July deadliest month for Iraqis since 2008

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http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/july-deadliest-month-for-582512.html

July deadliest month for Iraqis since 2008

By SAMEER N. YACOUB

The Associated Press

BAGHDAD — July was the deadliest month for Iraqis in more than two years,

according to newly released figures that show 535 were killed in violence.

The monthly toll released late Saturday was the highest since May 2008 when 563

were killed.

Violence rose as deadlocked politicians bickered over the formation of the next

Iraqi government. It has been nearly five months since a March parliamentary

election that failed to produce a clear winner.

Insurgents are thought to be taking advantage of the political impasse, stepping

up attacks to try destabilize the country as the U.S. draws down on its forces

and leaves the Iraqis in charge of security.

The figures compiled by the defense, interior and health ministries also showed

1,043 people wounded last month.

Of those killed, the ministries identified 396 as civilians, 89 as policemen and

50 as soldiers.

Bombings and mortar attacks targeting Shiites on two religious pilgrimages last

month and a bombing against anti-al-Qaida Sunni militiamen south of the capital

Baghdad killed 160 people killed and boosted the death toll significantly.

Bombings, assassinations and gunfights remain daily occurrences in Iraq,

particularly in the capital, although the overall level of violence has

dramatically declined since 2008.

Civilians also accounted for the overwhelming majority of the wounded in July —

680 of the 1,043. There were also 165 soldiers and 198 policemen among the

wounded, according to the ministries.

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August 01, 2010 03:01 AM EDT

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