US troops accused of theft during house raids

BESIDE the prisoner-abuse scandal, there is another problem Iraqis say they suffer at the hands of US troops — theft of money and property during raids.

Over the past 14 months, US forces have carried out thousands of raids on homes across the country, routinely seizing money, jewellery and other property from Iraqis suspected of "anti-coalition activities".

Items are confiscated on suspicion they could be used to finance attacks against US-led forces.