Iraqi death toll accelerating
Tuesday, 02 Jan 2007 12:57
Terrorist attacks are killing thousands of people in Iraq
Iraq In Focus
Turmoil in Iraq has dominated news headlines since Saddam Hussein's statue toppled in Baghdad nearly four years ago. Full Story
Over 12,000 Iraqi civilians died as a result of the country's instability during 2006, officials said today.
Government figures reveal that nearly 2,000 civilians died in December alone, reflecting the increasing damage caused by Iraq's social and religious divisions in the wake of Saddam Hussein's removal from power in 2003.
Rising levels of sectarian violence as well as the ongoing insurgency targeting coalition forces in the country are responsible for the 'violent' deaths classed as being caused by terrorist activity in 2006.
Over 1,000 Iraqi policemen also died last year, along with roughly 600 soldiers. The US reportedly suffered its 3,000th fatality in the conflict yesterday.
Following the execution of Saddam Hussein on Saturday December 30th coalition leaders hope that the situation will improve, but there is little immediate sign of the levels of violence falling after the former dictator's death.
Forty bodies were found wearing blindfolds and handcuffs in Baghdad yesterday.