After several recent attacks claiming the lives of civilians in Iraq, Amnesty International Friday called for an "urgent inquiry" into the incidents. Specifically, recent press reports say that at least 44 civilians were killed Friday during an attack by US forces on other targets near Fallujah, and 13 civilians were killed last week when US troops fired into a Baghdad crowd from a helicopter; a US army spokesperson stated that the latter was in response to enemy fire.

Amnesty is concerned about the possible violation of international law on the protection of civilians and is seeking clarification of the legal responsibilities of the multinational troops stationed in Iraq. Read the Amnesty press release here.