phenomenon in Africa, where most nations with oil or natural gas or any valuable exportable raw material see most of the export income stolen by corrupt politicians."

POOR GOVERNANCE, AN INEPT AND INSUFFICIENT MILITARY VERSUS MOTIVATED JIHADISTS AND YOU THE RECIPE FOR DISASTER.

Devoted readers to the blog are encouraged to read the entire whole Strategy Page article. Mozambique not going away as a news item I fear both in the short and long term.

coolbert.

ADF.

This is coolbert:

“I call on all Muslims in the world to join us in Congo,” . . . “I swear by God this is the abode of [the] Islamic State.”

AND if it isn't now, it will be so shortly?

From the Wall Street Journal and the article by Benoit Faucon, Nicholas Bariyo and Joe Parkinson.

"Islamic State Seeks Revival in Christian Countries"

"Central African affiliates launch deadly assaults in Congo and Mozambique, as terror group latches onto local insurgencies"

"KAMPALA, Uganda—Islamic State was collapsing in Iraq and Syria, but from the jungles of Eastern Congo a jihadist appeared on YouTube to declare that the Caliphate was regrouping in Central Africa."

According to the precepts of Mao guerrilla warfare/insurrection central Africa the demographics not favoring the Caliphate II, Islamic State!

CAR = Central African Republic. DRC = Democratic Republic of the Congo. 
ROC = Republic of the Congo.

Percentages of the national population Muslim for central African nations as found at the CIA World Factbook:

* CAR  10 % Muslim  * DRC Congo  1.3 %  Muslim  * ROC Congo 1.6 % Muslim  * Gabon  10 % Muslim  * Cameroon  25 % Muslim  * Tanzania   35 %  * Kenya   11 % Muslim  * Zambia   < 3 %  Muslim  * Angola. 20 % Muslim  * Malawi  13 % Muslim  * Rwanda   2 % Muslim  * Uganda  14 % Muslim  * Mozambique 20 % Muslim.

And the thought of the Islamic insurgent central Africa with regard to demographics is what?

coolbert.

ASJW.

This is coolbert:

"WE CAN EXPECT MOZAMBIQUE AS THE SECOND ISLAMIC STATE CALIPHATE TO NOW BE A RALLYING POINT FOR WORLD-WIDE JIHAD AND INTERNATIONAL TERRORISM."

True? False? Etc. A rallying point? Caliphate II?

Thanks once more to the outstanding Internet web site War on the Rocks we have the analysis.

"FOREIGN FIGHTERS AND THE TRAJECTORY OF VIOLENCE IN NORTHERN MOZAMBIQUE"

Article by EMILIA COLUMBO AND AUSTIN C. DOCTOR.

FOREIGN FIGHTERS ASJW ALREADY A FACT. A FURTHER INFLUX OF RECRUITS FROM ALL PARTS OF AFRICA  AND EVEN FROM BEYOND AFRICA CAN FULLY BE EXPECTED?

From the article these paragraphs concentrate solely on the presence now and in the future of foreign fighters within the insurgency.

* "What We Know (and Do Not Know) About Foreign Fighters in ASWJ"

* "How Foreign Fighters Impact the Trajectory of Violence"

* "Foreign Fighters Complicate Regional and International Support"

* "Looking Ahead"

Mozambique just a few months not even on the map of world conflicts. Not anymore!

coolbert.

Setback.

This is coolbert:

From the Internet websites Daily Mail and South Front articles solely devoted to the Palma, Mozambique situation.

1. "Shocking photos of bodies strewn on the ground and desperate 'help' signs fashioned from sheets capture the horror of the ISIS Mozambique massacre that left one Brit dead"

Lots of embedded video well worth watching. Not for the squeamish however. 

Personally I prefer not to use ISIS or ISIL labels to describe the Mozambique insurgents. Islamic State alone perhaps more correct.

2. "MOZAMBIQUE’S CABO DELGADO HAS BEEN PLAGUED BY ISIS FOR YEARS"

National gas production projects worth $60 billion USD now in jeopardy. Expect an international and concerted response as a result? I wait with baited breath as they say.

