The Sgrena Hit : How They Did It, and Why

The Sgrena Hit:
How They Did It, and Why



Evidence of a Precision Ambush

by Fintan Dunne, Editor
BreakForNews.com March 9th, 2005
http://wagnews.blogspot.com/2005/03/sgrena-hit-how-they-did-it-and-why.html

By combining photo evidence and eyewitness accounts of the Baghdad airport shooting in which Sgrena Guiliani was wounded and Nicola Calipari killed, a compelling picture of a precision ambush emerges.

This analysis is sharpened by also considering the operational constraints upon any planned assassination of the troublesome Italian reporter. Such a killing would have to be palusibly deniable as a "mishap" and would have to avoid the slaughter of three intelligence agents in the vehicle.

That partly explains why Sgrena is still alive. A full-on salvo for a heavy calibre weapon would have left nobody alive in the vehicle. But, while slaying a political journalist is one thing -murdering three intelligence officers of a friendly nation in the process was never going to be an option.

(snip)


The optimum kill zone was the immediate area of the airport -under direct US control. That's a given. The optimum location is where road speed is minimized: just before or after a turn. No surprise then, that it was just after the car rounded a 90 degree turn in a single lane road at the airport, that the occupants came opon a US armoured vehicle:

"They passed two American checkpoints along the airport road without incident and were 700 metres or so from the airport building. The road narrowed to a single, one-way lane and took a 90-degree turn. The car was going slowly now... They found their progress baulked by an American tank."

A moving target shot is out of the question, so a way was found to bring the vehicle to a halt --and ensure it kept stationary in the kill zone. Blocking the road with another vehicle, then shooting out the front tyres the moment the car slows are the tried and trusted means of halting and holding a car.

If the driver is known to be Iraqi, then there is little downside to using the other aspect of full immobilization procedure: take out the driver as well.

That's three marksmen at a minimum. One in front to take care of the driver and possibly have sight of the target in the rear. Two more marksmen, positioned one either side of the car just slightly ahead. They could take care of the tyres and then switch to the interior for the target shot.

(snip)

As to those manning the patrol and the armored vehicle, they just did as they were instructed. "Block the road on receipt of the signal. Begin firing as soon as the car slows . Fire high at all times. Do NOT fire at the vehicle. After fifteen seconds approach the vehicle and mop up."

(snip)

The photos of the car taken from Italian television confirm the foregoing analysis. We have one photo taken from the front and a number from one side.

The driver's side tyre has clearly been shot out from the side. It has been pierced in the sidewall by a single shot. Nervous GI's in Iraq do not fire single shots at tyres. They fire fusilades.



The same observation can be made about the overall lack of bullet damage to the car bodywork.



Instead of a general peppering, we see a few precise individual shots. Two bullet holes in the front windscreen are low down and ahead of the driver. A third bullet hole is visible in the driver's side rear passenger window -high up. This was one of the head shots.

The other side of the car probably has an interesting tale to tell also, as any unfettered Italian forensics examination will in due course show.

This damage to the car is consistent with a precision ambush. It is inconsistent with a typical US military attack on a vehicle perceived to be a threat - no matter how many rounds were fired.

That's the 'How' of the Sgrena hit.
In Part II here shortly, we examine the inexorable reasons 'Why'.

FULL STORY & PICS AT:
http://wagnews.blogspot.com/2005/03/sgrena-hit-how-they-did-it-and-why.html
Stay tuned to:
http://www.Wagnews.blogspot.com
http://www.BreakForNews.com

See our related investigations:

* Right-Wing Bloggers' Fake Sgrena Car Photo
* Americans Knew in Advance to Arrange Ambush
* Giuliana Sgrena : Means, Motive and Murder
* US attack on Sgrena was deliberate says companion
* Reporter survives likely assassination bid by US Special Forces

said she was scooping up handfuls of bullets?

what was it? Safety glass maybe?

that rounds would have been shot above the car...

