US to send more private contractors to Iraq [View all]
Source: Aljazeera
December 24, 2014 2:08PM ET
The U.S. government is preparing to boost the number of private contractors in Iraq as part of President Barack Obama's growing effort to beat back Islamic State militants threatening the Baghdad government, a senior U.S. official said.
The presence of contractors in Iraq, particularly private security firms, has been controversial since a series of violent incidents during the U.S. occupation, culminating in the September 2007 killing of 14 unarmed Iraqis by guards from Blackwater security firm.
Three former guards were convicted in October of voluntary manslaughter charges and a fourth of murder in the case, which prompted reforms in U.S. government oversight of contractors.
The preparations to increase the number of contractors — who can be responsible for everything from security to vehicle repair and food service — seemingly underscores the Obama administration's growing commitment in Iraq. When U.S. troops and diplomats venture into war zones, contractors tend to follow, doing jobs once handled by the military.
Read more: http://america.aljazeera.com/articles/2014/12/24/us-contractors-iraq.html
Of course we will.
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