Iraqi civilians were used as minesweepers by a US soldier, according to an allegation recorded in the Iraq war logs.
In a written statement, an eyewitness described how the leader of a US mounted cavalry platoon ordered Iraqi civilians to “clear the road of trash and debris” if he suspected a bomb might be hidden on their route.
“The witness claimed the incidents occurred during mounted patrols on several occasions in August and/or September 2005,” stated the 2006 report. It does not say whether any civilians lost their lives while clearing roads.
Related article: War logs challenge US prison all-clear
The incidents allegedly took place in the western Anbar Province, which at the time was one of Iraq’s most dangerous regions.
Related article: Allegations of prisoner abuse by US troops after Abu Ghraib
Investigations were expected to be carried out on the suspect named by the eyewitness and a court martial was possible, the log added.
However, the Bureau has discovered that the soldier was not court martialled, but “reprimanded” and returned to a military base in the US.
October 23rd, 2010at 3:57 am(#)
[...] Iraqi civilians used as minesweepers by a US soldier (Iraq War Logs) [...]
October 23rd, 2010at 11:43 pm(#)
[...] BIJ: “Iraqi civilians used as minesweepers by a US soldier” [...]
October 24th, 2010at 11:22 pm(#)
[...] Possible use of Iraqi civilians to “clean up” roadside “debris” (IED’s): IWL [...]
October 25th, 2010at 6:20 am(#)
Absolutely maddening…
September 30th, 2011at 2:39 am(#)
i never thought our government would do anything like that what so ever….