By NNN-KUNA
Washington : Blackwater, the US security company that brought heightened tension between the US and Iraq over a shootout in Baghdad, has defended the actions taken by its guards that led to the killing of 10 Iraqis, the US media quoted the firm as saying in a statement.
“Blackwater’s independent contractors acted lawfully and appropriately in response to a hostile attack in Baghdad on Sunday,” the North Carolina-based company said in a statement Tuesday.
It said the action was taken after the security guards came under attacks by insurgents while escorting a convoy carrying US embassy officials. Blackwater is tasked to protect staff at the US embassy.
“Blackwater regrets any loss of life, but this convoy was violently attacked by armed insurgents, not civilians, and our people did their job to defend human life,” it said.
The Iraqi government, expressing deep outrage and anger, gave its directions to cancel the licence of the company and the US Administration, in an effort to avoid any Abu Ghraib-like scandal, expressed regret over the loss of lives and said it would immediately open an investigation and would hold responsibility for the killing of civilians.