Then they had a marksman for the shots they reallly wanted.

so many rounds.
Possible they aimed at her but hit the agent when he tried to shield her?

That would make sense. He could have moved at the last second.

The author imagined the scene with bullets being fired high, not into the car (300 to 400 rounds?) to cover the sound of sniper bullets. And, did she scoop up shells outside the car? Or inside? The author puts forth a very plausible scenario.

I think the death squads could have killed her if they wanted to.

Why not kill? I thought they were targeting journalist and had killed like ten of them intentionally.

So she said that she won't be back. Maybe she wouldn't have anyway - what with being kidnapped - but this would seal it. Esp. if she felt targeted.

And maybe they had a reason for killing the intelligence guy.

that anyone who goes to Iraq now will be going on their own and the government will not step in should they be kidnapped.

Remember, they needed this to look like an accident. The attackers saw her go down. After the initial attack, they couldn't really mop up the survivors with pistol shots to the head. By that time, witnesses were watching.

First I've heard of any 'witnesses'...

..on the side of the road. This "squad" would have been the only personel "in the loop". There were other military units (tank blocking the road) in the area as well as personel at the airport. They would have been able to either directly observe or (if in the airport) hear gunfire that occurred after the initial fusilade.

Face it, once they approached the car, the jig was up. They couldn't open fire all over again and then claim it was another mistake.

Let me get another ream of paper, so I can add cast members to this bizzare, farcical scenario...

From their account they were hit from a light from the side, and the fire came from the side.

You really should read the accounts published in the Italian Media.

Keep up!! It is not our job to carry you.

Let's see, a car is coming toward you, and since you don't want to hit it head-on, you wind up in a position lateral to it. Man, that's certainly suspicious!

Don't confuse my skepticism of complete bullshit theories with not 'keeping up'.

:tinfoilhat:

"Even though the interior light was reported to have been on, target aquisition inside a vehicle must take at least three seconds plus one second to shift aim from the tyres. But after four seconds, the rear occupants may be already moving --so the head shot on Sgrena was likely intercepted by Calipari's cranium.

The marksman must have known at that moment there was a 50-50 chance he had taken out the team leader in the back seat. Who knows how he responded. But in any event Calipari had slumped against Sgrena and rendered further clear shots unlikely."



That is their explanation.

dead reporters don't ask pesky questions.

and the most thorough as far as the curve and the set-up situation.

now that I read this, the whole thing stinks more than ever. Blowing this hit was a big mistake. The Italian press is not the bunch of lapdogs we have here.

like some of us think they may have wanted it to - it would still look like an ambush/sniper hit (when the details are available). It's not like people would have gone along with it any more than they are this. (They may have thought they would keep everything hidden - and hell they probably will from The American Public).

I think it's a matter of Negroponte - that he thinks that he can do whatever he wants essentially out in the open with no repercussions. Worse even, than what we had going before.

get out of Iraq! Make the U.S. pay for this murder and cover up.

This is such an amazing story, and it answers a lot of my quesitons. I just have a couple of comments:

a) Notice how quickly the Italians were able to piece together the story. The car was ambushed last Friday evening. This is Thursday. Less than a week. In the meantime, the US has claimed "an investigation will take 2 or 3 weeks". To do what? Cover up and lie, of course.

b) Now, with this news coming out, I'd like to see Berlusconi CONTINUE to participate in this charade in Iraq. He must know the truth of this occupation. I don't see how he can continue at this point.

There's money, influence and/or black mail under the table being applied to one each, Berlusconi. You bet, he's already trying to emphasize the America would NOT intentionally harm Italians. Plus, "You're on your own from now on." Berlusconi has a *very strong* hidden motivation/agenda playing here.

The only question we should be asking is, "Do the Italian people have enough leverage for FORCE Berlusconi to pull Italian troops out of Iraq? Let's hope and pray for the power of the Italian populace? ;)

And why is that, precisely? Anyone with the wherewithal to plan such and elaborate 'assasination' scenario would surely also have the resources available to employ a decent sniper capable of hitting a moving vehicle.

