Blackwater shootout left 17 dead; Iraq PM says 'unfit' Blackwater must go

[ProSense]

Blackwater shootout left 17 dead

Wed Oct 3, 12:24 PM ET

WASHINGTON (AFP) - Seventeen people were killed and 24 injured in the September 16 Baghdad shootout involving security teams from private firm Blackwater USA, it was reported.

That death toll is significantly higher than the 10 originally reported in the incident which prompted intense criticism of Blackwater's operations protecting American diplomats and other officials in Iraq, the New York Times reported Wednesday.

Citing witnesses, Iraqi investigators and a US official, the Times said the shootout in Baghdad's Nisour Square started when a Blackwater guard fired a single shot at a hospital pathologist driving his mother on an errand, killing him.

When the man's car continued to roll ahead toward the Blackwater team, they let loose "an intense barrage of gunfire in several directions," killing the mother in the car and hitting numerous fleeing Iraqis, the newspaper said.

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Iraq PM says 'unfit' Blackwater must go

by Ammar Karim Wed Oct 3, 10:54 AM ET

BAGHDAD (AFP) - Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Wednesday that Blackwater should leave the country because of the mountain of evidence against the under-fire US security firm.

His comments came amid growing anger among Iraqis that "above-the-law" security contractors are continuing to operate in Iraq while Blackwater is being probed over a deadly shooting 17 days ago.

"I believe the abundance of evidence against it makes it unfit to stay in Iraq," Maliki told a televised press conference in Baghdad.

A New York Times report on Wednesday citing witnesses, Iraqi investigators and a US official said that as many as 17 people were killed and 24 wounded when Blackwater employees opened fire in central Baghdad on September 16.

Blackwater maintains its men were legitimately responding to an ambush while protecting a US State Department convoy but they are accused of firing into crowded Nisoor Square indiscriminately.

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[Fredda Weinberg]

1. I'm afraid it's the circumstances ... soldiers would be no better

From today's NYT report, "In response to the bombing, the Polish security guards fired their automatic weapons, wounding a taxi driver, said a witness, Specialist Sadiq Saber of the Iraqi Army."

[Kagemusha]

2. Yeah. The best defense is not to be there, as they say.

As long as they are, it's this or a lot more casualties from the real suicide bombers.

[Jacobin]

3. GTFO of Iraq, now!!!!

:argh:

[Disturbed]

4. al-Maliki is flip flopping on this. I am betting that these

Busholini Terrorists stay in Iraq. It is al Maliki who will go.

[terisan]

5. It is our State Department who let the thugs operate. So much for bringing democracy to Iraq

How do these actions differ from Any country where a private army is able to gun down citizens without fear of penalty.

Bush brought anarchy to Iraq and its been going on for almost 5 years.

[ProSense]

6. Kick! n/t