Zimpapers Logo

BAGHDAD. — At least 1 737 Iraqis were killed, and 1 978 others were injured in terrorist attacks and violence in July, according to a statement issued yesterday by the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). The statement said that 1 186 civilians, including 106 civilian policemen, and 551 Iraqi security forces personnel were killed, while 1 511 civilians, including 177 civilian policemen, were wounded. An additional 467 security members were wounded in terrorist and violent acts in July.

UNAMI excluded the casualties in Anbar province where fierce clashes flared up after Iraqi police dismantled an anti-government protest site outside Ramadi in late December last year.

However, the statement obtained information from the General Hospital of Fallujah in Anbar province’s Fallujah city saying that the total civilian casualties up to March 30 in the city was 132 killed and 421 injured. Information on casualties in Anbar’s other areas is not available.

UN envoy and UNAMI chief Nickolay Mladenov voiced concerns about worsening violence in Iraq and urged Iraqi leaders and politicians to address the root causes of violence in the country.

“I am concerned about the rising number of casualties in Iraq, particularly among the civilian population. Children and women are most vulnerable. All sides should ensure that civilians are protected and that international humanitarian law is respected,” the statement quoted Mladenov as saying. — Xinhua.