The number of times that private security contractors working for the U.S. military fired warning or deadly shots at Iraqis nearly doubled during the past year, according to the U.S. military command in Iraq. The records from Multi-National Force-Iraq illustrate the expanding role of private contractors in Iraq and highlight concerns about the growing reliance on civilian security workers who operate in a sometimes ambiguous legal area. In the year ending May 2007, there were 207 reported incidents of private contractors firing shots, up from 115 during the same period the year prior, according to the Multi-National Force-Iraq. The incidents resulted in four deaths of Iraqis in separate shootings. The records track incidents in which warning or deadly shots are fired at people or motorists who appear threatening. Military officials don’t know why shooting incidents increased, said Capt. Michael Greenberger, who released the data. FIND MORE STORIES IN: Iraq | US military | Multi-National Force The higher numbers seem to follow the increased use of private security contractors to protect U.S. supply convoys. Contractors protect more than 500 convoys per month, compared with about 200 to 300 a month two years ago, U.S. military records […]