WikiLeaks Video Distributor Describes Pilots: 'As If They're Playing A Video Game'

A disturbing video was released online today by WikiLeaks.org, an investigative organization. The video purports to show unarmed journalists and civilians being shot at by a US military helicopter near Baghdad on July 12, 2007. I'll refrain from posting the video here, as it's extremely violent and far from safe for all ages, but if you're interested, you can watch it at the above link.

The video utilizes the gun cameras of US Apache helicopters and, in the background, you can hear soldier chatter regarding whether they should engage. After getting approval, shots are fired. According to WikiLeaks, 25 civilians, including two Reuters journalists, were killed in the attacks.

In describing the release of the video at the National Press Club in Washington, Julian Assange, a representative of WikiLeaks, said: "The behavior of the pilots is like they're playing a video game...It's like they want to get high-scores in that computer game."

It's hard to deny the similarities of the video with gameplay footage from games like "Modern Warfare 2." Game developers like Infinity Ward strive for accuracy, but it does give one pause when considering the real-life implications of one of these weapons.

Tags wikileaks