US troops kill seven Iraqi women, children in car

12.00pm

AS SAYLIYA CAMP, Qatar - US troops killed seven women and children and wounded two when they opened fire on a car packed with civilians near Najaf, Central Command war headquarters said today.

Thirteen women and children were inside the vehicle, four of whom were unhurt, the military said.


A spokesman for the command in Qatar said the driver had ignored warning shots.


"As a last resort the soldiers fired into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Inside the vehicle they found 13 women and children. Seven of the occupants were dead. Two were wounded. Four were unharmed," he said.


The death of civilians caught up in the US-led war in Iraq aimed at toppling President Saddam Hussein has fueled fury in the Arab world. Thousands of people have taken to the streets of Arab and other capitals in protest at the war, described by Washington as "Operation Iraqi Freedom."


US officers said the car approached the checkpoint near the central Iraqi city of Najaf about 4.30 pm local time (9.30 pm NZT) on Monday.


It was near Najaf where an Iraqi suicide car bomb exploded last Saturday, killing four US soldiers. Officers say that since then their troops are being especially careful.


Central Command said soldiers from the 3rd Infantry Division fired warning shots at the car after it failed to stop as it approached the checkpoint along Route 9.


"The soldiers then fired shots into the engine of the vehicle but it continued moving toward the checkpoint."


A spokesman said an investigation was already under way and they were trying to find out if any of the car's occupants were hurt before the troops opened fire.


It was not immediately known whether any weapons were found in the vehicle.


The military said: "Initial reports indicate the soldiers responded in accordance with the rules of engagement to protect themselves.


"In light of recent terrorist attacks by the Iraqi regime, the soldiers exercised considerable restraint to avoid the unnecessary loss of life."

- REUTERS

Herald Feature: Iraq war