Iraq Renews Probe Into Deadly US Raid

Posted September 2nd, 2011 at 10:15 am (UTC-5)
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Iraq has renewed an investigation into a U.S. raid in 2006 that resulted in the deaths of at least 10 civilians.

An aide to Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Friday the government would take another look at the case because of new evidence suggesting the civilians were executed.

The aide cited a document sent by a United Nations inspector a few weeks after the March raid. The classified document, released by Wikileaks, cites evidence that the victims were killed execution-style.

U.S. forces were hunting for militants in 2006 when they raided the village of Ishaqi, north of Baghdad. At least 10 civilians, including women and children, were killed during the incident.

Some Iraqis have long claimed that U.S. forces intentionally killed the civilians and then tried to cover up the deaths with an airstrike.

However, a U.S. military investigation shortly after the incident cleared troops of wrongdoing. A military spokesman said the troops came under fire while conducting the raid and reacted in accordance with the rules of engagement.