Unidentified gunmen shoot Iraqi civilian dead in Baghdad
Representational photo.
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) – An Iraqi civilian was killed on Monday in an armed attack that was launched by unidentified gunmen in the capital Baghdad, a security source said.
“Unknown attackers opened fire at a civilian while passing by Abu Gharib district, west of Baghdad, leaving him dead,” the source told Al-Madar news website.
The source added that a security force sealed off the area and carried the body to the forensic medicine department.
Violence in the country has surged further with the emergence of Islamic State extremist militants who proclaimed an “Islamic Caliphate” in Iraq and Syria in 2014.
The surge in violence between armed groups and government forces has resulted in over five million internally displaced persons across Iraq and left more than 11 million in need of humanitarian assistance, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.
A total of 32 Iraqi civilians were killed and another 32 injured in acts of terrorism and conflict-related violence in December 2018, the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).
Nineveh was the worst affected governorate with 26 civilian casualties (07 killed, 19 injured) followed by Baghdad (17 killed and 03 injured) and Salahuddin (03 killed and 03 injured).