US military admits killing "non-combatant" in Iraq

BAGHDAD, June 28 (Reuters) The US military, in the spotlight over murder charges against its troops accused of killing Iraqis, said it had killed a ''non-combatant'' during a raid in which an al Qaeda militant was detained today.

A statement said US-led forces killed the civilian near the violence-racked city of Baquba, 65 km northeast of Baghdad, as troops were securing the house of the alleged militant.

''While securing the initial target, Coalition forces noticed an individual acting suspiciously at a nearby house. They assessed him as an imminent threat, engaged and killed him. He was later determined to be a non-combatant,'' it said.

The statement was unusual in drawing attention to the incident.

For three years since the US invasion, Iraqis have often complained of civilians being killed by US troops and said those complaints were rarely investigated thoroughly.

US commanders have ordered a tightening up of procedures to avoid civilian injuries in recent months. The new Iraqi government, following US investigations into the deaths of 24 people at Haditha, has demanded US troops be accountable.

The statement said: ''Multiple women and children were present at the raid sites. None were harmed and all were returned to their homes once the troops ensured the area was secure.'' The statement did not say whether an investigation had been opened, but said: ''Coalition forces take every precaution to mitigate risks to civilians while in pursuit of terrorists, and deeply regret any injury or death to non-combatants.'' Twelve Americans have been charged with murder this month.

Another was charged with voluntary manslaughter on Sunday.

US defence officials say it is a coincidence that so many murder charges have been brought this month when only a handful had been brought in the three previous years of war.

REUTERS SHR RS2048