Civilians are prohibited to Travel beyond the Green Zone

US announced Tuesday a suspension of all land travel by civilian officials and US diplomats based in Iraq outside the heavily guarded Green Zone in Baghdad. This is in line with the growing public outrage on the alleged killing by Blackwater USA of civilians.

The move was made despite Iraq’s government backing down from its statements made Monday. The government said Blackwater’s license had been revoked and ordered its staff of 1,000 to leave.

The details of the shootings over the weekend were not released yet but New York Times had reported that a preliminary investigation of Iraq’s Interior Ministry revealed that the violence began when security guards of Blackwater shot the car that did not stop when called by police. It is reported that a couple and their baby were killed.

According to Blackwater, the guards responded to militants who started firing at the personnel while Iraqi police said that a bomb exploded near the convoy of a State department which led to the Blackwater guards shooting.

The Iraqi report has not been seen by State Department Edgar Vasquez, but stressed that they are investigating the matter. In line with the investigation, an order was made to prohibit US officials from travelling outside the Green Zone. This means that the officials will not be able to visit construction sites funded by the US unless by means of a helicopter. There is no definite time on when the suspension would expire.