US finds malnourished Iraqi orphans

Baghdad: US soldiers have helped to rescue 24 abused and severely malnourished boys from a government orphanage in Iraq.

Shocking pictures released by CBS news show the special needs children being discovered by the soldiers, painfully thin, naked and sleeping on the floor in a building with no window.

Some of the boys, aged between three and 15, were found tied to the bedposts of the Al Hanan orphanage when the soldiers arrived on June 10.

Soldiers also uncovered a storeroom stocked with food and clothes, with Lt Stephen Duperre being quoted as saying he found three members of staff cooking for themselves.

The members of the US 82nd Airborne Division were led to the orphanage by members of a local neighbourhood committee.

The footage was first shown on CBS but has also been shown on Iraqi television.

A statement released by the US military said: "The 24 boys, aged 3 to 15 years old, were found naked in a darkened room without any windows. Many of the children were tied to their beds and were too weak to stand once released.

"In a nearby locked room, the soldiers discovered a room
full of food and clothing that could have been used to aid the
children," the statement said.

A spokeswoman for the government said that the building's director had been arrested, together with several members of his staff.

The boys were taken to hospital and have since been moved to an orphanage for girls nearby.

The whole story was shocking and extremely saddening. I have a 3-year-old son and to think that children just like him, who are completely innocent could be treated with such cruelty and maliciousness is beyond me. My heart goes out to these innocent children and they will be in my prayers always.
Andrea
Dubai,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2007, 08:26

The US is ruining all signs of civilization to meet its thirst for oil. They left Iraq in total shambles. Humanity is maltreated. This sin for money and protect Israel is unpardonable and never occured in history of human kind.
Safarulla
Abu Dhabi,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2007, 07:53

I was sick to my stomach when I saw the most very basic needs of the kids were not given. While the people that were supposed to care for them only cared about themselves. May those children in Iraq's special needs never be neglected again.
Ida
South Lake Tahoe,UAE
Posted: June 21, 2007, 02:58

What is the world coming to. Didn't they have a heart? I pray that the kids get justice and the ones behind this get what they deserve.
Mudasir
Chicago,USA
Posted: June 21, 2007, 00:30