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UN says 867 Iraqis killed in violence and conflicts in May

Xinhua, June 1, 2016 Adjust font size:

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) said Wednesday that 867 Iraqis were killed and 1,459 others wounded in terrorism, violence and armed conflicts in May across Iraq.

The figures included 468 civilians killed and 1,041 others wounded, while 399 security members were killed and 418 others wounded, UNAMI said in a statement.

UNAMI figures excluded the casualties in Iraq's western province of Anbar as it was extremely difficult to verify the casualties in the province where fierce clashes are underway as the security forces have carried out major offensive to free the city of Fallujah, some 50 km west of Baghdad, and surrounding areas from the Islamic State (IS) militants.

The statement said the UN envoy to Iraq and the UNAMI chief Jan Kubis lamented the continuing loss of lives among terrorist attacks and armed clashes, urging the government of Iraq to take necessary and more effective measures to protect civilians.

"Iraqi civilians have become the target of terrorist suicide bombers and car bombs. Residential neighborhoods have sustained heavy damage. Armed clashes have spared no one. I urge the Government to make every effort to prevent the occurrence of such outrages," Kubis said.

He also reiterated his call on the concerning parties in Anbar province, particularly in battlefield in Fallujah, to "protect the civilians and to preserve Fallujah's infrastructure in accordance with the relevant principles of international human rights and humanitarian law."

"Innocent civilians should not pay the price for the crimes of Daesh (IS group)," he said.

A month ago, the casualties registered 741 people killed and 1,374 others injured in terrorist attacks and violence across the country.

On May 23, Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi announced the launch of the offensive to capture Fallujah.

Brigadier General Yahya Rasoul, spokesman for the Joint Military Command, said that intelligence reports indicate that about 400 to 600 militants are in Fallujah, many of them foreigners. He said about 50,000 to 70,000 civilians are expected to remain in Fallujah.

Government troops and allied militias have currently been fighting for months to reclaim key cities and towns in Anbar from IS militants, who attempted to advance towards Baghdad after seizing most of Anbar province.

Iraq is currently witnessing a wave of violence since the IS controlled parts of Iraq's northern and western regions in June 2014. Endit