In The Dark: Episode 5 - "Four Brothers"

Release Date: August 20, 2024

Introduction

"In The Dark," an award-winning investigative journalism podcast by The New Yorker, delves into complex and often overlooked stories with depth and nuance. Season three focuses on the tragic killing of 24 men, women, and children by U.S. Marines in Haditha, Iraq. Episode 5, titled "Four Brothers," examines the harrowing events surrounding the deaths of four members of the same Iraqi family and the ensuing quest for truth and accountability.

1. Setting the Scene: The Haditha Killings

Season three of "In The Dark" explores a series of killings perpetrated by U.S. Marines in Haditha, Iraq, on November 19, 2005. The massacre resulted in the deaths of 24 civilians, including entire families, shaking the foundations of the local community and raising critical questions about military conduct and justice.

2. The Marines' Narrative

The episode begins by detailing the Marines' version of events. According to their statements, Sergeant Frank Wuderich, Corporal Hector Salinas, and Lance Corporal Justin Sharratt responded to suspicious activities in a courtyard, leading them to engage what they believed were insurgents.

Key Points from the Marines' Account:

• Initial Encounter: The Marines observed what they described as "gunshots" coming from a nearby house (00:33).

• Confrontation: Upon investigating, they purportedly encountered armed men. Sharratt's machine gun jammed, prompting him to switch to a borrowed 9mm pistol and allegedly shoot the first man in the head (00:50).

• Escalation: Sharratt claimed to have continued firing until out of ammunition, resulting in the deaths of all four men in under three minutes, with each victim reportedly shot in the head (00:48).

• Aftermath: Sharratt boasted about the event, referring to it as "Punisher style," and later, Marines discussed the incident with investigators, portraying it as a justified act against insurgents (01:53).

Notable Quote:

"Punisher style." – Marine discussing Sharratt's actions (02:10)

3. Diverging Truths: The Family's Perspective

Contrasting sharply with the Marines' account, the family's testimony presents a starkly different narrative. Najla Abdul Razak Hamid and Ehab Ayed, relatives of the victims, provide detailed accounts of the events, emphasizing the innocence and familial bonds of those killed.

Key Points from the Family's Account:

• Family Dynamics: Najla and Ehab describe a close-knit family with strong communal ties. Jamal, Najla's husband, worked as a traffic officer, making him a target for insurgents (10:04).

• Unexpected Violence: On the morning of November 19, the family experienced an IED explosion, disrupting their daily routine. Despite the chaos, the family members were gathered peacefully, contrary to any insurgent activity (18:55).

• Marines' Aggression: When the Marines arrived, they separated the men from the women and children, leading to the systematic killing of Najla and Ehab's husbands and uncles. The Marines' actions were unprovoked and unilateral (21:52).

• Trauma and Loss: The family recounts the immediate horror of finding their loved ones dead, the struggle to protect young children, and the subsequent grief that tore the family apart (32:45).

Notable Quote:

"This is what he did." – Investigator Clyde Legault reflecting on the Marine's pride (04:30)

4. The Aftermath: Emotional and Psychological Impact

The killings left deep scars on the family and the broader community. Najla and Ehab, widowed and traumatized, relied on each other for support, while Khalid Jamal, Ehab's son, grappled with survivor's guilt and a relentless pursuit of answers.

Key Points:

• Family Bonding: In the wake of tragedy, Najla and Ehab strengthened their bond, becoming pillars of support for each other and their children (40:05).

• Psychological Trauma: Members of the family, including grandparents, experienced severe psychological distress—ranging from suicidal ideation to the loss of eyesight, leading to death months later (39:15).

• Khalid Jamal's Quest: Now a computer science lecturer, Khalid became obsessed with uncovering the truth behind his family's deaths, meticulously researching online and seeking out the Marines involved (50:26).

Notable Quote:

"I want to ask him what's happened in my father's final moments." – Khalid Jamal expressing his desire for answers (47:26)

5. Pursuit of Truth: Uncovering the Discrepancies

Khalid Jamal's investigation revealed significant inconsistencies between the Marines' statements and the family's experience. Questions about the number of weapons, the Marines' rapid disengagement without retaliation, and the singular focus on headshots led Khalid to suspect a cover-up.

Key Points:

• Weapon Discrepancies: The family questioned why the supposed insurgents had only two guns among four men and why they were confined to a single, small room, a tactically poor decision for an ambush (00:50).

• Selective Targeting: The Marines' claims of defensive action were contradicted by the family's account of the men being unarmed and part of a peaceful household (21:52).

• Psychological Tactics: The Marines reportedly used aggressive tactics, such as smashing rifles against windows to intimidate the family further, indicating a lack of genuine threat (28:38).