:eyes::tinfoilhat:

The odds are better with a sitting duck.

The assination team thought they hit everyone. It would be hard to actually include American troops in the hit and keep them quiet.

This thing is going to have a cast of thousands, before it's finished...

:eyes:

Saw it today on DU.

see link: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1299174

How silly of me to have even dared question the statement...

:eyes:

But some people don't really want to know, apparently.

I'm waiting with baited breath for the link, so that I can see this incontrovertible proof all for my little self!

link: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050...

Document Not Found
The document you requested is not found. It may have expired.

Try these links:

* Yahoo! News home page
* Yahoo! home page

If you still have problems, please visit our Help section.

... nowhere does the article say that the patrol was 'Negoponte's former bodyguards'. Am I misreading it, perhaps? If not, then the article does not serve to support the proposition for which it was cited and to which I objected.

"extra security provided by the U.S. Army to protect U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte,"

I think "bodyguard" was in the title of one of the articles. They may have changed it.


Article was: AP: Sgrena's Shooters Were Negroponte Bodyguards

The Yahoo artcle does not support that statement.

Corporate media is so accurate and forthcoming. Who knows who they were?

My apologies if this upset you.

The Army saying "We have a VIP coming in, so we need extra security on the airport road" does not instantly transform the squad seleced into an 'ambush squad' whose purpose is to assasinate Sgrena. Do you not see the incredible leap of logic that that requires?

Whatever the truth is we will not hear it.

Soldiers are trained to a.) kill with weapons, and b.) tear things up. That's what happened. There is no credible evidence whatsoever that this was anything other than a tragic clusterfuck that is no less sad for the fact that it is far too mundane...

Denial is not just a river in Egypt

how can you be so convinced it was "a tragic clusterfuck" behind a keyboard thousands of miles away?

"There is no credible evidence whatsoever"

there is more evidence everyday that we are lying. people who lie often have something to hide. there is no way we can tell so far what happened and you only come off as a closed minded fanatic screaming your truth at everyone else.

we have the means, motive, opportunity and history to certainly consider this a possibility.

do you know we are raping, torturing and murdering iraqis all over iraq, even CHILDREN in front of their parent's for christ's sake.

your whole argument rest in faith that is certainly not earned up to this point.

peace

Have you already given up? Damn, if Officials caught Negroponte himself with a smoking gun in his hand, there would be a viable explanation as to why? We can NOT impeach this Executive Branch now, but instead, gather information for their future indictments. Unfortunately this Administration is gifted at destroying and/or covering up evidence. Therefore one must follow all available leads.

One of the articles called them Negroponte's bodyguards.

So whether it is new Negroponte security detail that makes hits on journalists or whomever or whether any of them are old Negroponte bodyguards doing the same thing... so what?

if you think I was doing anything other than providing you with the link you were unable to find.

yeesh!

That means my reading comprehension is just fine.

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

I'm simply weary of these total bullshit, cast-of-thousands-required 'theories' and the complete lack of anything resembling substantive proof to back them up. When you read stuff like the O/P, do you actually NOT wonder why the freepers refer to us Dems as 'barking moonbats'???

The scenario posted above could have been accomplished with three insiders.

The main problem here is that the Official US Story is impossible. It is appropriate to speculate on other scenarios that will account for ALL OF THE FACTS.

Asking questions and offering theories does not make one a "barking moonbat".

Asking questions and offering theories that account for ALL OF THE FACTS IS a sign of intelligence.

The freepers may think (or not) what they like. It will be a SORRY DAY when DU alters its content based on what the Freepers may think.

I am not insisting that the above is TRUTH. It does seem to fit, and I wouldn't put hit squads out of the question, especially when Negroponte's name pops up.

If you still buy the Governments' Coverstory, well great for you. Every society has its blind followers , so I guess they serve some purpose. I prefer to Question Authority, and when their story stinks (like this one), I will be looking for alternatives.

Cheers.

