Iraq's Prime Minister Reverses Iraqi Army Decision To Detain U.S. Soldiers

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki

Iraqi Officer Was 'Out of Line,' Maliki Says -- Washington Post

Prime Minister Faults Detention of U.S. Troops After Shootout

An Iraqi officer who ordered the detention of U.S. soldiers last week after they killed three Iraqis while pursuing insurgents acted in error and was "out of line," Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said Saturday.

The officer "did not understand the agreement" governing U.S. military activities since American combat troops withdrew from Iraqi cities last month, Maliki said in an interview, adding that it "clearly states that American forces have the right to defend themselves, and that's what they did." Four Iraqis, including two children, also were wounded when U.S. forces returned fire and raided nearby houses after insurgents attacked their convoy.

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My Comment: It seems that some Iraqi officers were testing the limits to the agreement on U.S. rules of engagement when confronted by the enemy. Prime Minister Maliki did the right thing .... everything is too fragile In Iraq for there to be any doubts that the U.S. will respond when fired upon.