BAGHDAD (Reuters) - A U.S. helicopter gunship has fired at a crowd of Iraqis swarming round a burning U.S. vehicle in a Baghdad street and witnesses and officials say 13 people have been killed and 61 wounded in violence in the area.
In the rebel-held city of Ramadi, west of Baghdad, U.S. tanks and helicopters killed 10 Iraqis, including women and children, when they opened fire on a residential district, a doctor said. A U.S. military spokesman did not immediately have any information on the firing.
The increase in violence accompanied new U.S. military offensives aimed at retaking control of insurgent-held areas before elections due in January.
Witnesses said a U.S. helicopter gunship fired at a group of Iraqis, including children, who were crowding round a Bradley fighting vehicle which had been set ablaze. Television images showed the Iraqis running for cover as the firing broke out.
The U.S. Army said the helicopter opened fire after four U.S. soldiers were lightly wounded in the attack on the vehicle.
“After evacuating the wounded, air support destroyed the Bradley fighting vehicle to prevent looting and harm to the Iraqi people,” the U.S. military said in a statement.
Health Ministry officials said 13 Iraqis were killed and 61 wounded in the violence in Haifa Street, although it was not clear how many were killed in the helicopter strike.
One of those killed was a Palestinian who worked as a producer for the Dubai-based Arabic TV channel Arabiya and for Saudi Arabian channel Ikhbariya, Arabiya and friends said.
Witnesses said he was hit by U.S. helicopter fire. An Iraqi Reuters cameraman was also wounded.
US helicopter fires at Iraqi crowd
So the Amerikkkans in Iraq for the people of Iraq and to liberate iraqi people. What a lie if there ever was one they only care for themselves and this incident prooves that. this masscre of people by helicopte gunhips reminds us of those other terrorist squatters Israel who use similar methods of firing at civillians from helicopter gunships!
the only good occupier is a dead one!
