"United States authorities must conduct an independent and thorough investigation into an attack yesterday (Monday) on a civilian vehicle that resulted in the deaths of seven women and children," the group said in a press release.

"Anyone suspected of unlawfully killing civilians must be brought to justice," the statement said.

Amnesty said that the duty of Washington and London to protect their own soldiers could not justify any violation of international humanitarian law.

"The military must implement measures that will safeguard the lives of civilians and other non-combatants and ensure that incidents like this are never repeated," it said.

US troops opened fire on Monday afternoon on a civilian vehicle at a military checkpoint at Najaf, 150 kilometers (95 miles) south of Baghdad killing seven people and wounding two.

SPACE.WIRE