Personal comments:

* Mozambique prior to Palma I had thought was a 3rd world nation very poor but showing promise.

* International agri-business concerns active and successful in Mozambique.

* Tourism and eco-tourism enterprises also becoming popular with foreign visitors.

* Enormous natural gas production projects I was not aware of.

Forget about it all now? Palma without question a serious setback to the  nation of Mozambique and the region.

coolbert.

Palma.

This is coolbert:

More Mozambique stuff. Sounds grim. "The purpose of terror is to terrorize!"

Thanks to the tip from the Coffee or Die webzine and the tweets by Eric Morier-Genoud.

Visual summary of the Palma attack #CaboDelgado #Mozambique by Eric Morier-Genoud @emorier From 12 hours ago:

@TheTimes  focused on expatriates.  https://thetimes.co.uk/article/one-briton-killed-in-islamist-attack-on-hotel-compound-in-mozambique-sznzmh875

Five days now! Click on image to see an expanded view. These jihadists their plans immaculate and flawless it seems. A lot of moxie.

See all the full and complete tweets. None of this sounds very good.

Also refer to the most recent blog entries the jihadists on the offensive and winning:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/03/moz-ii.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2021/03/moz-i.html

coolbert.

Green Beret.

This is coolbert:

The military of Mozambique failed. The Russian PMC Wagner Group failed. South African Dyck PMC currently engaged situation in doubt.

PMC = Private military contractor.

NOW, American Special Forces enter the fray? Training only as described. Hold your horses and hold onto you hat. Islamic insurgents [Al-Sunna wa Jama’a] Mozambique hitherto victorious. No longer?

"US Sends Special Forces to Mozambique"

"A dozen US Army Green Berets are training Mozambican marines"

Thanks to the Internet website Anti-War and the article by Dave DeCamp.

"US special forces have deployed to Mozambique to train local forces to battle an insurgency in the country’s north. A dozen US Army Green Berets started training Mozambican marines this week and will continue to train them over the next two months."

Al-Sunna wa Jama’a insurgents as previous mentioned hitherto invincible. Occupy a swath of Mozambique with purported large deposits of natural gas. Territory as now under the control of the insurgents will become another haven for international jihadi as was the Islamic State?

See previous blog entries the situation in Mozambique. We have not the last of that nation and area of the world. This is a developing story.

coolbert.

Hell.

This is coolbert:

Playground of the rich and famous now HELL! More info the Mozambique insurgency thanks to the British tabloid The Sun the article by Claudia Aoraha. Islamic jihadists prevailing.

"HELL IN PARADISE ISIS take over stunning islands where Daniel Craig and Bono holiday burning down luxury hotels and imposing Sharia Law"

"ISIS militants have taken over paradise islands in the Indian Ocean, burning down hotels and imposing Sharia Law."

Jihadi tactics scorched earth literally!! No-holds-barred obliteration of the profane.

"The ISIS insurgents have ordered residents to abandon the islands of Vamizi and Mecungo - where celebrities like Daniel Craig, Bono and Prince Albert of Monaco have holidayed in luxury."

SURELY THERE WILL BE NOW AN INTERNATIONAL REACTION! HARDLY CAN WE ALLOW THE RICH AND FAMOUS TO BE DENIED.

See previous blog entries the insurgency in Mozambique:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2020/08/ansar.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2020/07/wagner-pmc.html

coolbert.

Wagner PMC.

This is coolbert:

FADM = Mozambique Defence Armed Forces. IS = Islamic State.

"Why African governments still hire mercenaries"

"Professional gunmen are cheap, efficient and deniable"

"When president Filipe Nyusi wanted help last year to tackle a jihadist insurgency in northern Mozambique, various private military firms were keen to oblige. Mr Nyusi chose Russia’s Wagner Group, which vowed to make short work of the rebels. But after a bunch of its men were killed, it pulled out, humiliated."

