Iraq government says 989 killed in July

A death toll of 989 from conflict in Iraq makes July the deadliest month since 2008, when the country was emerging from a bloody sectarian conflict.

Iraq government says 989 killed in July

Violence in Iraq killed 989 people and wounded more than 1500 in July, government figures show.

Violence in Iraq has killed 989 people in July, government figures show, making it the deadliest month since April 2008.

The dead comprised 778 civilians, 88 police, 55 soldiers and 68 insurgents, according to the figures compiled by the health, interior and defence ministries.

Violence also wounded 1567 people in July - 1356 civilians, 122 police and 89 soldiers.

The figures make July the deadliest month since 2008, when Iraq was emerging from a bloody sectarian conflict.

In April of that year, 1428 people were killed, according to official figures - 966 civilians, 69 police, 38 soldiers and 355 insurgents.

Iraq has faced years of attacks by militants, but analysts say widespread discontent among the Sunni Arab minority, which the government has failed to address, has fuelled this year's spike in unrest.

Sunnis accuse the Shi'ite-led government of marginalising and targeting their community, including unwarranted arrests and terrorism charges.

Protests that erupted in Sunni areas at the end of 2012 are still ongoing.

In addition to major security problems, the government is also failing to provide adequate basic services such as electricity and clean water, and corruption is widespread.

Political squabbling has paralysed the government, which has passed almost no major legislation in years.


Share

2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world