US/Iraq

US troops shoot TV producer

Article published on the 2009-01-03 Latest update 2009-01-03 17:30 TU

US marines stand guard in Baghdad
(Credit: Reuters)

US troops in Baghdad shot and critically wounded a 25-year-old Iraqi television producer after she failed to heed warning rounds fired by soldiers near a checkpoint in the Karada neighbourhood. Hadeel Emad had failed to respond to the warning shots because she was hearing impaired, according to a spokeman for her employer Beladi TV.

Emad is in serious condition after troops shot her in the chest, spokesman Moshen al-Darraji told French wire service AFP. "The bullet entered her chest and came out of her back," he said.

"Her kidney was removed in emergency surgery and her liver and stomach have been damaged," he added.

Beladi TV is owned by former prime minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari.

The station issued a statement condemning the shooting as a "brutal crime". It also said that Emad had married just one week ago.

The US military refused to provide details on the incident, referring all inquiries to Iraqi operations command.