Shoot 'em all

"Can you say 'free-fire zone'?" That's the question Left I on the News asks after noting a kernel of info in this Agence France Presse article about the recent American assault on Fallujah:

The US-backed government put rebel losses at more than 2,000, although unit commanders later revealed their troops had orders to shoot all males of fighting age seen on the streets, armed or unarmed, and ruined homes across the city attest to a strategy of overwhelming force.

Tune in 30 years from now for a new book by a consortium of Abrams Tank Veterans For Truth denying this ever happened.