'They kept pumping bullets into us'

The Iraqi government is under increasing pressure to aggressively pursue the prosecution of American military personnel accused of killing Iraqis. The recent decision by Ricardo Urbina, a district judge, to dismiss charges against five security contractors accused of gunning down 17 Iraqis, including women and children, in September 2007 has re-ignited deep discord among Iraqis, and fueled suspicions that US personnel operate in a lawless void while in Iraq. An Iraqi investigation into the incident two years ago contradicted Blackwater claims that its contractors had fired in self-defense after coming under attack in central Baghdad. In January 2008, the Iraqi government barred Blackwater from providing security detail to US diplomatic staff in the country, citing the firm's use of excessive force.