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Iraq: UN reports at least 1,119 killed in September; actual figure likely higher

Iraqis fleeing from militants earlier in 2014. The number of Iraqis now seeking refuge in Jordan and Turkey is rising.
UNHCR/E. Colt
Iraqis fleeing from militants earlier in 2014. The number of Iraqis now seeking refuge in Jordan and Turkey is rising.

Iraq: UN reports at least 1,119 killed in September; actual figure likely higher

At least 1,119 Iraqis – most of them civilians – were killed in September, the United Nations in the country today reported, but cautioned that the figure does not include people killed in the ongoing operation in Anbar, or those who died from the heat or hunger after being forced to flee violence in their cities.

The UN Assistance Mission (UNAMI) has received, but been unable to verify, “reports of large numbers of casualties along with unknown numbers of persons who have died from secondary effects of violence after having fled their homes due to exposure to the elements, lack of water, food, medicines and health care,” according to a statement.

As a result, the figures presented should be considered an “absolute minimum,” according to the Mission.

Of those numbers, at least 854 people were civilians and 265 members of the Iraqi security forces.

The worst affected Governorate was Baghdad, where 352 people were killed and 983 injured.

An additional 1,604 Iraq civilians were injured in acts of terrorism and violence during the month. A further 342 people were injured.

In a Security Council meeting last month, the 15 Members strongly condemned attacks by terrorist organizations including the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), and urged UN Member States to assist the Iraqi Government’s efforts to combat militants and implement its new political agenda.

Also that day, Nickolay Mladenov, head of UNAMI briefed the Council on behalf of Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, stressing that Iraq’s new Government will need international support as it works to restore security to large parts of the country.

Summary
Month Civilian Casualties Injured
September 2014 854 1604
August 2014 1265 1198
July 2014 1186 1978
June 2014 1531 1763
May 2014 603 1108
April 2014 610 1311
March 2014 484 1104
February 2014 564 1179
January 2014 618 1052
December 2013 661 1201
November 2013 565 1186
October 2013 852 1793
September 2013 887 1957
August 2013 716 1936
July 2013 928 2109
June 2013 685 1610
May 2013 963 2191
April 2013 595 1481
March 2013 229 853
February 2013 418 704
January 2013 319 960
December 2012 230 655
November 2012 445 1306

Please note that all figures remain estimates until full investigation and analysis has been carried out.