Iraqi family sues UK over war deaths
IRNA
London, Oct 31, IRNA -- An Iraqi family, living in Manchester, north-west England, is launching legal action against the British government for causing the deaths of 10 relatives in an attack on Basra. The case is expected to make legal history, as it is believed to be the first time the Ministry of Defence has faced a civil claim for unlawful killing. It is also understood to be the first time action has been taken against the government for its role in a war. Lawyer for the Hamoodi family, Imram Khan said the action could lead to some redress for the family, as well as being a test of the legality of the whole Iraq conflict. "If the intelligence which resulted in the deaths of these 10 people was `bad`, and effectively the authorities went ahead and bombed this family, that would suggest to me overall that the war was illegal," the human rights lawyer said. Three generations of the Hamoodi family were killed when Anglo- American coalition forces destroyed their home in a bombing raid on April 5. The case is being brought by Mazin Hamoodi, who left Iraq to live in Manchester 27 years ago. He said that he first learned of the attack, which claimed the lives of his young nieces and nephews, their mother and a sister, watching al-Jazeera television station. He has since been back to Basra to visit his elderly father and see the wreckage of his former family home, saying that he felt absolutely devastated. According to Manchester online news, Armed Forces Adam Ingram has personally written to the family to extend sympathy and express the government deep regret over any loss of civilian life. "We took great care to try to avoid civilian casualties at all times. Regrettably, this is not always possible," Adams was quoted saying. The Defence Ministry said it was unable to comment on the legal action, but insisted that it was "confident our armed forces acted legally and properly on this occasion." HC/214 End
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