The U.S. Marine Corps has launched an investigation into a video that purports to show American Marines urinating on the dead bodies of Taliban members.
The video, posted on YouTube, shows four Marines peeing on three dead bodies lying in the dust in front of them. In the 40-second film, the soldiers are laughing, and one of the Marines jokes, "Have a great day buddy." A second man is heard saying, "Golden, like a shower."
The men in the video are not identified. A caption on YouTube says the men are part of the "Scout Sniper Team 4 with 3rd battalion 2nd marines out of camp lejeune." A senior Marine Corps official told CNN that the men are wearing helmets typical for the Marine corps sniper teams and that their rifles are 30-caliber sniper rifles.
The video also has been brought to the attention of the Marine Corps headquarters.
"While we have not yet verified the origin or authenticity of this video, the actions portrayed are not consistent with our core values and are not indicative of the character of the Marines in our Corps," ABC quotes an official statement. "This matter will be fully investigated."
"Regardless of the circumstances or who is in the video, this is egregious, disgusting behavior," Department of Defense spokesman Capt. John Kirby told CNN. "It's hideous. It turned my stomach."
WARNING: Video contains graphic images.