US Security: Another Threat to Civilians in Iraq?

Do not always expect photographs of friendly US army officers giving out candies to Iraqi children or US troops working closely with Iraqi guards to fight bravely for the sake of our nation. In some cases, the presence of the US troops just worsen the lives of civilians in Iraq.

One of the most vital cases that people should be aware of is the Blackwater Security Company case, in which 17 Iraqi civilians were indiscriminately and fatally shot. [1]

Another brutal case is the allegation of one US soldier of raping and shooting an Iraqi woman after killing her family. Kerosene was then poured on her body. [2]

Not to mention, 25 Iraq civilians were killed in a province in western Iraq, including 18 children, hospital officials, and family members during a US raid which was meant to target insurgents on their attempt to plant bombs. [3]

For the first and last cases, the US troops just wanted to avoid any deadly attack from the insurgents, all right, but should we say that they need to be more meticulously aware of their targets? Isn’t it going to create more tension and hatred among the Iraqi civilians whose hopes to live peacefully are then shattered by the unnecessary and unfortunate occurrences that shouldn’t have had happened? It’s like the eternal world of accidents that they have to live in, everyday is a new kind of danger that they have to face, even from the people with whom their lives are entrusted.

[1] BBC, 10-14-2007, “ Blackwater Guards Were ‘Fired On’ “ .

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7044214.stm

[2] CNN, 08-07-2006, “ Investigator: U.S Soldier poured kerosene on raped, slain Iraqi.”

http://www.cnn.com/2006/WORLD/meast/08/07/iraq.familyslain/index.html

[3] Washington Post, 10-18-2005, “ Iraqis Say Civilians Killed in U.S Raids” by Ellen Knickmeyer.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/10/17/AR2005101700808.html