International   

After criticism, U.S. softens tactics in Iraq

Ewen MacAskill

American soldiers, marines have been ordered to be less trigger-happy

Washington: U.S. forces are switching tactics in Iraq to take a less confrontational approach to civilians in response to criticism from British military commanders that they have been too tough.

American commanders are ordering marines and soldiers manning checkpoints or travelling in convoys to be less trigger-happy. Instead of firing into the air or at civilians to warn them off as they approach checkpoints or convoys in cars, troops nervous about suicide bombers are being encouraged to use strobe lights and other means to signal that they should slow down or back off. Troops are also being told to be less rough during searches.

Lieutenant-General Peter Chiarelli, commander of day-to-day operations in Iraq, has sent his commanders articles from the British press that criticised U.S. forces for being unnecessarily tough. A spokeswoman for the U.S.-led coalition forces in Baghdad have refused to confirm the new approach: ``This falls under rules of engagement and is completely classified.''

But Gen. Chiarelli told the New York Times from Baghdad: ``I don't think it hurts us to take a look at it, and ask some tough questions about how we are perceived and how we act as soldiers here.''

He added: ``It falls in line with what I'm trying to do in urging a higher level of understanding and cultural sensitivity.''

There have been persistent complaints from the British military and diplomatic corps since the immediate aftermath of the invasion of Iraq in 2003 that the U.S. approach to policing is too heavy handed when compared with the relaxed British approach in the south of the country. U.S. forces have remained on high alert, whereas British forces scale their responses up or down according to the current assessment of risk.

In January this year the criticism came to a head when a serving British officer, Brigadier Nigel Aylwin-Foster, said U.S. tactics alienated Iraqis and exacerbated problems for the coalition.

In an article in Military Review, he said U.S. officers displayed cultural ignorance, self-righteousness and unproductive management.

Gen. Chiarelli, who took over his new post in January, has established a reputation for thinking beyond the simple use of force.

He said: ``We risk the chance of creating an insurgent, of creating somebody who gets so disgusted with the quote unquote occupiers that they get off on the wrong side.'' — © Guardian Newspapers Limited 2006

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Villepin defiant, will not step down
Terrorist tag removed
Curbs on free expression
After criticism, U.S. softens tactics in Iraq
No regrets, says Cheney
Indian-origin Sunita Williams to make maiden space expedition
Improvement needed in SAFTA: Menon
Arcelor offer but with a rider
Indian housemaids in Qatar better off now
Bahrain to scrap sponsorship system
Executed Indian to be buried in Kuwait

Copyright © 2006, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu