Iraqi violence kills nearly 700 civilians in June - UN

[News_Editor]

NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) -- The United Nations (UN) on Wednesday voiced alarm in the recent wave of attacks in Iraq, calling for a halt in such incidents.

Martin Kobler, the Secretary-General's Special Representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) urged the Iraqi authorities to do their utmost and "take all necessary measures to protect the people of Iraq from more bloodshed."

"This carnage must stop," Kobler stressed, as dozens of people have been killed in recent weeks, and many others injured in a series of bomb attacks and shootings that seem to have concentrated around public places, such as a crowded market.

According to the UN, a total of 761 Iraqis were killed and another 1,771 were wounded in acts of terrorism and violence in June. Furthermore, of those killed, 685 were civilians, including 131 civilian police. An additional 76 members of the Iraqi Security Forces were also killed. Out of the 1,771 wounded, the vast majority â 1,610 including 221 civilian police â were civilians.

Baghdad was the worst-affected governorate with 950 civilian casualties followed by Salahuddin, Ninewa, Diyala and Anbar. Kirkuk, Babil, Wasit, Basra and Najaf also reported casualties, according to the Mission.

Kobler said regarding Tuesday's indigents that the "devastating terrorist attacks" again targeted innocent citizens struggling to build a more hopeful future for themselves and their children in a highly volatile environment.

"They follow two weeks during which we've seen an increasing number of attacks targeting cafés, football fields and other locations where people socialize and nurture the personal relationships and social fabric that are so important for a strong, prosperous country," added Kobler.

The Un also revealed that in April, 712 Iraqis were killed and more than 1,600 injured. In May, the death toll increased to 1,045 and more than 2,300 were wounded.

In a report issued last week, UNAMI said that at least 3,200 civilians were killed and more than 10,000 injured in during the second half of 2012 in a reversal of the trend that had seen violence decline in recent years.

(Copyright 2013 by BNO News B.V. All rights reserved. Info: [email protected].)

[lannarebirth]

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!

[Mosha]

How may were killed monthly before the west, on a fool's errand, went looking for WMDs?

[simple1]

How may were killed monthly before the west, on a fool's errand, went looking for WMDs?

It is estimated that more than 200,000 civilians were murdered during Saddam's rule of 24 years, so that averages out at about 695 per month. Plus the approx 500k Iraqis killed in the unprovoked war with Iran; supported by the US.

The current killings are normally by disenfranchised Sunni's (major policy mistake by the US) who are seeking to destabalise the primarily Shiite government.

[Scott]

You seem to have left out the numbers of the Anfal campaign against the Kurds.

[lannarebirth]

How may were killed monthly before the west, on a fool's errand, went looking for WMDs?

It is estimated that more than 200,000 civilians were murdered during Saddam's rule of 24 years, so that averages out at about 695 per month. Plus the approx 500k Iraqis killed in the unprovoked war with Iran; supported by the US.

The current killings are normally by disenfranchised Sunni's (major policy mistake by the US) who are seeking to destabalise the primarily Shiite government.

So Saddam Hussein is the benchmark we need to beat as far as deaths to Iraqi people are concerned?

http://www.fair.org/blog/2013/06/07/how-many-iraqis-died-in-the-iraq-war/

[simple1]

You seem to have left out the numbers of the Anfal campaign against the Kurds.

Wasn't sure if they were accounted for in the 200k estimate (how many estimated Kurds killed?) and if the suppression of the Basra uprising after Gulf War 1 and the Marsh Arabs were also included. Have also seen figures of an estimated civilians 300k killed during Saddam's rule but went with the lower estimate

[Scott]

I believe it was around 100,000 non-combatant Kurds that were killed. Males over the age of 12 were generally considered to be of military age so were probably considered combatants.

There are different numbers bandied about and I know when I lived in the area, there was a large book of people who had disappeared, and I believe it had more than 100,000 names, but the real numbers have never been verified for sure.

[simple1]

How may were killed monthly before the west, on a fool's errand, went looking for WMDs?

It is estimated that more than 200,000 civilians were murdered during Saddam's rule of 24 years, so that averages out at about 695 per month. Plus the approx 500k Iraqis killed in the unprovoked war with Iran; supported by the US.

The current killings are normally by disenfranchised Sunni's (major policy mistake by the US) who are seeking to destabalise the primarily Shiite government.

