Kirkuk included in UN casualty figures for second month in 2017

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – The United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI) released its report for November on Sunday that includes casualties in Baghdad, Salahaddin and Kirkuk provinces.

Baghdad reported the highest amount of casualties with 51 deaths and 150 injured followed by Salahaddin where 24 people were killed and another 60 injured. Kirkuk came in third with 12 deaths and 28 injured. Remaining deaths include off duty police officers.

For the month of October UNAMI had reported that there were 18 deaths in Kirkuk with another 33 injured.

However, Dr. Dinbar Zebari, head of the KRG’s High Committee to Evaluate and Respond to International Reports had told Rudaw on October 23 that 400 civilians in Kirkuk and its surroundings had been killed.

The total numbers of civilian deaths in Iraq reported by UNAMI, excluding police officers, decreased from 109 in October to 87 in November due to acts of terrorism, violence and armed conflict.

This is the second time that UNAMI has reported deaths in Kirkuk Province in its monthly casualty report during 2017.

On October 16, the Iraqi military, supported by Iran-backed Hashd al-Shaabi began an offensive to take over Kirkuk from the KRG following their referendum bid for independence which was held on September 25.

Baghdad opposed the vote, especially in the disputed areas and conflicts have continued in Kirkuk province.

The UN agency cautions that it is “in general” hindered in effectively verifying casualty reports.

“Two bombings in Tuz Khurmatu, Salahaddin Governorate, and in Baghdad Governorate in November which caused numerous casualties among civilians are a horrible reminder that the terrorists can still inflict blows at peaceful citizens,” said Jan Kubis, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General (SRSG) for Iraq.

“All measures need to be taken by the authorities to protect civilians against the barbarism of the terrorists,” he added.