UN on Iraq: casualties in October lowest figures since Nov. 2012

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – A total of 69 Iraqi civilians were killed and another 105 wounded in acts of terrorism, violence, and armed conflict in Iraq in October, according to casualty figures recorded by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

“The figures include ordinary citizens, and others considered civilian at the time of death or injury, such as police in non-combat functions, civil defense, personal security teams, facilities protection police and fire department personnel,” read the statement released by UNAMI on Thursday.

It mentions that it is the lowest monthly casualty figures since UNAMI began publishing them in November 2012.

“While targeting the casualties, the fact these figures are the lowest UNAMI has recorded since November 2012, is a positive indicator and shows that the country is gradually coming out of the cycle of violence into which it was forced by terrorists,” Jan Kubis, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General of the United Nations (SRSG) for Iraq.

UNAMI explained that Nineveh is the worst affected province, with 65 civilian casualties (29 killed, 36 injured), followed by Baghdad (29 killed and 35 injured), and Anbar (5 killed and 19 injured).

Iraq declared victory over the Islamic State (IS) in December 2017, but the group continues to launch insurgency-style attacks, kidnappings, and ambushes in provinces like Anbar and Nineveh and the disputed areas of Kirkuk, Diyala, and Salahuddin.

Editing by Nadia Riva