Washington (CNN) -- A number of websites including
TMZ and YouTube posted a video Wednesday showing four men dressed in
U.S. Marine Corps combat gear urinating on the apparently dead bodies of
three men sprawled on the ground in front of them.
One of the men says, "Have a great day, buddy." A voice asks, "You
got it on the video?" to which another voice responds, "Yeah." Another
jokes, "Golden, like a shower."
It was not clear who shot or posted the 39-second video, who the people pictured in it were or where it was shot.


A senior Marine Corps official who has examined the video said the
Marines are carrying 30-caliber sniper rifles and wearing helmets issued
to members of Marine Corps sniper teams. The helmets are designed with a
shorter front and sides so that snipers can place rifles and scopes
near their faces.
The official, who said an investigating officer was expected to be
named shortly, added that the desecration of a body by U.S. troops could
be considered a potential war crime.
"We recently became aware of an inappropriate video on a public
website that appears to involve members of our military," International
Security Assistance Force spokesman Col. Gary Kolb said from Kabul,
Afghanistan. "We will not speculate on the details but will take all
necessary actions to determine the facts."
He said an investigation was under way but would not comment on the
video's authenticity. The faces of the bodies are not identifiable.
"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," said
U.S.M.C. Media Officer Kendra Hardesty. "This matter will be fully
investigated and those responsible will be held accountable for their
actions. We are in the process of verifying what unit these Marines are
with right now and as soon as we have more information, we will let you
know."
"Regardless of the circumstances or who is in the video, this is
egregious, disgusting behavior," said DOD spokesman Capt. John Kirby.
"It's hideous. It turned my stomach."
In a statement, the Washington-based Council on American-Islamic
Relations condemned the video. "If verified as authentic, the video
shows behavior that is totally unbecoming of American military personnel
and that could ultimately endanger other soldiers and civilians," wrote
CAIR National Executive Director Nihad Awad in a letter to Defense
Secretary Leon Panetta.
"Any guilty parties must be punished to the full extent allowed by
the Uniform Code of Military Justice and by relevant American laws."