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July was Iraqs deadliest month in nearly two years
The statistics compiled by the health, interior and defense ministries showed that 325 people 241 civilians, 40 police and 44 soldiers were killed nationwide during the month. Another 697 people 480 civilians, 122 police and 95 soldiers were wounded. It was the highest monthly toll given by the government since August 2010, when figures showed 426 people killed and 838 wounded in attacks. The previous highest official toll this year was for January, when government figures showed that 151 Iraqis were killed and 321 wounded in attacks. While violence has decreased from its peak in 2006-2007, attacks still remain near-daily occurrences in Iraq. Of the 31 days in July, there were attacks on at least 27 of them, with 10 or more people killed in attacks on five separate days 39 on July 3, 11 on July 4, 17 on July 22, 113 on July 23, and 23 on July 31. The July 23 violence, in which some 259 people were also wounded in attacks across the country, was the deadliest single day of violence in Iraq since 126 people were killed on December 8, 2009. The July 23 wave of violence consisted of at least 29 separate attacks in 19 cities, with most of the unrest concentrated in Baghdad and areas north of the capital. In the deadliest incidents a string of roadside bombs and a car bomb followed by a suicide attack targeting emergency responders in the town of Taji, just north of Baghdad at least 42 people were killed and 40 wounded, medical officials said. Al-Qaedas front group, the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI), claimed the attacks, saying they were part of a new campaign in the holy Muslim fasting month of Ramadan. Posted by: Steve White 2012-08-02 |
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