Iraqi soldier allegedly shot 2 U.S. troops

[unhappycamper]

Capt. Rowdy Inman, left, and Cpl. Benjamin Portell were allegedly shot by an Iraqi soldier. The suspect has ties to militant groups.


Iraqi soldier allegedly shot 2 U.S. troops
By Qassim Abdul-Zahra - The Associated Press
Posted : Saturday Jan 5, 2008 10:02:21 EST

BAGHDAD — An Iraqi soldier allegedly fatally shot two American troops while they were patrolling together north of the capital, the U.S. military and an Iraqi official said Saturday. The Iraqi official said the suspect has links to militant groups.

Three other U.S. soldiers and a civilian interpreter were wounded in the Dec. 26 attack, the military said in a statement. The shooting occurred as American and Iraqi soldiers were trying to establish a combat outpost in Ninevah province in northern Iraq.

According to Brig. Mutaa Habib Jassim al-Khazrachi, commander of the Iraqi army’s 2nd Division, an initial investigation has indicated that the Iraqi soldier has links to local militant groups.

Al-Khazrachi said the shooting occurred in eastern Mosul as American and Iraqi troops were in a firefight with gunmen.

The Iraqi soldier who allegedly opened fire fled but was identified by other Iraqi army personnel and captured, the military said. Two Iraqi soldiers are being held in connection with the shooting, the statement said.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_iraqshooting_080105/