WASHINGTON, Feb 4: A senior US Marine Corps general has sparked an uproar by saying it is "fun to shoot some people". But the Pentagon has refused to take any action against the general , letting him off with a mild rebuke that he should have chosen his words more carefully.

Lt Gen James Mattis, who led troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, made the comments at a conference on Tuesday in San Diego. "Actually it's quite fun to fight 'em, you know. It's a hell of a hoot. It's fun to shoot some people. I'll be right up front with you, I like brawling," said Gen Mattis.

"You go into Afghanistan, you got guys who slap women around for five years because they didn't wear a veil," Gen Mattis said during a panel discussion. "You know, guys like that ain't got no manhood left anyway. So it's a hell of a lot of fun to shoot them."

In a statement, Gen Michael Hagee, commander of the Marine Corps, praised Gen Mattis as "one of this country's bravest and most experienced military leaders". "While I understand that some people may take issue with the comments made by him, I also know he intended to reflect the unfortunate and harsh realities of war," Gen Hagee said. -Reuters