U.S. to investigate Iraq rape

BAGHDAD, Iraq – The U.S. military on Wednesday weighed into the politically explosive case of a Sunni woman allegedly raped last weekend by three Iraqi policemen, announcing its own investigation after the Shiite-run government dismissed her allegations as false.

The announcement, made to reporters by the chief military spokesman, appeared aimed at containing the growing political storm. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s exoneration of the three officers after an investigation lasting less than a day has enflamed Sunni-Shiite tensions over a case that strikes at the heart of Iraqi attitudes toward protection of women.

Al-Maliki, a Shiite, stoked the political flames further Wednesday by firing a top Sunni official who called for an international investigation into the woman’s allegations, which were broadcast Monday by satellite television stations across the Middle East.

Al-Maliki insists the charge was fabricated by Sunni politicians and extremists to discredit the police and the ongoing security crackdown in Baghdad. He announced a “reward” for the officers who were implicated.

Regardless of the truth, many Sunnis considered the government’s speed in clearing the policemen as an insult to their community. Al-Maliki announced an investigation Monday evening and cleared the officers the following morning.

With the issue threatening to spiral out of control, the U.S. military announced Wednesday that Gen. David Petraeus, the new top U.S. commander in Iraq, had ordered his own investigation, appointing an American officer to begin collecting evidence.

The 20-year-old woman told Arabic language television stations that she was detained Sunday by Iraqi police at her west Baghdad home and accused of aiding Sunni insurgents. She was then taken to a police garrison where she was raped by the three policemen before American soldiers arrived and took her away, she said.

The prime minister’s office e-mailed news organizations what it said was a U.S. medical report indicating no signs of rape.

The one-page English language form indicated blood and other tests had been performed and included a handwritten note in English stating “no lacerations” or “obvious bruising.” The word rape was not used.

U.S. helicopter downed

Also Wednesday, a U.S. official said ground fire apparently downed a Black Hawk helicopter. All nine aboard the aircraft were rescued.

Military officials worry extremists may have recently gained more access to firepower such as shoulder-fired anti-aircraft rockets and heavy machine guns – and more expertise to use them. The Black Hawk would be at least the eighth U.S. helicopter to crash or be taken down by hostile fire in the past month.

Lt. Col. Christopher Garver, a U.S. military spokesman, said initial reports indicated the chopper was brought down by “small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades” north of Baghdad, but gave no further details. All nine aboard were taken away on a rescue helicopter, he said.

Chlorine-gas truck hit

In Baghdad, a pickup truck carrying chlorine gas cylinders was blown apart, killing at least five people and sending more than 55 to hospitals gasping for breath and rubbing stinging eyes, police said.

On Tuesday, a bomb planted on a chlorine tanker left more than 150 villagers stricken north of the capital. More than 60 were still under medical care on Wednesday. Chlorine causes respiratory trouble and skin irritation in low levels and possible death with heavy exposure.

In Washington, two Pentagon officials said the tactic has been used at least three times since Jan. 28, when a truck carrying explosives and a chlorine tank blew up in Anbar province. More than a dozen people were reported killed.