July 31, 2003	Thursday	Jumadi-ul-Awwal 30, 1424

BAGHDAD, July 30: Hundreds of protestors from an Iraqi tribe gathered on Wednesday at their chief’s house raided by US troops on Sunday in their search for Saddam Hussein, blasting the US tactics that left five Iraqis dead.

Dressed in traditional Arab garb of flowing gowns and black-and-white headdresses, the demonstrators took to the streets to slam the July 27 raid in the upscale Baghdad neighbourhood of Mansur and demand an apology from their American overseers, as well as a formal investigation.

“We reject this cowardly act against the Iraqi people,” read one banner, referring to the raid in which US troops opened fire on at least two vehicles driving past the tribal sheikh’s home at the time of the attack, according to witnesses.

A statement from two clans of the tribe called for an official apology from the United States forces and action to bring to justice those who committed the attack.

“Why, why did they attack? We demand an explanation,” said an irate Azeib Abud Hussein, who traveled from his hometown of Kut, 150 kilometres southeast of Baghdad, to join the demonstration.

Emir Rabia Mohammed al Habib, the owner of the raided home and head of the

Rabia tribe, said such violence by the Americans would help fuel pent-up rage against the beleaguered US-led troops already desperate to convince the Iraqi public of their desire to rebuild.

“If this continues, then the feelings of the Iraqis will develop to hatred, and that is not healthy for the Iraqi people or the Americans,” Habib told reporters.

“It could have been proper if Saddam Hussein was in the house,” he said.—AFP