33 killed at Iraq gift giveaway

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/13254764.htm

BAGHDAD, Iraq - The third Thanksgiving since U.S. troops entered Iraq was a grim one Thursday as a car bomb exploded outside a hospital where U.S. soldiers were handing out teddy bears and food to children. More than 30 people were killed and about 40 were wounded.

The first attack came in Al-Mahmudiyah, in an area called the ``triangle of death,'' as U.S. civil affairs specialists were inspecting the Al-Mahmudiyah Hospital around 10:30 a.m. in preparation for making improvements, said Lt. Col. Barry Johnson.

Civil affairs soldiers often bring toys for children when meeting with the community, Johnson said. As the soldiers stood outside the main entrance and began handing the toys out to children who had gathered around them, a suicide bomber approached the hospital and blew himself up.

At least 33 people died in that attack, including four children and two women, a military official in Al-Mahmudiyah said. An additional 23 people were injured, the official said.

[noamnety]

1. If the US had any decency

They'd put out a policy letter forbidding soldiers from distributing toys (or candy) directly to children.

There have beeb multiple instances of children being blown up because they've been lured to US troops with toys and candy. It's not like this is a new isolated occurance - it's entirely predictable.

There have been cases of soldiers knowing exactly what they're doing - luring kids to the troops to deter attacks - which is a war crime (using human shields).

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=104&topic_id=4097661#4107311

[leftchick]

2. they found booby trapped dolls yesterday too

I can't find the lonk. the dolls were like the ones the US is passing out with a little surprise explosive inside. I hope the US gets its shit together and gives up this pointless PR campaign that gets kids killed.

[Mika]

3. Didn't some Israeli soldiers get busted for doing that also?