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980 killed in violence across Iraq in December: UN report

Xinhua, January 2, 2016 Adjust font size:

A total of 980 Iraqis were killed and 1,244 others wounded in acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict across Iraq in December, the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) said in on Friday.

Among the killed were 506 civilians and 474 security members, together with 867 other civilians being wounded, UNAMI said in a statement.

The figures of casualties in December brought the total number of civilians killed and wounded in the entire 2015 to 22,370, according to UN statistics.

"UNAMI has been hindered in effectively verifying casualties in conflict areas," it said, adding "the figures reported have to be considered as the absolute minimum."

Also an unknown number of people died from side effects of violence, after fleeing their homes as a result of lack of water, food, medicine and health care.

According to the statement, Iraqi capital Baghdad was the worst affected province with 1,048 civilian casualties, including 261 killed and 787 injured, which is followed by the provinces of Nineveh, Salahudin, Kirkuk, and Diyala in this regard.

"The year 2015 has seen thousands of Iraqis killed and injured as a result of conflict and terrorism. This is unacceptable," the statement said, quoting UN envoy for Iraq and UNAMI chief Jan Kubis.

"The Iraqi people have every right to live in peace and tranquility. The United Nations continues to deplore this continuing loss of life," Kubis said.

Iraq has witnessed a wave of violence since the IS terrorist group took control of parts of the northern and western regions in June 2014.

Earlier, a UNAMI report estimated that about 14,136 civilians were killed and 29,189 others wounded in armed conflicts in Iraq since Jan. 1, 2014 to the end of April 2015. Endit