- Title: IRAQ: U.S. forces kill two civilians in helicopter attack in Basra say witnesses
- Date: 16th June 2011
- Summary: MAN STANDING BESIDE DESTROYED PALM TREE AND SPEAKING ABOUT THE INCIDENT (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) AN EYE WITNESS, ABU ALI, SAYING: "Those people are farmers, they came early this morning to the farm to reap the plants. They were working when a U.S. helicopter attacked them with four missiles, killing a man and members of his family. Three people were critically wounded and tak
- Embargoed: 1st July 2011 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: Iraq, Iraq
- Country: Iraq
- Topics: Conflict,International Relations,Defence / Military
- Reuters ID: LVA3JXHN5I6UEPBGY5J8P22R10TJ
- Story Text: Two civilians were killed and two others wounded when a U.S. Apache helicopter bombarded a farm near the southern Iraqi city of Basra, witnesses said on Wednesday (June 15).
They said that the incident, which took place at a farm in the Karma area about 20 kilomteres (12 miles) north of Basra, came after a missile attack against Basra airport where the U.S military forces are based.
Witnesses added that those who were killed in the attack were a woman and her son who were at the farm at the time.
"Those people are farmers, they came early this morning to the farm to reap the plants. They were working when a U.S. helicopter attacked them with four missiles, killing a man and members of his family. Three people were critically wounded and taken to the hospital and a man died," said Abu Ali, a witness.
U.S. forces were unavailable at the scene to comment.
U.S. forces officially ended combat operations in Iraq last August ahead of a scheduled U.S. troop withdrawal at the end of this year. American troops are now mainly involved in a support and training role, and helping Iraqi security forces in counter-terrorism operations. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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