Monday, July 02, 2007
Drop in Iraqi civilian deaths last month
Security
(Al Jazeera) - Iraqi civilian deaths dropped to 1,241 last month, the lowest since a US-led crackdown was launched in February in and around Baghdad. However, attacks continue to target the capital and neighbouring provinces, and at least four people were killed in separate attacks on Sunday.
The latest numbers, compiled from interior, defence and health ministry figures, were down from last month's total of 1,951. In May there had been a significant jump in casualties compared to April.
The government of Nuri al-Maliki, the Iraqi prime minister, no longer issues official casualty statistics and refuses to provide figures to UN human rights monitors. The June casualties are the lowest since the launch of the US and Iraqi military crackdown known as Operation Fardh al-Qanoon (Imposing the Law) in and around Baghdad on February 14.
In that month, 1,626 civilians were reported killed. One of the key reasons for the fall is thought to be that most senior Shia fighters considered responsible for the widespread killings of Sunni Muslims are thought to have left the capital to avoid the assault.
The latest numbers, compiled from interior, defence and health ministry figures, were down from last month's total of 1,951. In May there had been a significant jump in casualties compared to April.
The government of Nuri al-Maliki, the Iraqi prime minister, no longer issues official casualty statistics and refuses to provide figures to UN human rights monitors. The June casualties are the lowest since the launch of the US and Iraqi military crackdown known as Operation Fardh al-Qanoon (Imposing the Law) in and around Baghdad on February 14.
In that month, 1,626 civilians were reported killed. One of the key reasons for the fall is thought to be that most senior Shia fighters considered responsible for the widespread killings of Sunni Muslims are thought to have left the capital to avoid the assault.
Labels: civilian deaths, Iraq
