With figures, UNAMI: 2013 deadliest since 2008 in Iraq

Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) According to casualty figures released today by UNAMI, a total of 759 Iraqis were killed and 1,345 others were wounded in acts of terrorism and violence in December.

A statement by UNAMI received by Iraqi News cited “The number of civilians killed was 661 (including 175 civilian police), while the number of civilians injured was 1201 (including 258 civilian police). A further 98 members of the Iraqi Security Forces were killed and 144 were injured”.

“The total number of civilian casualties (including police) in 2013 has been the highest since 2008, with 7,818 killed (6,787 in 2008) and 17,981 (20,178 in 2008) injured,” the statement assured.

“This is a sad and terrible record which confirms once again the urgent need for the Iraqi authorities to address the roots of violence to curb this infernal circle,” the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Iraq (SRSG), Mr. Nickolay Mladenov said in the statement.

“The most violent month of 2013 was May, with a total of 3,154 civilian casualties (including police), of whom 963 were killed and 2,191 wounded. Since April 2013, the total number of civilian casualties (killed and injured, including police) has been consistently above 1, 500,” the statement continued.

“The level of indiscriminate violence in Iraq is unacceptable and I call on the Iraqi leaders to take the necessary steps to prevent terrorist groups to fuel the sectarian tensions, which contributes to weaken the social fabric of the society,” Mr. Mladenov remarked according to the statement.

“Baghdad was the worst affected Governorate with 809 civilian casualties (254 killed, 555 injured), followed by Salah-il-din (102 killed 160 injured), Diyala (99 killed 161 injured), Nineveh (105 killed 147 injured), and Anbar with 62 killed 79 injured,” the statement added.

“Kirkuk and Babel also reported casualties had double digit figures,” the statement concluded.