Security guards fired randomly in Iraq

By Aseel Kami

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Iraqi authorities on Wednesday accused guards working for a foreign security company of firing randomly when they killed two women in the latest incident involving private security contractors that has outraged Iraqis.

Family members held a funeral service for the two women after the shooting on Tuesday at a Baghdad intersection involving guards working for Australian-run, Dubai-based Unity Resources Group (URG).

URG said in a statement it deeply regretted the incident, in which it said a car had failed to stop despite repeated warnings.

It has not yet answered phone calls or emails to its offices in Baghdad and Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates.

Baghdad security spokesman Brigadier-General Qassim Moussawi said the women were at an intersection in Baghdad's Karrada district when four four-wheel-drive vehicles drove up in convoy.

"It opened fire randomly, hitting an Oldsmobile vehicle being driven by a woman," Moussawi told Reuters, adding that the shooting was under investigation.

URG's statement said its security team was approached at speed by a vehicle which did not stop despite warnings that included hand signals, signal flares and a warning shot. A witness said the guards opened fire when the car edged forward.

URG has worked in Iraq since 2004 and its security escorts typically include Iraqi guards with foreign team leaders.