I’m guessing the soldiers involved will be whisked out of country ASAP, but I could be wrong. No matter, this isn’t good.

Iraq’s prime minister on Sunday denounced a pre-dawn American raid in southern Iraq in which two Iraqis were killed, saying his government intends to prosecute U.S. soldiers who carried out the operation.

The incident marked the first time Iraq’s government has called for the prosecution of U.S. soldiers and sets the stage for a showdown between the two countries at a time when sectarian violence appears to be spiking.

Since the implementation this year of a bilateral security agreement, U.S. forces have been barred from conducting unilateral operations and can no longer detain Iraqis for long periods. The agreement says American forces can be prosecuted in Iraqi courtrooms for grave, premeditated crimes committed off base and off duty — criteria that U.S. officials have said effectively means American soldiers will never face Iraqi justice.

But the language of the agreement is vague, U.S. and Iraqi officials have said, which could make this a test case. If that happens, it may become an irritant in U.S.-Iraqi relations and could exacerbate hostility toward American soldiers at a time when extremists are vowing to step up attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq. American officials, speaking anonymously, suggested Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s move could be politically motivated. National elections are to be held next winter.

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