Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
Newser - Current News - Breaking Stories

« Back to the grid | Next story »

US Troops Kill 9 Iraqi Civilians

Posted Feb 4, 08 5:40 AM CST in World 

(Newser) – American military forces accidentally killed nine Iraqi civilians and injured three during raids south of Baghdad Saturday, US officials revealed today. The incident occurred near Iskandariyah, when a helicopter air strike was ordered on a checkpoint after a convoy of US troops in pursuit of Al Qaeda in Iraq came under attack. Iraqi police said American forces had erroneously fired on Iraqi civilian guardsmen helping the US effort against Al Qaeda.

An investigation into the deaths has been launched and authorities have met with a Muslim sheik representing the community. The deaths were the most recent killings involving the mostly Sunni guardsmen who have been instrumental in the reduction of sectarian violence in Iraq. In November, 25 men were killed by US troops as their leader claimed they were fighting with the Americans.
Sources: Associated Press, Reuters

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Blackwater Guards Charged With Manslaughter

    Dec 8, 08 12:18 PM CST
    Blackwater Guards Charged With Manslaughter Five former Blackwater guards involved in a 2007 shooting that left 17 Iraqi civilians dead turned themselves in today and were charged with voluntary manslaughter, attempted manslaughter, and using firearms in the commission of a crime, CNN reports. The men, all in their 20s, were arraigned in Salt Lake City and face hundreds of years in potential sentences on the charges in the 35-count federal indictments.
    More »

  • Car Bomb Kills 51 at Baghdad Market

    Jun 17, 08 5:18 PM CDT
    A car bomb tore through a market area in a mainly Shiite neighborhood in Baghdad today, killing more than 50 people and wounding dozens, officials said. It was the deadliest such attack in more than three months. Nobody claimed responsibility, but it bore the hallmarks of al-Qaeda in Iraq, which is known to use car bombs and suicide attacks. More »

  • Iraqi Soldier Kills Two US Troops

    Jan 5, 08 8:22 AM CST
    Iraqi Soldier Kills Two US Troops An Iraqi insurgent who joined the country’s military force shot and killed two American troops, the BBC reports. Three other US soldiers were injured in the Dec. 26 shooting, which happened during a joint patrol in northern Iraq. After the patrol was besieged by gunmen, the Iraqi soldier “abused” the situation and fired at the Americans, an Iraqi general said. More »

  • Al-Qaeda In Iraq Down 75%, Baghdad Says

    Dec 29, 07 5:23 PM CST
    Al-Qaeda In Iraq Down 75%, Baghdad Says Al-Qaeda in Iraq is down 75%, one Baghdad official said today—but US Gen. David Petraeus maintained that al-Qaeda is still “the most significant challenge" facing the country. Maj. Gen. Abdul Kareem Khalaf attributed the alleged al-Qaeda cut to beefed Iraq security, armed Sunni fighters, and the recent US troop surge. More »

An Iraqi officer secures the area after a police convoy was hit by a roadside bomb in central Basra, Iraq, today, two days after the US military accidentally killed nine Iraqi civilians south of Baghdad.(AP...   (Associated Press)
Map locates Iskandariyah, Iraq, where the U.S. military accidentally killed nine Iraqi civilians; 1c x 2 inches; 46.5 mm x 50.8 mm   (Associated Press)
Iraqi police officers secure the area after their convoy was hit by a roadside bomb in central Basra, Iraq, today, two days after the US military accidentally killed nine Iraqi civilians south of Baghdad....   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Related Threads

(1 of 3)

Tags

Iraq • al-Qaeda • American troops • Blackwater • civilian casualties • Iraq mess • civilians


Loading...

Today's Most Popular

[ Stories ]

Threads

Loading...
SPONSORED NEWS ARCHIVE

Blackwater tightens security.(Eastern)(Blackwater USA)(Company overview) (Business North Carolina)

Blackwater creates export oversight panel.(Front) (The Virginian Pilot)

Blackwater offers to escort ships past Somalia.(Front) (The Virginian Pilot)

Blackwater suit to stay in arbitration, appeals court rules.(Front) (The Virginian Pilot)

INTO BLACKWATER.(NATION)(INSIDE THE BELTWAY)(Column) (The Washington Times)

Efforts to assuage Iraqi killings involving Blackwater hit block.(Front) (The Virginian Pilot)

Grand jury hears iraqis testify in blackwater case.(Front) (The Virginian Pilot)

Controversial civilian security firm gets new Iraq contract.(QuickQuotes)(Blackwater... (The New American)

Blackwater training facilities straddle North Carolina counties.(Local) (The Virginian Pilot)

State Department to Renew Deal With Blackwater for Iraq Security (The Washington Post)


Other World Stories