Iraqi Assails U.S. for Strikes on Civilians

NYT reported Prime Minister Nuri Kamal al-Maliki lashed out at the American military on Thursday, denouncing what he characterized as habitual attacks by troops against Iraqi civilians. As outrage over reports that American marines killed 24 Iraqis in the town of Haditha last year continued to shake the new government, the country's senior leaders said that they would demand that American officials turn over their investigative files on the killings and that the Iraqi government would conduct its own inquiry.

If what it appears happened at Haditha really happened, those responsible should definitely be punished. Whether by us or by the Iraqis is a separate matter

In his comments, Mr. Maliki said violence against civilians had become a "daily phenomenon" by many troops in the American-led coalition who "do not respect the Iraqi people."

f he has forces that can take over the job, we would be more than happy to ask our forces to stand down.

"They crush them with their vehicles and kill them just on suspicion," he said. "This is completely unacceptable."