Rape charges cast pall on Iraq security drive

BAGHDAD, Iraq — On Iraqi television screens this week, two visions of the Baghdad security plan have flickered in people's living rooms.

On Iraqiya, the station controlled by the Shiite-dominated government, Iraqi soldiers and police calmly patrolled the streets and searched cars for weapons, as Baghdad residents spoke approvingly of the newly safe streets.

On the Sunni-controlled stations such as Sharqiya and Baghdadiya, a 20-year-old Sunni Muslim woman calling herself "Sabreen," wearing a dark scarf covering all but her teary eyes, recounted how three of those same officers brutally raped her.

When U.S. and Iraqi forces planned their renewed security effort in Baghdad, they anticipated attacks from suicide bombers, mortar fire and sectarian gunmen. But this week, they are confronting a more formidable threat: the fallout from Sabreen's claims.

The charges are hotly disputed by Iraqi authorities. But the assertions alone threaten to turn people against the security effort, which is as dependent on public perception as it is on supremacy on the streets.

The claims reinforce some Sunnis' view that the new security plan, far from an even-handed effort to restore peace, is being executed by militia members determined to extend Shiite dominance in the new Iraq. Already, many Iraqis are wondering why Sunni strongholds have been among the first targets, but Sadr City, home to some of the most militant Shiite fighters, has been virtually untouched.

"Iraq has become the theater for conflict between regional and international entities, and the only victim is an innocent Iraqi citizen," Nasir Janabi, a member of a largely Sunni block in Parliament, told reporters Wednesday. "The ongoing incidents bring to light ... that there are dirty hands within the Security Plan."

Iraq developments


"Dirty" blast: Insurgents in Baghdad set off a chemical "dirty bomb" Wednesday, the second straight day that the new and deadly tactic was used against Iraqi civilians. At least three people were killed and dozens injured when a truck carrying canisters of chlorine gas exploded at a fuel station in Baghdad's Bayaa area.

Najaf bombings: Insurgent bombings killed 13 at the Old City in the Shiite holy city of Najaf.

U.S. casualties: The military on Wednesday announced the death of a U.S. soldier in northern Baghdad on Tuesday. The U.S. military death toll in the war stands at 3,149.

Helicopter shot down: A Black Hawk helicopter was shot down north of Baghdad by rocket-propelled grenades and small-arms fire, according to the military. None of the nine soldiers aboard suffered serious injuries.

British troop pullout: Prime Minister Tony Blair announced Wednesday that 1,600 British troops would return home from Iraq in the coming months, and a further 500 soldiers may be withdrawn by the end of summer. Britain has half the 14,000 non-U.S. troops in Iraq. Denmark said its 460 troops will also return home by August.

Seattle Times news services

Ahmed Samaraie, the head of the Sunni Endowment, said the incident showed that U.S. and Iraqi forces have not gone far enough to cleanse thugs from security forces.

"I think the Baghdad security plan in the beginning was good, but the negative aspect is, that the militias are penetrating these forces," Samaraie said in an interview.

Samaraie called for an international investigation into the rape allegations, but by the end of the day, Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, a Shiite, had sacked him from his post. (Samaraie disputes the prime minister's authority to fire him).

Gen. David Petraeus, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, ordered an inquiry into the case and appointed an investigating officer who already has begun collecting information.

In Iraq, rape is a subject so taboo that even its victims rarely come forward to report the crime. But word of its use as a weapon in this war is whispered often. In some cases, women who acknowledge being raped have been disowned or killed.

"In a country like Iraq, where personal honor and dignity plays an important role, perhaps more decisive than any political issue, I think it is a very important and significant issue in this security operation," said Wamidh Nadhmi, a professor of political science at Baghdad University.

U.S. officials took pains to distance themselves from the case on Wednesday. In a news conference, Army Maj. Gen William Caldwell said the matter was for the Iraqi government to deal with, and added: "It does not imply anything about the multinational force."

The story, as it has emerged in the media in recent days, is as follows: Police searched the woman's home on Sunday, and took her to a police station to question her about allegedly aiding insurgents. That evening, she sought treatment at the Ibn Sina hospital, which is staffed with American military medics. She was treated and released Monday morning.

On Monday, Al-Jazeera began airing an interview with the woman in which she recounted details of the alleged rape, including a claim that an officer told her, "We take whatever we want, and we kill whoever we do not want" even as she begged for her release.

A top Iraqi official dismissed her claims, saying she was suspected of working with insurgents and had been seen on one occasion cooking for "at least 10 men" by herself.

He also said U.S. troops were present at all times during her interrogation, which did not last more than 15 minutes.

The accused officers were cleared after a one-day investigation; Iraqi officials also released the woman's name and identifying details about her. Two other officials asserted the officers involved were Sunnis.

A key discrepancy has emerged over the woman's medical report. The Iraqi official, Brig. Gen. Qassim Musawi, said her medical report concluded that no sexual assault occurred. But American officials said they have not released their medical report and will not do so unless there is a legal proceeding.