12/12/2003
Coalition strategy led to hundreds of Iraqi civilian deaths: report
Hundreds of civilian deaths could have been avoided during the US-led invasion of Iraq had the military not used cluster bombs and indulged in opportunistic decapitation strikes against regime leaders, according to the UN's Human Rights Watch.
The use of cluster munitions in populated areas caused more civilian casualties "than any other factor" in the Coalition's conduct of major military operations in March and April, the Human Rights Watch said. The organisation claimed that US and British forces killed or wounded more than 1,000 civilians through the use of almost 13,000 cluster munitions. The bombs contained nearly two million submunitions, or bomblets –of which many did not explode and remain live in areas populated by ordinary Iraqis.
Meanwhile, 50 strikes against top Iraqi leaders failed to kill any of the intended targets, but instead killed dozens of civilians, the Human Rights Watch report claimed.
The US “decapitation” strategy relied on intercepts of senior Iraqi leaders' satellite phone calls along with corroborating intelligence that proved "inadequate", the report claimed. As a result, the US military could only locate targets within a 100-meter radius – which was "clearly inadequate precision in civilian neighbourhoods".
Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch, said: “Coalition forces generally tried to avoid killing Iraqis who weren't taking part in combat. But the deaths of hundreds of civilians still could have been prevented.”
Armed forces are obliged to take all "feasible precautions" for avoiding civilian losses, and to refrain from attacks that are "indiscriminate" or where the expected civilian harm exceeds the military gain, the group said.
The 147-page report, 'Off Target: The Conduct of the War and Civilian Casualties in Iraq', also examined violations of international humanitarian law by Iraqi forces, including use of human shields, abuse of the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems, use of antipersonnel landmines, and placement of military objects in mosques and hospitals.
Elsewhere, a probe is to be launched into why one third of the first battalion of the new Iraqi army resigned yesterday.
US officials have said that the mass resignation of between 200 to 250 men of the 600-strong battalion, stemmed from a disagreement over pay.
Pentagon officials said that many soldiers were unhappy as they could make about $10 a month more if they entered other Iraqi security forces.
A Pentagon spokesperson dismissed the mass desertion as the actions of "one small unit in a massive security effort".
Around 160,000 Iraqis have signed up with security forces in the country.
There are 68,400 members of the Iraqi police, 65,300 members of the Facilities Protection Service, 13,200 members of the Civil Defense Corps and 12,500 members of the Border Police. Officials said no other security force has experienced the same problem as the new Iraqi army.
(gmcg)
The use of cluster munitions in populated areas caused more civilian casualties "than any other factor" in the Coalition's conduct of major military operations in March and April, the Human Rights Watch said. The organisation claimed that US and British forces killed or wounded more than 1,000 civilians through the use of almost 13,000 cluster munitions. The bombs contained nearly two million submunitions, or bomblets –of which many did not explode and remain live in areas populated by ordinary Iraqis.
Meanwhile, 50 strikes against top Iraqi leaders failed to kill any of the intended targets, but instead killed dozens of civilians, the Human Rights Watch report claimed.
The US “decapitation” strategy relied on intercepts of senior Iraqi leaders' satellite phone calls along with corroborating intelligence that proved "inadequate", the report claimed. As a result, the US military could only locate targets within a 100-meter radius – which was "clearly inadequate precision in civilian neighbourhoods".
Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch, said: “Coalition forces generally tried to avoid killing Iraqis who weren't taking part in combat. But the deaths of hundreds of civilians still could have been prevented.”
Armed forces are obliged to take all "feasible precautions" for avoiding civilian losses, and to refrain from attacks that are "indiscriminate" or where the expected civilian harm exceeds the military gain, the group said.
The 147-page report, 'Off Target: The Conduct of the War and Civilian Casualties in Iraq', also examined violations of international humanitarian law by Iraqi forces, including use of human shields, abuse of the Red Cross and Red Crescent emblems, use of antipersonnel landmines, and placement of military objects in mosques and hospitals.
Elsewhere, a probe is to be launched into why one third of the first battalion of the new Iraqi army resigned yesterday.
US officials have said that the mass resignation of between 200 to 250 men of the 600-strong battalion, stemmed from a disagreement over pay.
Pentagon officials said that many soldiers were unhappy as they could make about $10 a month more if they entered other Iraqi security forces.
A Pentagon spokesperson dismissed the mass desertion as the actions of "one small unit in a massive security effort".
Around 160,000 Iraqis have signed up with security forces in the country.
There are 68,400 members of the Iraqi police, 65,300 members of the Facilities Protection Service, 13,200 members of the Civil Defense Corps and 12,500 members of the Border Police. Officials said no other security force has experienced the same problem as the new Iraqi army.
(gmcg)
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Girl (8) among Iraqi civilians killed by UK troops: report
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19 September 2005
Two soldiers arrested in Iraq
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13 January 2004
US troops in Iraq accused of 'violating the laws of war'
US military forces in Iraq appear to have "violated the laws of war" by demolishing the homes of relatives of suspected insurgents or wanted former officials, Human Rights Watch said today.
US troops in Iraq accused of 'violating the laws of war'
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13 December 2004
Car bomb in Baghdad kills at least seven
At least seven people, all understood to be civilians, have died when a car bomb exploded at a military checkpoint in Baghdad today. The attack marks the anniversary of the capture by American forces of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein who was found hiding in a small underground shelter last year. The bomb exploded at around 9.00am local time (06.
Car bomb in Baghdad kills at least seven
At least seven people, all understood to be civilians, have died when a car bomb exploded at a military checkpoint in Baghdad today. The attack marks the anniversary of the capture by American forces of Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein who was found hiding in a small underground shelter last year. The bomb exploded at around 9.00am local time (06.
19 January 2005
Series of bomb attacks hit central Baghdad
US military sources have confirmed that four car bombs in the Iraqi capital Baghdad this morning have killed at least 26 people. The attacks occurred in quick succession and involved the Australian embassy, eastern Iraqi police headquarters, the international airport and an Iraqi military complex.
Series of bomb attacks hit central Baghdad
US military sources have confirmed that four car bombs in the Iraqi capital Baghdad this morning have killed at least 26 people. The attacks occurred in quick succession and involved the Australian embassy, eastern Iraqi police headquarters, the international airport and an Iraqi military complex.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Scattered showers of rain, sleet and, over hills, snow in the morning with sunny spells, the best of these in the south. The showers dying out this afternoon with increasing amounts of sunshine. Occasionally fresh westerly or northwesterly winds easing. Maximum temperature 6 °C.Tonight:Clear start with a fairly widespread frost developing. Increasing cloud brings occasionally heavy rain overnight, preceded, especially over western hills, briefly by snow. Occasional southeasterly gales, severe near coasts, developing. Minimum temperature -2 °C.