ONLY VERY VAGUELY WAS I WAS AWARE OF THE CURRENT INSURGENCY AS ONGOING IN MOZAMBIQUE. ISLAMIC JIHADISTS APPARENTLY OF THE ISLAMIC STATE PERSUASION WAGING WAR AND APPARENTLY VERY SUCCESSFULLY.

Enter the Private Military Contractors [PMC] of the Russian Wagner Group at the behest of the Maputo central government. A venture now seen as unsuccessful.

From the distinguished military war correspondent Al J. Venter:

"A Dirty Little War in Mozambique.  May2020   Al J. Venter."

"Roughly 200 Russian private military contractors – backed by several Hind helicoptergunships as well as a number of Mi-171Sh aircraft (which have the same performance as the Mi-8MTV, but with more sophisticated systems fitted) – first started operating along the Tanzanian frontier, and only later moved into the interior of the Cabo Delgado province. Air and ground forces were designated to operate in close co-operation with the FADM. During initial ground and air strikes, the combined forces bombed insurgent bases in several areas, pushing them into the remote interior, but the insurgents retaliated by launching attacks on several government military bases and dozens on both sides were killed. Following the arrival of the Russians, IS quickly reinforced its units in Mozambique by rushing in ‘volunteers’ from other East African countries, notably Somalia; this soon led to an intensified series of guerrilla onslaughts"

"Following the Wagner Group’s losses in Mozambique (and failure to complete the anti-insurgency tasks it faced against a basic, ill-equipped guerrilla force) the word is out in Africa that the Russians are not quite the formidable combat force they like to promulgate"

ABSOLUTE AIR SUPREMACY NEVER A GUARANTEE OF SUCCESS AND NEVER WILL BE. RUSSIANS BRAWN BUT NO BRAINS?

coolbert.

Karma.

This is coolbert:

More combat drone stuff. Thanks to the tip once more from MiMI and the story as seen at the English tabloid Sun. 100 % success rate not guaranteed!

"JIHADI KARMA – How an ISIS fighter was killed by his own drone bomb"

"Karma means action, work or deed . . . cause and effect where intent and actions of an individual influence the future of that individual". What goes around comes around literally so in this case.

"AN ISIS terrorist blew himself up when the drone bomb he was operating ran low on battery — and flew back."

Mosul, Iraq. I thought the battle of Mosul was over two years ago. Evidently sporadic attacks by the Islamic State fighter still occurring. Of the combat drone variety.

Return to sender. See previous blog entries most recent use of combat drone:

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2019/08/zap.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2019/08/beirut.html

https://militaryanalysis.blogspot.com/2019/08/brigade-45.html

coolbert.

Gallagher.

This is coolbert:

"Investigators previously have alleged that, while a teen[age] ISIS fighter was receiving medical treatment from SEAL medics, Gallagher walked up and stabbed him in his neck and side with a knife, killing the terrorist. Then, they said, he posed for photographs with the fighter’s body, holding his head in one hand and his blade in the other."

The Perry Mason, Raymond Burr moment.

Navy SEAL on trial for a war crime with surprising testimony.

Thanks to the tip from Levy.

"Medic testifies that he, not Navy SEAL Eddie Gallagher, was responsible for ISIS fighter's death"

The article by Greg Norman, Dan Gallo | Fox News

"A medic testifying in the trial of Navy SEAL Edward Gallagher – who is accused of killing an injured ISIS prisoner of war in Iraq – shocked trial observers when he testified Thursday that he, not Gallagher, was responsible for the Islamic militant's death."

"Special Operator 1st Class Corey Scott, a SEAL Team Seven medic, revealed during cross-examination in the courtroom at Naval Base San Diego that he killed the fighter by asphyxiation. Scott testified that he saw Gallagher stab the fighter, but then he himself held his thumb over a breathing tube that had been inserted into the militant's mouth."

Raymond Burr in the television series "Perry Mason" playing  the role of the clever defense attorney who gain acquittal of his client with the surprising testimony from an unexpected source.

Gallagher his distinguished military and combat record I well might imagine now forever sullied, guilty or not guilty.

P.S. Sticking a knife in wounded captive of itself is a serious charge. The use of lethal force when not warranted.

coolbert.