Iraq: UN reports more than 400 civilians killed in February; cites 'viciousness' of attacks

Acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict in Iraq claimed the lives of 670 people, including 410 civilians, in February 2016, the United Nations political mission in that country has reported.

According to figures verified by the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), 260 members of the Iraqi Security Forces and 410 civilians were killed, while 240 security forces personnel and 1,050 civilians were injured.

Although the overall casualty figures were down from the 849 killed and 1,450 injured in January, February was marked by the viciousness of some attacks, including suicide bombers hitting places of worship, a market and a funeral.

“This conflict continues to exact a heavy toll on the population,” said Ján Kubiš, head of UNAMI and Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq.

With civilians accounting for about two-thirds of the overall death toll and most of the injuries in February, he stressed that “civilians should not pay the price in this conflict.”

The figures showed that Baghdad Governorate was the worst affected, with 277 killed and 838 injured; Diyala 40 killed and 43 injured; Ninewa 42 killed and five injured; Kirkuk 29 killed and 28 injured; Salahadin 11 killed and six injured; and Babil five killed and four injured.