WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. military on Tuesday said it withdrew charges against a Marine accused of assaulting Iraqi civilians near Hamdania last year.

The military would not say why the assault charges against 2nd Lt. Nathan Phan were withdrawn or if the decision was related to a separate murder case involving Marines under Phan's command.

A Marine Corps spokesman said Phan may still face lesser nonjudicial administrative proceedings and punishment.

Phan was accused in August 2006 of beating and choking Iraqi civilians and placing a pistol in one victim's mouth on April 10 of that year in Hamdania. The military had said he had used "force likely to produce death or grievous bodily harm."

Phan was platoon leader of the troops charged with premeditated murder in the fatal shooting of an Iraqi man on April 26 in Hamdania, the Marines said.

The Marines said their leadership first learned of the April 10 assault incident in early May 2006 while investigating the April 26 murder. Proceedings against Marines in the murder case continue.