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Iraq

U.S. troops fire on car, killing 2 civilians

Shooting at northern Iraq checkpoint occured after the automobile failed to stop. Children in the backseat are unharmed.

[Photo by Chris Hondros, Getty Images] Tragedy in Iraq Two children are held by U.S. soldiers after their parents were shot and killed when their car failed to stop Tuesday in Tal Afar, Iraq. Click for series of photos

MOSUL, Iraq - U.S. soldiers opened fire on a car as it approached their checkpoint in northern Iraq, killing two civilians in the vehicle's front seats, the military said Wednesday. The children riding in the backseat were unhurt.

U.S. troops trying to stop the car used hand signals and fired warning shots before firing directly at the car, killing the driver and front seat passenger, a military statement said. The shooting occurred Tuesday in the city of Tal Afar, about 40 miles west of Mosul.

It wasn't clear from the military statement whether the two victims were the children's parents.

"Military officials extend their condolences for this unfortunate incident," the statement said.

The military said that so far this year, at least five suicide car bombers have struck Iraqi security troops and U.S. military patrols and checkpoints in the area.

[Last modified January 19, 2005, 07:35:49]