US Warplanes Attack Vehicle in Southern Iraq

Iraqi MPs Express Concern Over Maysan Province Strikes

by Jason Ditz, July 27, 2011

Last week’s mysterious US attacks in the Maysan Province of southeastern Iraq sparked considerable debate in the Iraqi Parliament, and more than a little panic on the streets of the provincial capital of Amara. It seems, however, that it was not an isolated incident.

Today, US warplanes once again launched an attack in the area, this time attacking a pick-up truck parked just east of the city of Amara, in Musharah Township. The attack destroyed the vehicle but caused no casualties.

As with the other attacks, the reason behind this is entirely unclear. US officials have offered no indication for where the sudden interest in the Maysan Province came from, and Iraqi parliamentarians are growing impatient.

MP Hassan al-Suneid, from the Iraqi Security and Defense Committee, said that a special team had been formed to study the growing US violations, which appear to be coming without any comment to the Maliki government either before or after. A report on the strikes is expected at some point Thursday.

Last 5 posts by Jason Ditz