Civilian killed in bomb blast in abu Ghraib, western Baghdad

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) A civilian was killed as an IED exploded in western Baghdad, a security source has said.

“An employee of Education Ministry was killed as a bomb exploded in al-Zidan region in abu Ghraib district, western Baghdad,” the source told Alghad Press on Wednesday.

The source added that the bomb was planted under the vehicle that the victim was driving.

Violence and armed conflicts claimed the lives of 317 Iraqis, and caused injuries to 403 others during the month of April, according to a monthly count by the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI).

The total figure of victims signalled a drop from 1115 victims in March.

Nineveh, where U.S.-backed Iraqi government troops are caught up in battles against Islamic State militants in Mosul since October, came on top of the most affected governorate, with 276 casualties (153 killed, 123 injured). Baghdad Governorate came next with 55 killed and 179 injured. Salahuddin came third, with 15 killed and 43 injured.

Violence in the country surged further with the emergence of Islamic State Sunni extremist militants who proclaimed an “Islamic Caliphate” in Iraq and Syria.

IS is believed to have begun escalation of attacks outside Mosul, where the group has been losing ground and personnel since October