Execution of wounded Iraqi - expect a brutal response in the absence of justice

ReutersAlertnet: Al Qaeda's wing in Iraq vowed on Friday to avenge the fatal shooting of a wounded unarmed Iraqi in a Falluja mosque by a U.S. Marine last year, after he was cleared by the Marine Corps, according to an Internet posting. "O nation of Islam, do not be surprised (by the ruling to clear the Marine) ... as they are crusaders and Jews who have declared war on Islam and Muslims," said a statement from Al Qaeda Organisation for Holy War in Iraq on an Islamist Web site.

"We are determined to avenge our brother and we shall not let off or rest until God's law rules the land," said the posting from the group, led by Jordanian militant Abu Musab al-Zarqawi. Its authenticity could not be verified.

After a five-month investigation, the Marine Corps said it determined that the Marine corporal fired in self-defence and would not face a court martial for the shooting in November, shown in blurry images on a widely aired videotape.

The Iraqi was one of five wounded left in the mosque after the Marines fought their way into the formerly rebel-held city of Falluja.

The group led by Zarqawi has claimed responsibility for a string of attacks against U.S. troops and the Iraqi government.

DB: When the US marine (see below) pulled his trigger to execute this wounded, unarmed Iraqi resistance fighter - inside a mosque - two things were easy for anyone to predict; the marine would 'get off' with it, but inevitably a price would be paid in blood - the blood of innocent Iraqis (who no doubt will get caught up in the revenge attack) and the blood of 'coalition' forces who played no part in the original crime. Why the US military cannot comprehend this basic law of cause and effect I do not understand. Maybe they do, but just don't care.