UN: Over 3,000 civilians killed during 2017 in Iraq

By Merve Aydogan

ANKARA (AA) - The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) said Tuesday 69 Iraqi civilians were killed and 142 injured in December 2017 due to terrorism, violence and armed conflict in the country.

"Baghdad was the worst affected governorate with 122 civilian casualties -- 24 killed and 98 injured," UNAMI said in a statement.

Saladin Governorate followed with seven killed and 25 injured and Kirkuk reported 15 killed and six injured, the statement added.

The statement further said the overall civilian casualties in Iraq during 2017 were 3,298 killed and 4,781 civilians wounded -- excluding civilian casualty figures in Anbar for November and December, which are not available.

Jan Kubis, special representative and head of UNAMI, expressed concern over the casualties.

"Casualty figures for the month of December 2017 have remained at a similar level in November, which is disappointing. I very much hope that, as we move into the new year, these figures will fall rapidly as much-needed peace and stability return to Iraq," he said.