Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
« Back to the grid | Next story »

Italian Cops Bust Secret Iraqi Arms Deal

Posted Aug 12, 07 11:51 PM CDT in US,  World 

(Newser) – A secret transaction providing the Iraqi government with over $40 million worth of weapons was uncovered by Italian police investigating local Mafiosi, the Guardian reports. Without the knowledge of American military commanders, the Iraqi interior ministry had ordered 105,000 rifles from arms traffickers, ostensibly to supply police. Italian police halted the transaction and arrested four people.

The shady nature of the deal has raised suspicions that the guns were for use by Shia militias and police units close to the Shia-led government. The US high command came under fire last week after congressional investigators discovered the disappearance of 190,000 US-supplied weapons in Iraq.

Source Guardian (UK)

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon
Men exchange money for weapons over tea in a Baghdad home, June 20, 2007. Italian authorities have broken up an alleged illegal plot to ship more than 100,000 assault rifles and machine guns into Iraq,...   (Associated Press)
An Iraqi carries a Russian-designed machine gun at a funeral, July 27, 2007, in Karbala, an Iraqi city dominated by Shiite Muslim militias. Italian authorities have broken up an alleged illegal plot to...   (Associated Press)
U.S. Army troops from Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division search a house during a census operation in the Amariyah neighborhood of west Baghdad, Iraq,...   (Associated Press)
A U.S. Army soldier from Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division casts a shadow onto a wall during a census operation in the Amariyah neighborhood of west...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 2)

Tags

Italy • gun • Iraq government • Mafia • weapon • Shia • militia • arms deal • arms trafficking


Loading...

Today's Most Popular

Loading...
SPONSORED NEWS ARCHIVE

TROOPS IN IRAQ KILL TWO SUSPECTED TERRORISTS, CAPTURE 14, SEIZE WEAPONS (US Fed News Service, Including US State News)

Colin Powell's admission about WMDs and Iraq War widely overlooked.(Inside... (The New American)

US MILITARY CLAIMS SENIOR AL-QAEDA LEADER KILLED IN IRAQ (The Hindustan Times)

SOLDIERS IN IRAQ FOCUS ON RESTORING INFRASTRUCTURE (US Fed News Service, Including US State News)

ARAB US RELATIONS - Oct 27 - US Says Iraqi Militant Killed In Syria Raid. (APS Diplomat Recorder)

Iraq war 'violated international law'. (The Daily Mail (London, England))

U.S. troops to apply for search warrants; Status-of-forces agreement might... (The Washington Times)

Veterans take battle in run for Congress; Pledge to extend duty to serve.(NATION) (The Washington Times)

Weapons shipments may trigger millions in fines.(Front) (The Virginian Pilot)

Campbell wins recognition for sexing up skills ; The Londoner's Diary (Evening Standard - London)


Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Face it: there's too much news. At Newser a team of editors and writers culls the most important stories from hundreds of U.S. and international sources and reduces them to a headline, picture, and two paragraphs. It's the Newser guarantee: we can take any report or column or video and pack what you need to know into 120 words or less. Newser's short-form aggregation, visual format, and unique information tools help you get more of the kind of news you want, in a quicker and more entertaining way. And we do it 24/7—you can come back morning, noon, night (and in between) for something new that matters. Read less, know more.

Learn more »