UN says violence in Iraq kills at least 1,375 in January

BAGHDAD — The United Nations mission to Iraq said Sunday that violence in the country amid the war against the extremist Islamic State group killed at least 1,375 people in January.

The UN Assistance Mission in Iraq, known as UNAMI, put the number of civilians killed at 790, while identifying the rest as security forces members. It said at least 1,469 civilians and 771 security forces members were wounded.

It said the worst affected city was the capital, Baghdad, with 256 civilians killed and 758 wounded.

According to UNAMI figures, last year was the deadliest in Iraq since 2006-2007, with a total of 12,282 people killed and 23,126 wounded.

However, the UN says its numbers “have to be considered as the absolute minimum” as they do not include territories held by the Islamic State group, which is about a third of Iraq, and of those who lost their lives due to “secondary effects of violence... [like] exposure to the elements, lack of water, food, medicines and healthcare”.

Also Sunday, Interior Ministry spokesman Saad Maan said two air strikes by the US-led coalition in Iraq’s Anbar province killed or wounded 66 Islamic State group militants on Saturday.

Maan added that the group’s spokesman, Abu Mohammed Al Adnani, was among the wounded along with a field leader. He cited “intelligence reports” for the casualty estimates.

The Islamic State extremist group and other Sunni insurgents have seized control of wide areas in western and northern Iraq. The militants’ offensive has thrown Iraq into its worst crisis since the withdrawal of US troops.