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 06 September 2008 03:30 BST

Civilian deaths in Iraq increase in August

Saturday, 01 Sep 2007 20:41
Official statistics show a seven per cent increase in the number of civilian casualties in the country
Iraqi governments statistic show a seven per cent increase in civilian deaths in August as 1,773 people lost their lives.

The US military reported that 81 soldiers died last month as it continued operations against al-Qaida terrorists in the country.

The Iraqi government also reports that 87 police and army personnel died last month in comparison to the 224 fatalities in July.

August saw one of the deadliest acts of violence in the country as trucks filled with explosives targeted the home of the minority Yazidi community in northern Iraq.

Estimates of the civilian death toll were reported to be as high as 300.

Recently, Shia Muslim leader Muqtada al-Sadr announced that his Mahdi army militia would halt activities for a period of six months.

A spokesperson for the US military today welcomed the move.

"An end to Jaysh al-Mahdi violence would also be an important step in helping Iraqi authorities focus greater attention on achieving the political and economic solutions necessary for progress and less on dealing with criminal activity, sectarian violence, kidnappings, assassinations, and attacks on Iraqi and coalition forces. We call on all parties and all elements to support and enforce this new initiative," a statement said.

US president George Bush has recently come under increasing pressure from Democrats as well as a senator from his own party about withdrawing troops from the country.

The commander of American forces in Iraq, General David Petraeus, will present a report to the US Congress soon which is being seen as a key determinant of the country's involvement in Iraq.

Today, the president responded to the calls for a pullout saying: "The stakes in Iraq are too high and the consequences too grave for our security here at home to allow politics to harm the mission of our men and women in uniform.

"It is my hope that we can put partisanship and politics behind us and commit to a common vision that will provide our troops what they need to succeed and secure our vital national interests in Iraq and around the world," he added.
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