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.

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.