Iraq gunmen kill eight civilians

The coalition is investigating if civilians are being targeted

Gunmen have killed eight people in three shooting incidents in Iraq.

Two civilians, one Dutch and one German, were killed by gunmen in an attack near the town of Hilla, 100km (60 miles) south of Baghdad. Two Iraqis were also killed in the incident.

Three Iraqi policemen were shot dead in the northern city of Mosul after they were fired on from a passing vehicle.

And earlier a female Iraqi translator working for the US army was shot dead as she drove to the main US military base in Mosul.

The attacks followed the killing of four American missionaries in Mosul on Monday.

These deliberate attacks show a total disregard for innocent human life Brig Gen Carter Ham US commander, Mosul

The BBC's Barbara Plett in Baghdad says the coalition is investigating whether Western civilians are being targeted or have been caught up in more general lawlessness.

The violence also came as the United Nations refugee agency said the situation in Iraq was still too dangerous to send Iraqi refugees home against their will.

'Cynical targeting'

"These deliberate attacks show a total disregard for innocent human life," Brig Gen Carter Ham, the commander of US forces in Mosul, said in a statement.

"Killing and injuring innocent Iraqi citizens shows the murderous and cynical intent of terrorists to undermine freedom and progress in Iraq."

Reports quoting both Iraqi and US military officials say the Germans were killed when unknown gunmen fired at their car in the third attack on Western civilians in eight days.

They were apparently water experts working on a development project.

A spokesman for the UN High Commissioner for Refugees said the Iraqi minister for migration had asked the agency to urge countries not to encourage or force refugees to return to Iraq until the situation has improved.

The agency says there is still a general climate of instability and insecurity, with increased numbers of attacks against Iraqis perceived to be supporting or collaborating with the US-led administration.

Improving the security situation in Iraq was rated as the top priority for 85% of Iraqis questioned for an opinion poll carried out for the BBC and other broadcasters that was published on Tuesday.