At least 33 foreigners have been detained in Baghdad after a shooting incident in which a woman was injured, say Iraqi government officials.
Among those said to be held are guards working for an Italian security firm.
The incident occurred as the firm's personnel tried to clear the way for their convoy through a traffic jam, an Iraqi security official told the BBC.
The detentions come after the Iraqi government vowed to crack down on the conduct of private PKK rebels 'free Turkish troops' ...
Seized Iraq tribal chiefs freed ...
Security guards 'kill two Iraqis' ...
First cholera death hits Baghdad ...
US forces battle Baghdad militia ... security firms.
In the United States, an investigation is under way after 17 Iraqi civilians were shot dead by guards working for the North Carolina-based Blackwater firm on 16 September.
Investigation
The latest shooting incident occurred on Monday.
"Iraqi soldiers arrested some men of an Italian PSD [private security detail] after they opened fire randomly on citizens in Karrada in which a woman was wounded," Brigadier General Qasim Ata of the Iraqi army told AFP news agency.
"They are in custody now and the incident is under investigation."
Two Americans said to have been working as guards for the firm are among those arrested in Baghdad, unnamed Iraqi officials told news agencies.
Also in detention are some of the foreign workers - reported to include Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis, and an Indian person - whom the guards were escorting through Karrada district when the shooting incident allegedly happened.
It is unclear at present which of the detainees is accused of the shooting.
"This is a message to security companies that no one is above the law," Iraqi government spokesman Ali al-Dabbagh told Reuters news agency.
Mr Dabbagh said those held would appear before an investigating judge in Baghdad on Tuesday.
"Those involved will be put on trial and the innocent will be released," he was quoted as saying.
In the wake of the Blackwater controversy, the Iraqi government promised it would crack down on the activities of the multiple foreign security contractors operating in the country.
At the end of last month it approved a draft law revoking their immunity from prosecution.
(BBC)
<< Back