So Saddam Hussein is the benchmark we need to beat as far as deaths to Iraqi people are concerned?

http://www.fair.org/blog/2013/06/07/how-many-iraqis-died-in-the-iraq-war/

The "benchmark" has probably been far exceeded as the result of sanctions, invasion and Sunni/Shiite killings. There have been ideas proposed to reset the borders (highly unlikely, if not impossible) along Sunni/Shiite population distribution to counter the chaos caused by the establishment of borders after the breakup of the Ottoman Empire by the Sykes-Picot Agreement. More background at:

http://www.chathamhouse.org/publications/twt/archive/view/191867

[Scott]

On off-topic post has been deleted.

[F430murci]

How may were killed monthly before the west, on a fool's errand, went looking for WMDs?

It is estimated that more than 200,000 civilians were murdered during Saddam's rule of 24 years, so that averages out at about 695 per month. Plus the approx 500k Iraqis killed in the unprovoked war with Iran; supported by the US.

The current killings are normally by disenfranchised Sunni's (major policy mistake by the US) who are seeking to destabalise the primarily Shiite government.

Silly US for not knowing or wanting to believe that Sunnis would indiscriminately kill anyone and everyone they could and commit acts of mass genocide if given the opportunity. Many cultures have felt disenfranchised throughout history without resorting to genocide and worked hard to do right, act right and do quiet well in life. People eventually have to step up and accept some responsibility. Blaming others for your misfortunes when you do nothing to make your life better is a weak trait.

Edited July 4, 2013 by F430murci

[Steely Dan]

How may were killed monthly before the west, on a fool's errand, went looking for WMDs?

It is estimated that more than 200,000 civilians were murdered during Saddam's rule of 24 years, so that averages out at about 695 per month. Plus the approx 500k Iraqis killed in the unprovoked war with Iran; supported by the US.

The current killings are normally by disenfranchised Sunni's (major policy mistake by the US) who are seeking to destabalise the primarily Shiite government.

Silly US for not knowing or wanting to believe that Sunnis would indiscriminately kill anyone and everyone they could and commit acts of mass genocide if given the opportunity. Many cultures have felt disenfranchised throughout history without resorting to genocide and worked hard to do right, act right and do quiet well in life. People eventually have to step up and accept some responsibility. Blaming others for your misfortunes when you do nothing to make your life better is a weak trait.

One would have hoped the lesson would have been learned by now, but then we have Libya and possibly Syria.

[simple1]

How may were killed monthly before the west, on a fool's errand, went looking for WMDs?

It is estimated that more than 200,000 civilians were murdered during Saddam's rule of 24 years, so that averages out at about 695 per month. Plus the approx 500k Iraqis killed in the unprovoked war with Iran; supported by the US.

The current killings are normally by disenfranchised Sunni's (major policy mistake by the US) who are seeking to destabalise the primarily Shiite government.

Silly US for not knowing or wanting to believe that Sunnis would indiscriminately kill anyone and everyone they could and commit acts of mass genocide if given the opportunity. Many cultures have felt disenfranchised throughout history without resorting to genocide and worked hard to do right, act right and do quiet well in life. People eventually have to step up and accept some responsibility. Blaming others for your misfortunes when you do nothing to make your life better is a weak trait.

You have completely misunderstood Sunni disenfranchisement as an outcome of the US invasion. BTW silly us not knowing about the Egyptian economy - w@#%^*

Edited July 4, 2013 by simple1

[F430murci]

How may were killed monthly before the west, on a fool's errand, went looking for WMDs?

It is estimated that more than 200,000 civilians were murdered during Saddam's rule of 24 years, so that averages out at about 695 per month. Plus the approx 500k Iraqis killed in the unprovoked war with Iran; supported by the US.

The current killings are normally by disenfranchised Sunni's (major policy mistake by the US) who are seeking to destabalise the primarily Shiite government.

Silly US for not knowing or wanting to believe that Sunnis would indiscriminately kill anyone and everyone they could and commit acts of mass genocide if given the opportunity. Many cultures have felt disenfranchised throughout history without resorting to genocide and worked hard to do right, act right and do quiet well in life. People eventually have to step up and accept some responsibility. Blaming others for your misfortunes when you do nothing to make your life better is a weak trait.

One would have hoped the lesson would have been learned by now, but then we have Libya and possibly Syria.

Making excuses and passing blame does nothing but perpetuate the sickness.

I do agree about Libya and it sickens me we went into Iraq. Nevertheless, that is no excuse for what continues to happen over there.

[wooloomooloo]

Nevertheless, that is no excuse for what continues to happen over there.

Nature loves a vacuum.