UN: Iraq saw over 1,000 killed in May

BAGHDAD: The United Nations mission to Iraq said yesterday that more than 1,000 people were killed in violence across the country last month — the highest monthly death toll in years.
Violence has increased sharply in Iraq over the past two months, with bombings in civilian areas growing more frequent as fears grow that widespread sectarian conflict may once again break out in the country. The bloodshed has accelerated since a deadly April 23 crackdown by security forces on a Sunni protest in the northern town of Hawija.
The UN figures showed that 1,045 civilians and security personnel were killed in May. That surpassed the 712 killed in April, the deadliest month recorded since June 2008.
UN envoy Martin Kobler called the figures “a sad record.” “Iraqi political leaders must act immediately to stop this intolerable bloodshed,” he said in a statement.
More than half of those killed were in the greater Baghdad area. Car bombs and other explosives were responsible for the bulk of the casualties across the country.