U.S. cracks down on Iraq death squads

[NNN0LHI]

http://edition.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/07/24/iraq.main/

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- U.S. commanders in Baghdad are focused on cracking down on Iraqi death squads responsible for killing hundreds of citizens in the capital in recent months, a military spokesman said Monday.

Most death squad killings appear to be sectarian, with Sunni Muslim gunmen targeting Shia neighborhoods, and Shiite attackers going after Sunnis. Victims are sometimes abducted by the dozens, their bodies often turning up later with signs of torture.

On Monday, three bodies were recovered across Baghdad. All had been shot in the head and showed signs of being brutalized.

Sunni leaders have accused Iraq's Shiite-dominated government of allowing gunmen from Shiite militias to infiltrate Iraq's police force, but U.S. troops have not found a "larger organization" behind the killings, Maj. Gen. William Caldwell said.


I still can't figure out how these death squads travel around Baghdad with curfews in place. Check points everywhere. And tens of thousands of heavily armed soldiers with air cover. And they do this without being noticed?

Any ideas?

[tuvor]

1. "Death squads".

And what do we call 'em when the bush administration supports 'em?

[michaelpush]

4. we call them The LADEN group!

after all,we supported Ben Laden too, and, his whole family!

[madeline_con]

6. Security Contractors n/t

[marmar]

2. With every crackdown comes increased carnage...

Broad-brush military tactics don't work in an urban warfare zone.

[klook]

3. I thought this was an ironic headline

referring to the apprehension of U.S. soldiers accused of murdering, raping, and torturing Iraqi civilians.

[madeline_con]

5. I have one...

It would seem with the curfews, all the kidnapings would have to take place in broad daylight. I'm not buying it.

I think it's mercenary contractors killing people on both sides they want to eliminate. There would not be 100s dead in a month (jsut from kidnappings), totally unnoticed without at least complicity on the part of the American trops.

Flame on...

[Botany]

7. Dept. of closing the barn door after the horse has run off.

[Doctor_J]

8. The propaganda onslaught this week has been remarkable

First Newsweak has Smirk in total command of the G8 meeting. Now ConNN is lying about how we're taking control of Baghdad. How stupid do they think the Limbeciles are?

[smacky44]

9. WHO ARE THESE DEATH SQUADS? That's the big question

Even Shia and Sunnis have nothing to gain with this kind of carnage against each others sects. I am beginning to wonder if these "death squads" are not infiltrators from the US CIA, contracted mercenaries by the US, or the Israeli Mossad? These are the only groups that truly benefit from such killings.