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U.S. Says 3 Iraqis Killed In June Were Law-Abiding
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"The criminals, who were traveling in a northerly direction near Baghdad International Airport fired at the Soldiers," the military said in the statement, released the day of the incident. "The soldiers returned fire, which resulted in the vehicle running off the road and striking a wall. The vehicle then exploded. All three criminals were killed in the incident. A weapon was recovered from the wreckage."
Two vehicles in the convoy, the military added, "received bullet hole damage from the small arms fire."
Relatives of the victims, as well as Iraqi police officials and employees of a private security firm that staffs the checkpoints along the airport road, expressed skepticism at the time. The checkpoints in the area are numerous and rigorous.
"I was surprised," said a senior police official responsible for the airport road, speaking on the condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to comment. "You know it's a safe and secure area. How can anyone shoot at them?"
When Mohammed Aboud heard the allegations that his father had attacked U.S. soldiers, he was shocked.
"My father couldn't even hold a weapon. He didn't know how to use one," he said. "He taught us when someone slaps you in your face, tell him thank you and don't retaliate."
A week after the incident, U.S. military officers offered $10,000 each to the families of the three victims, Mohammed Aboud said. But he said the families refused the sum and demanded a written apology.
"It was only $10,000," he said. "My father was the main provider for our family. We are displaced people. We also have to replace our car.
"We are in a very difficult time."
Maliki, the prime minister, called for an investigation into the incident.
On Sunday, the military said that the investigation "confirmed no weapon was recovered from the vehicle" and that the initial statement rose out of "numerous soldier witnesses who strongly believe they were being fired upon from the vehicle." There had also been "a misunderstanding" that Iraqi policemen at the scene had collected a weapon, the military said.
Batschelet, the 4th Infantry Division chief of staff, said: "We are taking several corrective measures to amend and eliminate the possibility of such situations happening in the future."
