Haditha massacre: Two US marines implicated in killing family in notorious Iraq war shooting, expert tells BBC

Haditha massacre: Two US marines implicated in killing family in notorious Iraq war shooting, expert tells BBC

Nearly 20 years after one of the most widely discussed incidents of the Iraq War, new findings have resurfaced surrounding the tragic events in Haditha. A recent BBC Eye investigation has revealed evidence suggesting that two US Marines who were never brought to trial may have been directly involved in the deaths of an Iraqi family on 19 November 2005.

        A Survivor’s Memory That Never Fades

For Safa Younes, the memories of that day remain painfully vivid. Standing inside her childhood home in Haditha, she points to the bedroom where she hid with her mother, siblings, and aunt. Except for her, every member of her family was killed when US Marines entered their home.

Her father was shot when he opened the front door. Moments later, gunfire erupted inside the house, leaving Safa as the only surviving member of her immediate family.

“I was the only survivor out of my entire family,” she recalls. At the time of the incident, she was just 13 years old.

 The Haditha Massacre and the Original Investigation

The deaths of Safa’s family were part of what became known internationally as the Haditha massacre in which 24 Iraqi civilians including women and children, lost their lives. The killings occurred after a roadside bomb exploded, taking the life of a US Marine and injuring two others.

Initially, four Marines were charged with murder. However, conflicting testimonies, changing statements, and decisions to grant immunity to several individuals led to the charges gradually being dropped. Ultimately, only squad leader Staff Sergeant Frank Wuterich went to trial in 2012, facing a reduced charge unrelated to the direct killings.

Wuterich eventually entered a plea deal for negligent dereliction of duty. No Marine was convicted for the deaths of Safa’s family.

     Newly Unearthed Evidence Comes to Light

The new BBC investigation introduces fresh concerns regarding the original handling of the case. Much of the new information comes from statements, audio recordings, and testimony that had not been fully examined in court.

           Key Testimonies Re-Examined

Lance Corporal Humberto Mendoza, who admitted during a pre-trial hearing that he shot Safa’s father, also provided inconsistent accounts regarding his actions inside the home.

According to AOL Although he initially claimed he never entered the bedroom where Safa’s family was hiding, an audio recording from Wuterich’s trial captures Mendoza stating that he walked several feet into the room.

According to forensic expert Michael Maloney who investigated the scene in 2006 this detail is crucial. He believes the physical evidence strongly suggests that two Marines entered the bedroom and opened fire.

Maloney stated that Mendoza’s updated account places him exactly where Maloney believes the first shooter stood. “Mendoza confessed to everything except for pulling the trigger,” he said.

          Statements from a Second Marine

Another Marine, Lance Corporal Stephen Tatum also provided multiple statements about his role. While he acknowledged taking part in the operation, he initially said he did not realize women and children were in the room due to visibility issues.

However, later statements—captured by investigators and reviewed by the BBC—suggest he recognized them before firing. His defense team later argued these statements were made under pressure, and charges against him were eventually dismissed.

        Why the Case May Not Be Reopened

A spokesperson for the US Marine Corps said the military is committed to fair legal proceedings but noted that the investigation would only be reopened if substantial new evidence emerges that is both admissible and previously unexamined.

READ MORE ON HOW Several Dead After Bus Crashes Into Bus Stop in Central Stockholm

The lead prosecutor did not respond to requests for comment.

           A Survivor Still Waiting for Justice

According to BBC Now 33, Safa still lives in Haditha with her own children. She says she struggles to understand how no one has been held accountable for the deaths of her family members.

Upon viewing the video testimony of Mendoza, she said:

“He should have been imprisoned from the moment the incident happened.”

For her, the pain is still fresh.

“It’s as if it happened last year,” Safa says. “I want those who did this to be held accountable. It has been almost 20 years without justice. That is the real crime.”