A few days after a shootout involving Blackwater employees left behind 11 dead civilians, the company resumed operations on a “limited” scale in Baghdad, a US embassy spokesman said.

The firm provides security for officials of the United States Department of State in Iraq, but its license was revoked following the incident occurred last Sunday and the Iraqi government launched an investigation in collaboration with US representatives.
Blackwater resumed work Friday after US embassy officials and the Iraqi administration analyzed the option over the past days. The private security company will be involved in limited operations outside the heavily-guarded Green Zone in Baghdad until the inquiry is complete.

US officials were ordered earlier this week to remain inside the fortified area until further notice. Since then, the embassy decided it is safe to resume the land travel of several convoys guarded by diplomatic security personnel.

Last Sunday, a US diplomatic convoy secured by Blackwater employees was attacked in Baghdad's Nisour Square and the guards opened fire on purported assailants. But witnesses said eleven civilians have been killed when Blackwater personnel indiscriminately opened fire after several mortars landed near the convoy.

The Baghdad government was angered by the incident and decided to halt the company’s operations and initially wanted to expel the North Carolina-base firm from Iraq.

“They started shooting randomly from four positions in the square, killing 11 civilians and injuring 12 others. The first one who was killed was a driver who failed to stop and then his wife,” Interior Ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Abdul-Karim Khalaf said.

Separate investigations were being conducted by Iraqi and American officials, while many figures from the Middle Eastern country condemned the killing and asked the government to bring those responsible to justice.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said Sunday’s incident was “a criminal act” and pledged to shed light on this incident.

US President George W Bush said he will discuss the issue with al-Maliki next week in New York, when the Iraqi leader will attend the United Nations General Assembly session.

“The Folks like Blackwater who provide security for the State Department are under rules of engagement,” Bush said in a press conference held Thursday at the White House.

“They have certain rules. And this commission will determine whether their violated those rules,” he added.

Several US private security firms are currently operating in the war-torn country, most of them providing security for diplomats, politicians and Iraqi companies. The security guards have been often criticized for their actions, critics saying some of them are not properly trained and are heavily armed.