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A drop weapon is a weapon carried by a soldier for the purpose of placing on or near a slain individual to make that person appear to be an enemy combatant or insurgent, or alternatively left in the open for the purpose of firing on the individual who picks it up.[1] The use of drop weapons has been the cause of some controversy in the Iraq War.[2] In one incident United States Army Sgt. Evan Vela was sentenced to a 10 year prison term for murder after being convicted of murdering an unarmed Iraqi and planting evidence.[3]
According to many soldiers "baiting" or using drop weapons is a common practice in Iraq [4]. One reason for this is legal: if an individual is "known" to be an enemy without evidence, drop weapon tactics may be used to kill them without likely repercussion.
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Iraq War |
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Prior events
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Invasion and
occupation
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Aftermath
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Iraq since 2003
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