Notable Quote:

"This is insane. This is not what happened." – Najla Abdul Razak Hamid rejecting the Marine's narrative (43:20)

6. Legal Struggles and the Quest for Evidence

Understanding the necessity of concrete evidence, the podcast highlights the family's efforts to obtain and release photographs taken by the U.S. Military on the night of the killings. These photos, purportedly sealed under claims of national security and potential trauma, hold the key to unveiling the truth.

Key Points:

• Sealed Evidence: The family learned about the existence of these photos and considered legal avenues to have them unsealed, believing they could provide irrefutable evidence of the Marines' actions (42:28).

• Community Mobilization: Khalid, along with Salman Rasif—a lawyer who lost 15 family members that day—began collecting signatures from survivors to petition for the release of the photos (50:26).

• Legal Efforts: With 17 signatures gathered, the family submitted the forms to their lawyers, who filed them in court, hoping a judge would order the release of the sensitive materials (42:28).

Notable Quote:

"I actually asked Khalid Jamal to think about it. I didn't accept his answer." – Madeline Barron discussing the significance of the decision to pursue the photos (44:07)

7. Khalid Jamal's Personal Journey

Khalid Jamal embodies the relentless pursuit of truth in the face of overwhelming grief. His commitment to uncovering the details of his family's death drives him to bridge the gap between personal loss and systemic accountability.

Key Points:

• Research and Documentation: Khalid uses his expertise in computer science to meticulously gather information, translating and compiling online resources related to the case (50:26).

• Emotional Toll: His obsession with finding answers affects his personal life, including his relationship with his own son, Omar, and his interactions with the Marines involved (52:21).

• Symbolic Gestures: Khalid's desire to confront Sergeant Wuderich personally highlights the deep-seated need for closure and accountability (51:47).

Notable Quote:

"I hope this stays with you for your whole life." – Khalid Jamal contemplating sharing his loss with Frank Wuderich (51:55)

8. Community and Collective Grief

The massacre didn't just devastate individual families but rippled through the entire Haditha community. Collective grief manifested in various forms, from attempts at self-harm to the enduring legacy of loss and displacement.

Key Points:

• Community Responses: Neighbors and extended family members tried to support each other, though the scope of the tragedy often left individuals isolated in their grief (36:28).

• Resilience and Support Systems: Despite the horrors, survivors like Najla and Ehab found solace in each other, highlighting the resilience of the human spirit in the darkest times (40:05).

• Long-term Consequences: The physical and psychological scars endured by the survivors underscore the profound and lasting impact of such violent acts on communities (39:15).

Notable Quote:

"They were really wanted. And she just wants to know who was murdered first." – Ehab Ayed expressing her yearning for understanding (54:14)

9. Broader Implications: Military Accountability and Justice

"Four Brothers" not only recounts a personal tragedy but also serves as a critical examination of military accountability. The episode underscores the challenges faced by affected families in seeking justice and the systemic barriers that often obscure the truth.

Key Points:

• Official Silence and Resistance: Attempts to release critical evidence like photographs are met with bureaucratic resistance, highlighting issues within military justice systems (42:28).

• Discrepancies in Narratives: The stark differences between the Marines' statements and the family's testimony reveal potential cover-ups and a lack of transparency (43:20).

• Ongoing Struggles for Justice: The family's prolonged battle to uncover the truth illustrates the systemic hurdles in holding military personnel accountable for misconduct (51:47).

Notable Quote:

"The killing of her husband and his brothers wasn't like something for defending themselves. They just shot them." – Najla Abdul Razak Hamid challenging the justification of the killings (44:07)

Conclusion

Episode 5 of "In The Dark," "Four Brothers," presents a compelling and tragic narrative that juxtaposes official military accounts with the poignant testimonies of a devastated family. Through meticulous investigation and heartfelt storytelling, the podcast illuminates the enduring quest for truth and justice amidst profound loss. Khalid Jamal's journey exemplifies the struggle of countless families seeking closure in the aftermath of systemic violence, highlighting the broader issues of accountability and the human cost of conflict.

Notable Quotes Recap:

• "Punisher style." – Marine discussing Sharratt's actions (02:10)
• "This is insane. This is not what happened." – Najla Abdul Razak Hamid (43:20)
• "I hope this stays with you for your whole life." – Khalid Jamal (51:55)

Credits

"In The Dark" is reported and produced by Madeline Barron and Samara Freemark, with contributions from Parker Yesko and others. The episode was edited by Catherine Winter and Willing Davidson, with sound design by John Delore. Special thanks to the families and individuals who shared their stories, providing invaluable insights into this profound tragedy.

For more episodes and in-depth investigative stories, subscribe to In The Dark on The New Yorker.