Armstrong reveals that Scar is an Ishbalan alchemist during their battle.

Marcoh
tells the Elrics about the Ishbal massacre, how state alchemists were used against
the Ishbalans, who viewed alchemy as heretical. Marcoh, forced to use his research,
caused huge casualties on the Ishbalan side. Mustang, forced to kill a pair of
doctors, who were saving lives from both sides, allows Marcoh to desert. When the
doctors are revealed to be Winry's parents, Marcoh refuses to escape to Resembool
with the Elrics. Scar, fleeing from the military, runs into the Elrics again as
they defend themselves against him, resulting in Scar destroying Ed's arm and
damaging Al's body. Just as Scar prepares to finish off Ed, Marcoh throws his red
stone at Scar, causing him to painfully absorb the stone into his tattooed arm.
Outnumbered by military reinforcements, Scar manages to escape into the sewers and
Marcoh is taken to a "safe location" by the F�hrer's personal secretary.