Private US security convoy opens fire in Baghdad; 2 Americans detained

By JERUSALEM POST STAFF
Iraqi soldiers detained two American security guards along with several other foreigners traveling in a private security convoy after they opened fire in Baghdad, wounding one woman, an Iraqi military spokesman said. US military and embassy officials had no immediate information Monday about the report, which follows a series of recent shootings in which foreign security guards have allegedly killed Iraqis. Last month, the Iraqi Cabinet sent parliament a bill to lift immunity for foreign private security companies that has been in effect since the US occupation began in 2003. Brig. Gen. Qassim al-Moussawi said the convoy was driving on the wrong side of the road in the central Baghdad neighborhood of Karradah when the shooting took place about midday. Those arrested included two American guards, along with 21 people from Sri Lanka, nine from Nepal and 10 Iraqis, the Baghdad military spokesman said.