Soldier's friendly fire Iraq death a 'tragic' mistake

Kurdish allies' friendly fire killing of a Canadian special forces soldier in Iraq in March was a "tragic case of mistaken identity," a Canadian military investigation concluded Tuesday.

Sergeant Andrew Doiron was killed and three members of his unit were injured on March 6 when Kurdish troops mistakenly opened fire on them at a checkpoint near the frontlines of the fight against Daesh group.

Brigadier General Michael Rouleau, head of Canada's special forces, told a press conference this was "a tragic case of mistaken identity... compounded by fatigue and other factors."

Rouleau, citing a heavily-redacted report on the incident, said Doiron had advised the Kurds in advance that his team would be coming to the checkpoint on the night in question.

But unbeknownst to the Canadian sergeant, a new group of Kurdish troops who had not received his message had taken up the position.

The Kurds were also "legitimately" on edge after Daesh group deadly attack on the outpost the previous day, and were likely spooked by a pack of wild dogs that began barking when the Canadians appeared out of the darkness, Rouleau said.

Attempts to identify themselves in English to the Kurds were met with sniper fire, he said. A machine gunner also shot at the Canadians who ran for cover while pleading with the Kurds to cease firing.

The Kurdish sniper "was looking at Canadians but saw what he thought was Daesh infiltration of his position," Rouleau said.

Doiron later died at a field hospital. Two others in his team were evacuated to Canada for medical care and are "doing well," Rouleau said. A third soldier has recovered from minor injuries and remains on duty in Iraq.

No charges or sanctions are expected against the Kurdish sniper, said Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Bolduc, commander of the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service.

Canada has around 600 personnel, including about 70 special forces operators, in Iraq as part of a US-led coalition aiding local forces in the battle against Daesh jihadists.
Source: AFP