Iraq to probe contractor after shootout

BAGHDAD, Sept. 16 (UPI) -- The Iraqi government will investigate the deaths of at least nine civilians in a shootout after an attack on a U.S. State Department motorcade in Baghdad.

Security contractors opened fire in the streets following the midday Sunday attack, The Washington Post reported. The reported shootout occurred in the downtown Baghdad neighborhood of Mansour.

Iraqi officials later said the response by the private security guards involved excessive force and resulted in the death of innocent civilians. The private company was not identified.

An Iraqi Interior Ministry spokesman said Baghdad would probably take action against the company.

"The security company contractors opened fire randomly on the civilians," said Abdul-Karim Khalaf. "We consider this act a crime."

Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki called the incident a "criminal operation" and said he would shut down the company’s operations, Iraqi state TV reported.

At least 25 Iraqis died in several bombings Sunday and a police colonel was gunned down near his home in Afak.

Col. Karim Abdul Hussein was the third government official killed in the predominately Shiite town in the last five weeks, CNN reported.

At least six Iraqis died and 22 were wounded by a suicide bomber in a cafe in Tuz Khurmatu, south of Kirkuk, the Kuwait News Agency, KUNA, reported.

Bombs exploded in several Baghdad neighborhoods, claiming at least 18 lives and wounding 38 people, KUNA said.