Private security firms call for more firepower in combat zone

[kskiska]

Coalition forces do little to help as bodyguards protecting foreign workers are targeted by deadly insurgents


Private military companies guarding foreign contractors in Iraq are demanding the right to carry more powerful weapons after the deaths of a number of bodyguards during a series of major battles with Iraqi insurgents.

At least six former special forces soldiers have been killed in Iraq since the beginning of the month, and there has been mounting concern within the industry that coalition forces have been unable or unwilling to come to their aid when they have been under fire.

The proposed move is likely to add to concerns about the accountability and regulation of private military companies in Iraq as well as illustrating the "grey zone" between their formal role as bodyguards and the realities of operating during an insurgency, when the whole country can become a combat zone.

(snip)

There are an estimated 15,000 private bodyguards operating inside Iraq, of which about 6,000 are armed, making them the second biggest contributor to coalition forces after the Pentagon. The number is set to increase even further after the proposed handover of sovereignty to an Iraqi administration on June 30.

more…
http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1193871,00.html

[sam sarrha]

1. looking more like Starship Troopers ... "You can become and Citizen" in

in the Troopers in just 2 tours of duty in the privatized "Troopers!!!

[SodoffBush]

2. America's love of the gun, come home to roost

It's the "Christian" way.

[madrchsod]

3. screw them

they get what they deserve. they have no standing under the rules of war. if the iraqi`s want to kill them there`s nothing anyone can do about it untill the iraqi`s a legal system and have a government that is recoginzed by the united nations. they get what they deserve and should expect nothing less

[Eye and Monkey]

4. What do they want to carry - RPGs?

[Trajan]

5. Hot damn ! ...

Its GUN NUT HEAVEN in Iraq: just like Somalia and Afghanistan ...

Get a good look at Second Amendment nirvana, cause its coming to YOUR town too ....

Can I borrow an Abrams tank ? ..... please ???

[teryang]

6. Mercenaries are unlawful combatants

Legally, they are no different than terrorists. They have no state authority and don't wear uniforms, yet they engage in combat in someone elses country.

The American soldier held by armed militants isn't a "hostage," he's a prisoner of war. When we say we won't negotiate for his release, we are making a mistake. Even Israel conducts such negotiations.

[daleo]

7. This sounds like the "marine rescued off the roof by contractors" story

If so, the "marine" is now a "bodyguard".

"The incident which led to the demand for more firepower began at 6pm on April 6 in the house where the five Hart Group bodyguards were living in Kut. The men were attacked by a large group, believed to be followers of the Shia cleric Moqtada al-Sadr. Desperate calls were made to the local coalition forces. A Ukrainian unit finally answered and promised assistance. It never came. Coalition forces in Baghdad were also contacted and a rescue attempt was promised, but again it never came.

The house's defences were breached and the five bodyguards retreated to the roof. The Iraqis fatally wounded Mr Branfield but the four surviving men continued to defend the roof against small arms and grenade attack for more than six hours. During this time there were at least six promises that a rescue mission was on its way. As dawn broke the four surviving members of the team managed to escape. "

[Dover]

8. So basically, the corporations are acting as countries with their own army

I hope the coalition soldiers take note of who and what they are really fighting to defend. And the Pentagon defends it's own existence as an arm of the defense industrial complex along with all the other corporate "sponsors" of this invasion.


And quite frankly, other countries who are poo-pooing this scavenger mission are only pissed they weren't given a fair share of the booty.