Can someone tell me the difference between an injured/dead ordinary citizen and a militiaman/dissident once his gun has been taken by his mates? These guys don't wear any uniform or have ID cards. The culture of human shields is alien to the West. The Coalition would never, for example, set up a mortar firing position in a school nor attack a target knowing the risk of high innocent civilian casualties. Innocent? Does practically supporting militias make one an innocent civilian bystander?

Mac Allardyce, Maidstone, England

Ever heard of a clean war??

auke van der velde, ayvalik , turkey

The perpetrators of the violence are responsible for the deaths of innocents. Civilian casuallties are a part of war. History will show the strength and resolve of the American and British leaders who have the courage to face these dispicable cowards who can't stand on a battlefield anddfight. They hide among the civilian population. The Iranian people need to stand up against their leadership before their country becomes another casualty. God Bless the United States of America.

Giorgio Atzeni, Brooklyn, NY

Too many assumptions Nick. You have assumed that because an Iraqi politician said so, that civilians were killed. Newsflash - Iraqi politicians can lie! Especially one who has risen to a position of influence and power in a Mahdi area. Doh! didn't think of that one. Second you assume they were 'unarmed'. Why does being a civilian preclude them from being armed insurgents? Most insurgents are civilians. Third you claim that the 'chances of hitting the wrong target are so high.' How high exactly? Because I am impressed that you know exactly how many of those bombs missed their intended targets. Even the Iraqi councillor didn't claim the CF missed what they aimed for! I note you also do not foresee any improvement in accuracy. Are you a cutting edge scientist in the field of smart bomb guidance? Curious as to why you believe one Iraqi and ignore others who say civilians were killed in a cross-fire, which btw means that some of those unarmed civilians were firing back, shooting up Iraqis.

Ash, freetown,

Its the nature of guerrilla warfare, your a fighter if alive and once dead , they are transform into civilian casualties. But for real civilians its just a dangerous life to live in a battle zone.

Joe, Santa Rosa, USA

So the terrorists hide amongst the civilians and the military IS NOT allowed to go after them? Sounds like the passivity of NOT chasing a speeder. Break the laws and no punishment because someone might get hurt. Those who do evil or break the laws have nothing to fear following this logic. No wonder evil is growing.

Travis Peterson, Marshfield,

Suppression of insurgents is a legitimate goal of the coalition. But the deaths of unarmed civilians are to be avoided. In recent days, the number of civilian fatalities in Iraq and Afghanistan, at the hands of the coalition forces, seems to be on the rise. Most of these deaths would appear to be from air strikes. The deaths reported here would also appear to be from air strikes made at targets deep within a major urban centre, al-Amara. I fail to see the justification for such strikes when the chances of hitting the wrong target are so high. Unless there are significant improvement in accuracy, which I do not foresee, then these strikes must be banned immediately.

Nick Ferriman, Bangkok, Thailand