BASRA, Iraq, Nov. 17 (UPI) -- Shiite militias competing for control of southern Iraq have been targeting interpreters working with the British military, The Independent said Friday.
At least 21 interpreters have been shot and killed in the past three weeks, the newspaper said -- including 17 who died in a single abduction and mass killing. Three others are missing.
An Iraqi police officer said interpreters are being specifically targeted and the killings are becoming more common.
"First they get letters warning them to stop cooperating with the occupation forces, then they are killed," he said. "The interpreters are the major target now. Word spreads about who is working with the British -- neighbors, people in the street, police officers all see the interpreters. Their identities don't remain very secret and someone is going around trying to kill them and they're succeeding."
Maj. Charles Burbridge, a spokesman for the British Army, said authorities are aware of only one interpreter who has been killed.
