US security contractor Blackwater was involved in at least 195 shootings in Iraq since 2005, according to a congressional report.
A report prepared by the House of Representatives Committee on Oversight and Government Reform released details from Blackwater's own reports of multiple incidents involving Iraqi casualties and said in most instances Blackwater fired first.
The report said Blackwater had fired 122 of its staff in Iraq over the past three years for a number of infractions, including 28 weapons-related incidents and 25 cases involving drugs and alcohol violations.
The report also condemned the State Department's oversight of the company.
State Department contractor Blackwater, under investigation for the deaths of 11 Iraqis on September 16th, will answer questions about that incident and others at a congressional hearing today.
Senior State Department officials will also be questioned by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which is examining whether the growing use of military contractors undermines US efforts in Iraq.
In another development, the FBI said it had been asked by the State Department to send a team of investigators to Iraq to look into the September 16th shootings.
No criminal charges have been filed yet against Blackwater over that incident.
State Department rules say Blackwater's actions should be defensive rather than offensive.