U.S. Tactics in Iraq May Backfire, Critics Say: "'The increasing American violence may lead to the killing or arrest of some resistance fighters,' said Dr. Wamid Nadmi, a professor of political science at Baghdad University. 'But the other side is this will increase the people's rage against the Americans, especially those people whose homes are being destroyed or family members are being killed.'
...But in at least three instances in Tikrit and one in Baghdad, families of suspected guerillas were hauled out of their homes moments before tanks and helicopters reduced them to rubble. Amnesty International on Thursday condemned the Israeli-style tactic.
'The U.S. government should clarify whether it has officially permitted house demolitions as a form of collective punishment or deterrence,' said the group in a letter to the U.S. government. If so, 'it would constitute a clear violation of international humanitarian law.' "
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