Cubadebate

Traumatized Iraqi child covered in her parent's blood is removed from car by US soldier

Baghdad, January 20 (RHC)--The BBC published a series of photos on Wednesday illustrating the terrible consequences of what British military authorities say is the frequent overreaction of US soldiers at their checkpoints.

US Soldiers fired on a family of 7 when their car did not stop Tuesday evening at a checkpoint in the town of Tal Afar. Both parents sitting in the front were killed and two of the five children in the back injured.

A photographer with Getty News was on hand to record the scene as the soldiers removed the traumatized children, one of them covered with her parent's blood. A small boy of about six just stands bewildered as his older sister screams.

Although warning shots were fired, according to a US military statement, critics say that the killings at US checkpoints remain very high due to the lack of discipline and the panic that sets in with frightened, heavily armed US soldiers. It appears in this case that the darkness prevented the driver from clearly understanding what the soldiers at the checkpoint expected of him as he approached them.

Military officials extended their condolences for what they termed this "unfortunate incident" and said that an investigation was under way.