Off Target
The Conduct of the War and Civilian Casualties in Iraq
ACRONYMS
GLOSSARY..
I. SUMMARY
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Principal
Findings
International
Humanitarian Law..
Methodology
Pre-Mission
On Mission
Post-Mission
Civilian
Casualties
Major
Recommendations
II. CONDUCT
OF THE AIR WAR..
Synopsis of
the Air War
Collateral
Damage Estimates
Emerging
Targets-Iraqi Leadership
Time-Sensitive and High-Value Targets
Flawed Targeting Methodology
Ineffective Battle Damage Assessment
Case Studies of Attacks on Leadership Targets
Conclusion and Recommendations
Preplanned
Targets
Dual-Use Targets
Government Facilities
Conclusion and Recommendations
Cluster Bomb
Strikes
Introduction to Cluster Munitions
Cluster Bomb Strikes in the Iraq Air War
Conclusion and Recommendations
III. CONDUCT
OF THE GROUND WAR..
Synopsis of
the Ground War
Iraqi Conduct
in the Ground War
Use of Human Shields
Abuse of Red Cross and Red Crescent Emblems
Use of Antipersonnel Landmines
Location of Military Objectives in Protected Places
Lack of Precautions in Preparing for Urban Combat
Combatants in Civilian Clothes
Conclusion and Recommendations
Coalition
Conduct in the Ground War
Ground-Launched Cluster Munitions
Antipersonnel Landmines
Rules of Engagement
IV. EXPLOSIVE
REMNANTS OF WAR.. 103
Cluster
Munitions and the Dangers of Duds103
Civilian Harm... 104
Adverse Military Consequences110
New Technology111
Growing Opposition to Cluster Munitions113
Conclusion and Recommendations115
Abandoned
Explosive Ordnance117
Dangers to Civilians120
Protection of Civilians123
Conclusion and Recommendations125
Appendix A:
Civilian Casualties in al-Hilla128
Appendix B:
Civilian Casualties in al-Najaf130
Appendix C:
Civilian Deaths in al-Nasiriyya132
Appendix D:
Weapons Used in the Air War134
Precision-Guided
Munitions134
Unguided
Unitary Munitions135
Cluster Bombs136
Aircraft136
Appendix E:
Rules of Engagement for U.S. Military Forces in Iraq139
Appendix F:
Maps141
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS142