Civilian deaths in Iraq rose to 155 in June, and according to US government figures this is the highest monthly number of civilian deaths since 159 people were killed in January 2011.
Deaths of Iraqi police also rose to 77 in June, similarly the highest number of police deaths this year.
June was also the deadliest month for American troops in Iraq for two years. According to icasualties.org, three deaths late in the month means 15 soldiers died.
The US Health Ministry also reports that 192 civilians, 150 police officers and 112 soldiers were wounded in June attacks.
American commanders said they feared an uptake in violence would accompany the planned withdrawal of troops by the end of the year.
According to Reuters, violence in Iraq has dropped sharply from the height of sectarian fighting in 2006-07, but attacks against Iraqi and U.S. security forces appear to be rising as the United States prepares to fully withdraw by end-December, more than eight years after the U.S.-led invasion that toppled Saddam Hussein.
In December, the human rights group Iraq Body Count put the 2010 civilian death toll in Iraq at 3,976 up to December 23, compared to 4,680 in 2009. The 2010 civilian toll was the lowest since the 2003 invasion.
Although US officials do not have evidence to support the claim, Iranian-backed militia groups are being blamed for the “sophisticated” attacks.
Sources
- Washington Post
- Boston Glove
- Reuters
- Image: SMH