US forces kill six Iraqi security personnel in 'mistaken fire'

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Agence France-Presse

US forces kill six Iraqi security personnel in 'mistaken fire'
36 minutes ago

BAGHDAD (AFP) — US forces killed six Iraqi security personnel north of Baghdad on Wednesday, Iraqi officials said, in an incident which the American military said was a case of "mistaken fire".

The shooting erupted at a joint Iraqi police and army checkpoint in the town of Tarmiyah at around 5:00 am (0200 GMT) Wednesday, interior and defence ministry officials told AFP.

The US military confirmed the incident and said there was an exchange of fire between the coalition and Iraqi forces when its troops were conducting operations against Al-Qaeda.

It gave no immediate confirmation of the death toll.



Read more: http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5jMp0SDnaxh_s9exChWZU4W8hsJgw

[MetaTrope]

1. Aw, we aren't providing "friendly fire" anymore?

[Xipe Totec]

2. Are we wining now, or is Al-Qaeda still killing more Iraqis than we are? n/t

[Robbien]

3. The US was doing patrols on the river with no lights

of course they never bothered telling Iraqis they were doing so.

When the Iraqis noticed movement they gave them warning shots and then the US opened fire.

The US needs to learn we do not have unlimited access to another country's land. Until that happens more Iraqis will die, or the Iraqis lose their patience with us and US personnel start dying.

[The Stranger]

4. I think that is worse than the US "needing to learn about access."

The fact that the U.S. forces fired on the Iraqi patrol -- instead of identifying themselves -- is a violation of rules of engagement. This sounds malicious.