28.05.2008 - Source: Amnesty International

Killings and other violations by Multinational Force ("Annual Report 2008") [ID 23519]

"US forces committed gross human rights violations, including unlawful killings of civilians, arbitrary arrests, destruction of property and violent house searches. A few US and UK soldiers were tried and found guilty of human rights violations in previous years.

On 28 September, US forces launched an air raid at night targeting a building in the predominantly Sunni neighbourhood of al-Saha, in south-western Baghdad. At least 10 men, women and children were killed.

After heavy clashes on 21 October between US forces and gunmen belonging to the Mahdi Army in al-Sadr City in Baghdad, US forces used helicopters to reportedly target a man suspected of abducting MNF soldiers. During the raid, according to Iraqi police, 13 civilians, including two children, were killed and others injured. A US military official said a committee was reviewing the incident.

In August a US soldier was sentenced to 110 years’ imprisonment with the possibility of parole for raping and killing ‘Abeer Qasim Hamza al-Janabi, a 14-year-old girl, and murdering three of her relatives in Mahmoudiya in March 2006. A military court in Kentucky found the soldier guilty of “rape, conspiracy to commit rape and housebreaking with the intent to commit rape and four counts of felony murder”. Two other soldiers, who had earlier admitted raping the girl, received life sentences in February."

Document(s): Open document

12.2007 - Source: UN Assistance Mission for Iraq

123 civilian deaths involving MNF (Multinational Forces) air strikes from July to December 2007 ("Human Rights Report (1 July - 31 December 2007)") [ID 24599]

"UNAMI remained concerned about civilian deaths that continued to be reported in the context of air strikes or raid and search operations carried out by MNF air and ground forces. A number of incidents were recorded between July and December involving MNF air strikes in which 123 civilian deaths were reported at various locations in Iraq, with the number of casualties dropping sharply by November. They included the following: 10 civilian deaths in al-Diwaniya on 2 July; four civilian deaths in the Hay al-Siha neighborhood in Mosul and four others south of Samarra on 11 July; five civilian deaths on 12 July following the bombing of a house in al-Diwaniya where suspected insurgents were said to be located; 15 civilian deaths in al-Mada’en south of Baghdad on 26 July; six civilian deaths in Hay al-Jubour in the al-Dulai’iya sub-district of Salahuddin governorate on 5 August; eight civilian deaths involving electricity workers resulting from an air strike on their minibus in Samarra on 10 August; 10 civilian deaths in Albu Abdi north of Ba’quba on 20 August; 10 civilian deaths in the al-Siha district of south Baghdad on 28 September; four civilian deaths involving a family of four on the Mosul-Haditha road near Beji on 18 October; between six and 11 civilian deaths, including several children, in Mukaishifa between Samarra and Tikrit on 23 October; and three civilian deaths in Baghdad’s al-Tarmiya neighborhood on 5 November. In one incident, Iraqi police announced that 14 civilians were killed when MNF forces targeted al-Washash, an area adjacent to Baghdad’s al-Mansur district, on 6 September. On 5 October, MNF air support destroyed two buildings in Khalis after gunmen said to belong to a Shi’a militia attacked MNF ground forces. While MNF officials reported the death of 25 militia fighters, an Iraqi army official stated that civilians, including seven children, had also died. On 11 October an MNF air and ground assault against suspected al-Qaeda leaders killed 19 insurgents as well as six women and nine children in the Lake Tharthar region north of al-Ramadi. A US official announced that an investigation into this incident had begun and that the military regretted the loss of innocent lives, but blamed insurgents for putting civilians in danger."

Document(s): Open document

30.06.2007 - Source: BBC News

The US military charges 2 of its soldiers with the murder of 3 Iraqis in 2007 ("US troops on Iraq murder charges") [ID 20485]

"Pentagon investigators are already conducting a number of investigations into incidents of alleged unlawful killings by US forces in Iraq. In the biggest case, six members of one marine battalion are accused of a role in the killing of 24 civilians in the town of Haditha, north-west of Baghdad, in late 2005."

Document(s): Open document

30.06.2007 - Source: BBC News

Baghdad: US-led forces say they have killed 26 militants; some Iraqi officials say the dead are civilians ("US-led raids 'kill 26' in Baghdad") [ID 20486]

"US-led forces say they have killed 26 militants in overnight operations in the Sadr City area of Baghdad in which four vehicles were destroyed. Troops also detained 17 militants in pre-dawn raids on the area, a Shia stronghold, the US military said. But Iraqi hospital and police officials put the death toll at eight and said civilians were killed in their homes."

Document(s): Open document

29.06.2007 - Source: BBC News

Baghdad: US military confirms that 5 US soldiers were killed in an attack on their patrol ("Five US soldiers killed in Iraq") [ID 20487]

"Five US soldiers have been killed in an attack on a patrol in the Iraqi capital Baghdad, the US military has said. Seven others were wounded when a roadside bomb exploded as the patrol passed by. [...] The BBC's Baghdad correspondent Andrew North says that incidents like Thursday's, in which insurgents first use roadside bombs to attack US troops, then exploit the confusion afterwards to fire on them, have become more common."

