Baghdad: A US aircraft fired on suspected government-allied Sunni paramilitaries planting a bomb, killing one and wounding two, the US said, the latest sign of trouble in a programme that has been a pillar of the American strategy to stabilise Iraq.
Iraq's Prime Minister said on Friday he was not ready to give up on the paramilitary programme, known variously as Sons of Iraq and Awakening Councils, but warned he would not tolerate subversives in the ranks despite the groups' role in helping stabilise the country.
A US statement said the airstrike was launched on Thursday night after four gunmen, allegedly members of the Sons of Iraq, were seen planting a roadside bomb near Taji, site of a large US air base about 20 kilometers north of Baghdad.
Sons of Iraq are Sunnis who broke with the insurgents and now work with the army and police to provide security in their areas.
US commanders credit the more than 90,000 Sons of Iraq with playing a major role in turning the tide against Al-Qaida and other Sunni insurgents following the US troop surge of 2007.
But the Shiite-led government is suspicious of the groups because they include many ex-insurgents. Shiite leaders also believe some of the members are infiltrators who are still working for the insurgents.