Over 1,000 Iraqis killed, wounded in March

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan24) – The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) revealed on Friday that 1,119 Iraqis have been killed and 1,561 injured in March due to acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict in the country.

UNAMI published its monthly report about the number of casualties in Iraq. According to the report, 575 civilians have been killed in March, including 45 federal police officers (Sahwa civil defense, Personal Security Details, facilities protection police and fire department members) as well as 1,196 injured civilians.

Moreover, 544 members of the security forces have been killed, including Peshmerga, SWAT and militia fighting alongside the Iraqi Army (excluding Anbar Province operation). The report also mentions that 365 security forces members were injured in March.

The total number of casualties has increased in March compared to February where 670 people were killed and 1,290 were injured.

The United Nations special envoy to Iraq Jan Kubis expressed his sincere concern as the violence continues and the casualty count rises in the country.

“I am extremely disturbed at the continuing loss of life and injury as a result of terrorism, violence and armed conflict. It is totally unacceptable that civilians should bear the brunt of violence,” he continued. “My hope is that the proposed reforms will be implemented and will lead to an eventual normalcy in this beautiful country.”

Additionally, the number of casualties differs from one province to another. Baghdad, as the capital of Iraq, has been the worst affected province with 1,029 civilian casualties (259 killed and 770 injured).

In Nineveh Province, 133 were killed and 89 wounded. Babil Province had 65 deaths and 141 injuries. There were 34 killed in Kirkuk Province and 57 wounded, while Diyala had 11 killed and no injuries. Finally, Salahaddin had six civilians killed and one injured.

Reporting by Mewan Dolamari
Editing by Karzan Sulaivany