Document(s): Open document

28.06.2007 - Source: Guardian

Basra: 3 British soldiers killed by roadside bomb while on patrol ("Basra bomb kills three British soldiers") [ID 20488]

"Three British soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb in the southern Iraqi city of Basra today. Elsewhere today, 20 decapitated bodies were found on the banks of the river Tigris just outside Baghad, while 25 people were killed by a car bomb inside the capital."

Document(s): Open document

23.06.2007 - Source: BBC News

At least 7 US-soldiers killed in explosions and attacks ("Iraq attacks kill seven US troops") [ID 20496]

"Four were killed and their Iraqi interpreter injured when a roadside bomb exploded next to their vehicle north-west of the capital Baghdad. Two soldiers were killed and three wounded when their vehicle was hit by a bomb and shot at in Baghdad. An airman also died of his wounds in a roadside blast near his vehicle in Saddam Hussein's hometown of Tikrit. [...] The deaths brought the toll of US military personnel killed in Iraq since March 2003 to more than 3,500."

Document(s): Open document

22.06.2007 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

14 U.S. soldiers killed in the past three days of fighting ("U.S. Says 14 Soldiers Killed In Three Days In Iraq") [ID 20497]

"The military reported the deaths of six soldiers on June 21, including five who were killed in a roadside bomb explosion in Baghdad. Four Iraqis - an interpreter and three civilians - also were reported killed in that attack. At least 3,545 U.S. troops have been killed in Iraq since the March 2003 invasion."

Document(s): Open document

22.06.2007 - Source: BBC News

Baquba: US helicopters kill 17 suspected al-Qaeda-linked gunmen ("'Al-Qaeda gunmen' killed") [ID 20499]

"Thousands of US troops have engaged in a fourth day of heavy fighting in the area, in what is known as Operation Arrowhead Ripper. [...] The offensive comes as the US command completed a build-up of 156,000 troops in Iraq, to help curb sectarian bloodshed and allow time for reconciliatory moves by the Shia-dominated government towards Sunni Arabs. The operation [...] is centred on Diyala province and its capital Baquba, just north of Baghdad. It is one of the biggest campaigns undertaken by US troops since the invasion in 2003."

Document(s): Open document

19.06.2007 - Source: Guardian

US troops kill at least 22 suspected al-Qaida ("US troops kill 22 in offensive against al-Qaida in Iraq") [ID 20613]

"About 10,000 US troops backed by helicopters and armoured vehicles began a major offensive against al-Qaida militants in Iraq today, killing at least 22 suspected insurgents. The raids - officially known as Operation Arrowhead Ripper - began with air attacks under cover of darkness in Baquba, the capital of Diyala province."

Document(s): Open document

18.06.2007 - Source: Guardian

At least 36 killed in battles between British troops and Iraqi militias ("Dozens dead as UK troops clash with Iraqi militias") [ID 20615]

Document(s): Open document

11.06.2007 - Source: BBC News

3 US soldiers die after a bomb attack causes a bridge near Baghdad to collapse ("Three die in Iraq bridge bombing") [ID 20671]

Document(s): Open document

08.06.2007 - Source: Guardian

Number of killed British soldiers in Iraq since the invasion in March 2003 reaches 150 ("British military death toll reaches 150") [ID 20673]

Document(s): Open document

08.06.2007 - Source: Guardian

Number of US soldiers killed since 2003 passes 3,500 ("US death toll passes 3,500") [ID 20674]

"The number of American military personnel who have died in Iraq since the 2003 invasion has passed the 3,500 mark after a soldier was killed by a roadside bomb in Baghdad. [...] The grim milestone came as at least 32 people were killed in three separate attacks throughout the country this morning. The US military continues to struggle to contain violence despite raising its total force to 150,000.

In Baghdad, the US death toll reached 3,501 according to the Associated Press, when a soldier was killed and two others were wounded on Wednesday when a roadside bomb exploded in the south-west of the city. The latest death was the 23rd among the US military during the first six days of June - an average of almost four a day. American troops deaths reached 127 in May, making it the third-deadliest month since the war started in March 2003."

Document(s): Open document

03.06.2007 - Source: BBC News

7 US soldiers killed in 6 separate incidents, most of them roadside bomb attacks ("US troops killed in Iraq bombings") [ID 20682]

Document(s): Open document

27.01.2007 - Source: BBC News

The US military says four US soldiers were abducted in an attack last week before being killed ("US army describes Iraq abductions") [ID 19549]

Document(s): Open document

25.01.2007 - Source: BBC News

US soldier jailed for 18 years for his part in the murder of three Iraqi detainees in 2006 ("US soldier jailed for Iraq deaths") [ID 19553]

Document(s): Open document

21.01.2007 - Source: BBC News

Baghdad: The first wave of extra US troops arrive to boost security, as twin bombs kill 7 people in the city ("Troops in as bombs strike Baghdad") [ID 19564]

Document(s): Open document

12.01.2007 - Source: BBC News

A US soldier is jailed for 18 years after pleading guilty to murdering 3 Iraqis in May 2006 ("US soldier jailed for Iraq deaths") [ID 18729]

