**Iraq has said it regrets a US judge’s dismissal of all charges against five guards from US security firm Blackwater over the killing of 17 Iraqis in 2007.**Government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh said an Iraqi investigation showed the men had committed a “serious crime”.
The five had all pleaded not guilty to manslaughter. A sixth guard admitted killing at least one Iraqi.
The judge had said the US justice department had used evidence prosecutors were not supposed to have.
Mr al-Dabbagh said the Iraqi government “regrets and is disappointed by the US court’s decision”.
“Inquiries carried out by the Iraqi government clearly confirm that the Blackwater guards committed a crime and used weapons when there was no threat necessitating the use of force,” he said.
He said Iraq would “act forcefully and decisively to prosecute the Blackwater criminals”.
The killings, which took place in Nisoor Square, Baghdad, strained Iraq’s relationship with the US and raised questions about US contractors operating in war zones.