Claim:   A mural in Iraq depicts an airplane slamming into buildings resembling the World Trade Center towers.

Status:   True.

Origins:   On 26 March 2003, a mural showing an airplane crashing into one of two tall vertical buildings and setting it aflame (while a second airplane approaches the other building) was discovered by U.S. Marines searching Iraqi military headquarters in Nasiriya. The plane in this cheerily-hued painting bears the logo and color scheme of Iraqi Airlines.

The now famous photo, which shows two Marines in front of the mural, was taken by Joe Raedle, a photo journalist accompanying the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force from Task Force Tarawa.

No comment has so far been offered as to whether the mural pre-dates the September 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City or whether it was painted afterwards in celebration of same.

Barbara "artless" Mikkelson

Last updated:   6 July 2008

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  Sources:

    Wolf Blitzer.   "Wolf Blitzer Reports."

    CNN.   26 March 2003.

    CNN.   "Marines Discover Iraqi 9/11 Mural."

    26 March 2003.

    [Melbourne] Herald Sun.   "Twin Towers Reminder."

    28 March 2003   (p. 9).