Document(s): Open document

11.01.2007 - Source: BBC News

US President Bush orders 20,000 extra troops to Iraq, as part of a new strategy for tackling the conflict ("Bush boosts troop numbers in Iraq") [ID 18728]

Document(s): Open document

25.12.2006 - Source: Iran Focus

British troops killed 7 gunmen in a raid on a renegade police unit in the South; Baghdad: Car bomb that exploded next to an open-air market killed 9 civilians and wounded 11 ("British troops kill 7 gunmen in Iraq"), Autor: AP [ID 18182]

Document(s): Open document

25.12.2006 - Source: Iran Focus

Basra: British forces reportedly killed 7 gunmen and blew up the headquarters of the police serious crimes unit in a raid to rescue prisoners who were about to be killed ("UK forces kill 7, blow up Iraqi police HQ"), Autor: Reuters [ID 18183]

Document(s): Open document

22.12.2006 - Source: Guardian

8 US marines charged in connection with the kilings of 24 civilians in the town of Haditha in 2005 ("Marines charged over Iraq deaths") [ID 18184]

Document(s): Open document

15.12.2006 - Source: ReliefWeb

Red Crescent accuses US forces of attacks ("Iraqi Red Crescent accuses U.S. forces of attacks"), Autor: Reuters [ID 18066]

Document(s): Open document

08.12.2006 - Source: BBC News

US military says it has killed 20 al-Qaeda militants in raid in Iraq, but local officials say civilians died ("Iraq 'al-Qaeda militants' killed") [ID 18186]

Document(s): Open document

08.12.2006 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

US troops reportedly killed 20 suspected Al-Qaeda militants, including 2 women, during a ground and air operation in province of Salah Al-Din ("20 Al-Qaeda Militants Reportedly Killed In Iraq") [ID 18187]

Document(s): Open document

07.12.2006 - Source: Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty

At least 5 police officers reportedly killed, including the deputy chief of police in the central Saadun district of Baghdad ("Five Police Officers, 11 U.S. Troops Killed In Iraq") [ID 18188]

Document(s): Open document

07.12.2006 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Insurgents and militias welcomed the recommendations made in a report by the Iraq Study Group that indicated that US policy was not working and that its troops should be pulled out earlier than current projections suggest ("Fighters welcome report that advises withdrawal of US troops") [ID 18189]

Document(s): Open document

01.12.2003 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

More than 20,000 Iraqis dead since war started ("original document") [ID 10100]

"The number of people affected by the aftermath of the war is still rising as the Iraqi people continue to pay the price in death, injury and mental and physical ill health."

Document(s): original document

17.11.2003 - Source: BBC News

Increase of raids and arrests by US military ("original source") [ID 10099]

Document(s): original source

17.10.2003 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Civilian deaths caused by US forces ("Hearts and Minds:Post-war Civilian Deaths in Baghdad Caused by U.S. in Iraq") [#16849],  [ID 10101]

Document(s): Open document

08.10.2003 - Source: Integrated Regional Information Network

Concern over classification of prisoners ("IRIN: Concern over classification of prisoners") [ID 10102]

"In Iraq, the US military has categorised about 4,000 of its prisoners as "security detainees", a classification not covered by the Geneva Conventions, a set of international war rules agreed to by many countries, according to HRW. "A 'security detainee' is any individual who has committed a crime against US-led coalition forces," US Brig-Gen Janis Karpinsky, who is in charge of all detainees in Iraq, told IRIN in the capital, Baghdad. Also held by coalition forces, according to Karpinsky, are third-country nationals, "high-interest detainees" and enemy prisoners of war (POWs). Of those three classifications, only enemy POWs were covered by the Geneva Conventions, HRW said. [...] "Prisoners are taken into the system, and within 72 hours they’re given an initial review, and a determination is made on their status," Karpinsky said. "Depending on the category, they’re afforded the opportunity for a magistrate review, or a tribunal," she added."

Document(s): IRIN: Concern over classification of prisoners

23.07.2003 - Source: Amnesty International

Report highlighting continuing concerns in Baghdad (applicable international law, domestic law, use of force, arrest and detention, access to judges and lawyers) ("Memorandum on concerns relating to law and order") [#14588],  [ID 10105]

"Abdallah Khudhran al-Shamran, a Saudi Arabian national, was arrested with six others of different nationalities in al-Rutba in early April 2003 by US and allied Iraqi forces while travelling from Syria to Baghdad.

Following the arrest all were blindfolded with hands tied behind their backs and forced to walk for three hours. Upon reaching an unknown site, Abdallah Shamran alleged that he was subjected to beatings and electric shocks. Other torture methods reported included being suspended from his legs and having his penis tied. He also reported sleep deprivation through constant loud music. The arresting authorities accused him of being a "terrorist"."

Document(s): Open document

17.06.2003 - Source: Human Rights Watch

Report asserts that U.S. authorities failed to equip or adequately train the troops, primarily paratroopers of the 82nd Airborne Division, for the complex law enforcement tasks of military occupation ("Violent response:The U.S. army in Al-Falluja") [#13540],  [ID 10107]

Document(s): Open document