I think you're right about the theory of a hit on Sgrena as being...let's say, "improbable" at best.

OTOH, I couldn't give less of a shit about what the freepers say. I've read their forum enough to know that the namecallers are generally out of their fucking minds. What they say about DU is inconsequential.

about anything.
I keep an open mind and don't mind reading different theories because that's what they are, theories. I also try not to criticize others because they do not see things the same way I do. Frankly I find it offensive.

peace

The link worked for me.


Troops in Shooting Were for Negroponte


 Middle East - AP

By PATRICK QUINN, Associated Press Writer

BAGHDAD, Iraq - U.S. troops who mistakenly killed an Italian intelligence agent last week on the road to Baghdad's airport were part of extra security provided by the U.S. Army to protect U.S. Ambassador John Negroponte, a U.S. official said Thursday.

Italian intelligence agent Nicola Calipari was killed March 4 when U.S. troops opened fire on a car carrying him and Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena, who had just been freed from insurgents.

"The mobile patrol was there to enhance security because Ambassador Negroponte was expected through," U.S. Embassy spokesman Robert Callahan said, confirming reports in Italian media. The newspaper La Repubblica reported Wednesday that the checkpoint had been "set up to protect the passage of Ambassador Negroponte."

It was not known if Negroponte, who was nominated last month by President Bush (news - web sites) to be the new director of national intelligence, had already passed through the checkpoint.

The shooting took place about 8:55 p.m., about two hours before Baghdad's 11 p.m. curfew. No civilian cars are allowed on Baghdad's streets after curfew....

It was there about an hour ago.

Link: http://start.earthlink.net/article/int?guid=20050310/422fd450_3ca6_15526200503101366204086


It makes you wonder?

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=567830

"Troops in Shooting were for Negroponte"

The Army has acknowledged the checkpoint was temporary but has provided no details about why it was set up.

The day after the March 4 shooting, a spokesman for the 3rd Infantry Division in Baghdad, U.S. Lt. Col. Clifford Kent, said the checkpoint where the shooting occurred had been set up temporarily and wasn't permanent.

Asked at the time about how easy it would be to see American troops at such a checkpoint at night, he said: "Depending on where it is, that could be difficult. But if you're seeing soldiers in military uniform with military equipment, if you know it's a dangerous area, then … you need to maintain your awareness."

Obviously, the Italians knew nothing about security or the military.

interview indicating she has information about the attack on Falluja that would shed an extremely negative light on what went on there in terms of the use of illegal weapons such as napalm and depleted uranium. Did you read her account of the shooting and her trepidation leading up to it 'La Mia Verita' She knew that her release meant the possibility of assasination at the hands of the Americans, the agent even warned her about it when she was told she was going to be freed.

Is it really so far fetched to think that there is more to the story than this administration wants us to know or is willing to share with the world? After all, they've never lied about anything else before.

The close proximity of 'Necroponte' really goes a long way to convince me that this couldn't have possibly been a hit on Juliana Segreda / not.

I think the original poster's observations are well within the realm of possibility, in fact they make a lot of sense. The only thing I wonder about is whether or not the agent was the intended target after all and not the reporter. Or they both were, and she just got lucky.

is NOT the idea here. "

-From the article




What I think is funny is that it does not seem like it can be hidden - that this was a planned ambush with snipers. Seems like they could have been sneakier. What that says to me is that they don't think they have to. Impunity and all that.

pretty compelling

I don't understand a couple of things. What would the motive be? I seriously doubt anyone cares a hoot about some jornalist. Second, I can't see here picking up any bullets or cases. Bullets would have gone through the car or embedded in it. The shell casings would be at the feet of the soldiers/assasination squad who were firing.

