Apple News In Conversation Rebroadcast: They killed 24 people, including children. No one was ever held responsible.
May 8, 2025
In this gripping discussion, Madeleine Baran, host and lead reporter of the Pulitzer Prize-winning investigative podcast In the Dark, delves into the Haditha massacre, where U.S. Marines killed 24 Iraqi civilians in 2005. She reveals the chaotic realities surrounding the incident and the failures of military justice in holding anyone accountable. Baran highlights the chilling dehumanization of victims during trials and portrays the profound emotional trauma experienced by survivors. The podcast calls for greater transparency and accountability in military actions.
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Haditha Massacre Incident
- The Marines' squads were on a routine mission when an IED exploded, killing one Marine and injuring two.
- Subsequently, Marines killed 24 civilians including women and children during an unprovoked attack in Haditha.
Safa Yunus' Survivor Story
- Safa Yunus, an 11-year-old girl, hid with her sister during the massacre but witnessed her family being killed.
- She comforted her wounded brother before passing out, later finding all her loved ones dead.
Pain in Najla and Ihab's Family
- Najla and Ihab lost four brothers who lived in two adjacent houses torn down to join.
- The family experienced profound trauma including blindness and suicide attempts after the killings.