Following the urging of Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki, the U.S. State Department today announced a joint commission with the Iraqi government on investigating the partnership the American military holds with Blackwater USA, an independent security firm accused of killing 10 Iraqi civilians in a firefight Sunday.
The commission will closely examine how American and Iraqi forces have worked with independent security contractors and then provide recommendations based on the findings.
The creation of the commission follows public outcry from the Iraqi government and civilians. Iraqi officials claim the Security firm started a firefight Sunday which resulted in casualties. American officials claim the convoy was under fire form about eight insurgents and that Blackwater officers had no choice but to protect the American envoy and fire back.
The White House is closely monitoring the situation and refused to comment any further, citing the Department of State’s investigation into the matter.
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