The link will take you to the most current article "My Truth" -- as well as to links for the titles posted. Whether or not we believe her story, she had a lot to say about the way the war has been going....

il manifesto
http://www.ilmanifesto.it/pag/sgrena/en/

Florence and the others
GIULIANA SGRENA
il manifesto 14 January 2005

Ten thousand Iraqis in US and British prisons
GIULIANA SGRENA
il manifesto 29 December 2004

Two thousand victims in Fallujah
Giuliana Sgrena, Iraq
il manifesto 26 November 2004

Napalm Raid on Falluja?
GIULIANA SGRENA
il manifesto 23 November 2004

The death throes of Fallujah
Giuliana Sgrena
ilmanifesto 13 November 2004

“Stop the massacre”
GIULIANA SGRENA
il manifesto 12 November 2004

Bombs and tanks, hell breaks in Falluja
GIULIANA SGRENA
il manifesto 09 November 2004

Interview with an Iraki woman tortured at Abu Graib.
Giuliana Sgrena, our correspondent in Baghdad
il manifesto 01 July 2004

“Imminent attack” against Falluja
GIULIANA SGRENA
il manifesto 06 November 2004

Flight from a Falluja massacred by bombs
GIULIANA SGRENA
il manifestp 21 October 2004

UN: US crimes in Iraq
GIULIANA SGRENA
il manifesto 05 June 2004

just yesterday or so, we finally admitted to using Napalm in Baghdad -- she wrote of its use in Fallujah. The use there has been discounted, but knowing now, admitting now after a firm denial from the Pentagon, that it was used in Baghdad makes the denials of the use in Fallujah not credible. Actually that is a pretty big deal with the Nam generation if they ever hear about it.
On another forum, my right wing participators are posting things from right wing news about what a commie she was -- that she was anti-American, and pro-Iraqi. Then there is the whole ransom thing --I also am wondering if her paper is the same paper which originally got the leak in the Niger yellowcake fraud documents scandal -- does anyone know? Was this sending a message?

would also be a very strong message to all the other journalists that might have the temerity to buck them in the future. Maybe that would be an even stronger case for an ambush, against an 'outsider' unembedded journalist?

-- I still think it could be a f-up, especially with a temporary check point -- could it be that the temp slipped through the communication links because it was not usually there? Like -- X knows, Y knows -- shit we forgot we have a Z -- did anyone communicate with Z? A temp check point might not have "seasoned" soldiers "manning" it -- they could be jumpier because they are not used to the mission. I'm just taking it all in, but still withholding judgment. The track record isn't good, but wars are fraught with opportunity for mistakes -- that's why SNAFU originated in the military.

government for it's military's use of Agent Orange against the people of Vietnam was dismissed. Now we have a reporter willing to report that some of the same banned weapons were used in Falluja. Journalists reporting real news, not imbedded American corporate news are targetted in Iraq. It is not farfetched. 'Necroponte' is doing what he does best, ordering hits on people who are inconvenient.

That's an interesting question. Was it the same paper that reported about the Niger documents?

we refused to.

makes a pretty convincing case for this being a targeted hit, which I strongly suspected from the first. The report that the shooters were special security guards for Negroponte is here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1299174

Claiming that the car from the shooting has been "lost" is a damning admission, as it is so obviously to prevent forensic examination. Is there any update on whether the car may be "found"? There needs to be pressure applied on this stonewalling lie.

It already looked like a hit, and with this new evidence of the bullethole locations, and with Mr. Death Squad's own special security detail fingered as the shooters, it's hard to imagine anything else it could be.

Probably that's because it's a no-text message, but somehow it seems sadly appropriate in this case.

I shouldn't be shocked any more by each new wave of horrible crimes sponsored by the usurping fascist Cartel, but I am. The horror of this, and what it shouts to the rest of the world without being heard by most of our own citizens, breaks my heart.

One of the regular posters at DU, RaulVB (I think I have the username about right, but it wasn't in the Profiles list just now) explained once that he is from Chile, where he survived Pinochet. I can't begin to imagine the trauma and loss that simple statement encompasses. He said it is a nightmare to be seeing the same things happening all over again in this country.

