Iraqi Soldier ‘Killed U.S. Troops’, Say Officials

The Bush Administration first claimed that the December attack which killed two U.S. soldiers simply was hostile gunfire from small arms. Iraqi Soldier ‘Killed U.S. Troops’, Say OfficialsBy Cliff Montgomery – Jan. 6th, 2008An Iraqi soldier opened fire on U.S. troops, murdering two and injuring three others, admit American and Iraqi officials.”The shooting was deliberate, it was not an accident,” said Iraqi general Noor al-Din Hussein.The attack occurred during a joint troop patrol in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on December 26th. But the details only now are beginning to emerge–and they should make every American think twice about the true “security situation” in that war-torn country.Iraqi general Mutaa al-Khazraji told reporters: “They [the joint patrol] were attacked by gunmen and the [Iraqi] soldier abused the situation and killed the two [U.S.] soldiers.”He added that the Iraqi serviceman was “an insurgent infiltrator”. Khazraji told journalists that the attacker has been arrested and now is being interrogated.The attack may be the first proven instance of a modern Iraqi soldier opening fire on U.S. troops since the Bush Administration invasion of the country in 2003. But it probably isn’t the first time this has happened.U.S. troops on the ground know that the Iraqi government has been openly allied to some of the very militants now “cleansing” Iraq of everyone who is not a ‘proper’ Shi’ite Muslim.They’ve seen, for instance, how many on the Iraqi government-sponsored “police force” have freely worked alongside Shi’ite militiamen to wipe out neighborhoods of decent, middle-class Sunni families.And they’ve seen with their own eyes how the Bush Administration’s “partners” in the Iraqi National Police are often some of their most wily enemies.”We were so committed to them as a partner we couldn’t see it for what it was. In retrospect, I’ve got to think [the action of Shi’ite militias and Iraqi police forces] was a coordinated effort,” Maj. Eric Timmerman, operations officer for 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, recently told The Washington Post.”To this day, I don’t think we truly understand how infiltrated or complicit the national police are” with Islamist Shi’ite militias, he added.The administration first claimed that the December attack which killed Sgt. Benjamin Portell, 27, and Capt. Rowdy Inman, 38, simply was hostile gunfire from small arms.Three other soldiers and an interpreter also were wounded.Like what you’re reading so far? Then why not order a full year (52 issues) of thee-newsletter for only $15? A major article covering an story not being told in the Corporate Press will be delivered to your email every Monday morning for a full year, for less than 30 cents an issue. Order Now!