Baghdad, Iraq – Two U.S. soldiers have been charged with murdering an Iraqi last month near the northern city of Kirkuk, the military announced Thursday. Their commander was relieved of duty in connection with the allegations, a statement from the military said.
On Wednesday, four U.S. soldiers and their Iraqi interpreter were killed in eastern Baghdad when an improvised explosive device detonated near their patrol, officials said. At least 35 Iraqis also were found dead on Wednesday, either killed by roadside bombs or shot in the head.
The soldiers charged with premeditated murder were identified as Sgt. 1st Class Trey A. Corrales of San Antonio and Spec. Christopher P. Shore of Winder, Ga. Each faces one count of premeditated murder for allegedly killing an Iraqi citizen June 23, a statement from the military said. The investigation is continuing.
The two men were stationed near Kirkuk, an oil-rich city that has seen increasing violence and heightened tensions between ethnic groups. Military officials said the murder probe was launched based on information provided by other U.S. soldiers.
Lt. Col. Michael Browder, who is Shore’s and Corrales’ commander, was removed from his post because of the “totality of the circumstances surrounding this incident and due to a lack of confidence in his ability to command effectively,” the military statement said. Browder is not accused of committing a crime.
A U.S. Marine was found guilty Wednesday of conspiring to kidnap and kill an Iraqi man in 2006.
Meanwhile, Iraq’s main Sunni Arab political bloc announced Thursday that it will end its boycott of the parliament. The Accordance Front, which holds 44 seats in the 275-member legislative body, had pulled out last month to protest the dismissal of Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani, one of the group’s senior members. Mashhadani has been reappointed, Reuters reported.