Sometimes it's so hard to keep a positive attitude about the possibility of change, that the criminals can be displaced and the country healed. One of the things I turn my mind to when the darkness closes in is the way that RaulVB endured even worse and never lost his passion to make things better. He's no longer in his native country, but he has never slipped into cynicism about the human spirit and hope for the future.

Peace.

....the "Peace" is missing in that message because I wasn't sure I could write it and mean it.

I've thought about it, and your comments, and the implications of the type of action that those very few hits on that vehicle mean, and have decided that no matter how angry I become, the response must be focused on "peaceful legal action" and not matching violence with even more violence.

We must peacefully and legally remove those criminals from the "White House."

Peace.

:hug:

You are so very right.

It's our COMMUNITY that is the chief hope for the future. Kindness and hope feel so much better than hatred and fear that they will spread if given a chance. Kindness and proactive networking to accomplish shared goals are contagious, as I'm sure you've observed.

For a couple of short-term goals, it's looking like there will be a Forum that will encompass internet freedom issues. I'm hoping it will be called something like
Free Internet/ Free Press/ First Amendment Issues Forum
but better wording may well be suggested. My current discusson with Skinner on this is here:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=120&topic_id=30907

I am going to try to find time to start a thread sometime today or tonight that is for brainstorming the organization, use, and resources for this proposed forum before it is launched. Then we can hit the ground running. I'd greatly value and enjoy your help and active participaton in this.

I also am working on a couple of other projects that are tangentially related and reinforcing, especially one to bring together resources for improving our effectiveness as internet-based activists who must get the message out to the non-internet based public.

First, we must secure the free internet, for it will surely be attacked. If it is destroyed, I don't see how we can succeed in turning this country around, so the stakes are very, very high.

Under the snow in the garden, the tulip shoots are two inches tall. Spring is coming after the long winter.

Peace.

no one has yet to explain why anyone would go to such lengths and create an international incident to rid the world of this troublesome Italian reporter. Why???? Just what did she know or do to bring all of this on. If this can't be answered then all your left with is a colossal conspiracy theory.
:shrug:

Gosch. Negroponte also needed to flex his muscles with the UN, so he sent his longstanding Delta-force death squad to the region to install new and improved Diebold style black boxes for future puppet installing elections. Rummy saw an opportunity to kill 2 birds with one stone. Rove is the one feeding the "boyfriend" stories about handfuls of bullets to create a Rathergate style attack on Sgrena's story.

Unfortunately for them, the original poster's websites are all over the story.

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2005/3/8/123054/5928

This reporter was involved in stories --past and planned-- that the Administration would certainly want to suppress.

just to get a feel for things -- not that it proves anything. Just shows what she was writing about over in Iraq.

if this was an actual hit, to make it look like Iraqi terrorists had done it?

Why are you trying to interject logic and reason into a tinfoil hat conspiracy theory?

You should seriously know better than that!

:spank:

can I have another?

:spank:

Iraqi terrorists 700 meters from the airport?

"Accidental" shooting is much more acceptable.

http://www.livejournal.com/userpic/23645230/572900

The internet: Serious Business

let's assume that it was a hit. I think it's a mistake to just automatically conclude that it would be hit on the woman. If it's true that the man they killed was buying the release of hostages with large (millions) sums of money, then I think it's more likely that he was the target.

I saw a figure of 5 million quoted in an article the other day. Not sure that was for this release, or another Italian hostage, but 5 million dollars will buy the deaths of a lot of innocent Iraqis and US troops. How much is one person worth? Is it acceptable in any way to trade hundreds of lives (mostly Iraqi) for one Italian.

I can totally see why this would piss US commanders off to the point of complete meltdown. The Italians have a handful of troops in Iraq. They can't fight worth a damn, and their exposure to danger is quite low. Imagine how angry you would be if you saw your fellow soldiers getting their legs and arms blown off, while the Italians are pumping large sums of money into the insurgency.

If this was a hit, I'd bet they got exactly the guy they were trying for, and I would imagine the message was recieved loud and clear.

But yours makes sense and is plausible. I had not thought in those terms.