NewsMine — war-on-terror — iraq — 2003-invasion — colateral-damage — Viewing Item

Children die checkpoint { April 1 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,5944-630893,00.html http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,5944-630893,00.html Iraq April 01, 2003 Children die as US troops fire on van at checkpoint From Roland Watson in Washington AMERICAN troops killed seven Iraqi women and children yesterday when they opened fire on a van which refused to stop at a checkpoint. Military chiefs launched an immediate investigation into the incident, which threatened to harm American efforts to convince the Iraqi people of their goodwill. The tragedy occurred outside Najaf, near where a suicide bomber driving a taxi killed four American soldiers at the weekend. US officials said that the troops ordered the van to stop. When it failed to slow down, they fired warning shots into the air. When the driver maintained speed, they fired into its engine. When that failed, they fired into the van itself. After it had careered off the road, the soldiers discovered 13 women and children inside. Seven were dead, two injured and four escaped unhurt. American forces have surrounded Najaf, a Shia holy city, after encountering stiff resistance from fighters inside, which has prevented them from securing the town. US officials stressed that the soldiers had done everything they could to stop the vehicle and said that the soldiers had acted within the rules of engagement. However the troops involved, from the US Army’s 3rd Infantry Division, were being questioned about the incident last night. In an indication of the sensitivity surrounding the tragedy, US Central Command released the news on its own terms, before the Iraqi authorities could suggest a cover-up. Since Saturday’s suicide bombing, already suspicious American soldiers have become even more wary of civilians and civilian cars. They have complained that many irregular Fedayin fighters and Baath party loyalists are wearing civilian clothes and that it has been impossible to differentiate them from ordinary members of the public. The US drive to win over the Iraqis has already been hit hard by the two marketplace explosions in Baghdad, which are blamed on the Americans and in which it is claimed more than 60 people died.

1700 iraqi civilian deaths { May 18 2003 } 36 dead civilians bahgdad bombing { March 27 2003 } 4000 dead civilians one week { March 27 2003 } 50 die market blast Accuses us targeting civilians Baghdad blasts kill 17 civilians { March 27 2003 } Baghdad hospital bombed { April 2 2003 } Baghdad market world cries { March 29 2003 } Baghdad marketplace hit Bathed in blood { April 6 2003 } Bloody checkpoint marines weeping { April 6 2003 } Bombed maternity hospital Boy without arms [jpg] Boy without arms2 [jpg] Chick got in the way { March 29 2003 } Children die checkpoint { April 1 2003 } Cluster bombs liberate children Concern grows for iraqi civilians { April 6 2003 } Counting iraqis dead { March 25 2003 } Cruise missile residential area { March 26 2003 } Denies targeting baghdad marketplace Errant missile hits iran { March 22 2003 } Excessive force cluster bombs { April 1 2003 } Explosions dismemberd iraqis { April 3 2003 } Face of war [jpg] Forces kill 7 woman children High civilian death toll { May 22 2003 } Hilla hospital cluster bombs { April 3 2003 } Hit marketplace 3 26 03 [jpg] Hospitals overwhelmed Humanitarian effort disaster { April 7 2003 } Hundreds reported dead Iran says building hit { March 22 2003 } Iraq shows casualties hospital { April 3 2003 } Iraqi civilian deaths 10 000 Iraqi wounded too high to count Marketplace death us missile { April 2 2003 } Mirror appeal boy without arms Missile strikes baghdad market friday Missile strikes house family { March 25 2003 } Nasiriya bridge slaughter { March 31 2003 } Outrage over damage homes cluster bombs Proof marketplace us missile Rutba hospital bombed { March 31 2003 } Saddam bombs hit homes Slaughter bridge death Target baghdad marketplace Tours hospitals wounded Vegetable market bombed Women children killed highway9 { April 1 2003 } Files Listed: 50

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