Iraqi figures show slight growth in death toll
Figures rise from 126 casualties in April to 132 casualties in May; March boasted the lowest death toll since the 2003 invasion – 112
BAGHDAD (AP) — Official figures show a slight increase in the number of Iraqis killed in violence for the last two months.
Figures released by the Defense, Interior and Health Ministry on Saturday showed that 132 people were killed in May, including 90 civilians, 20 policemen and 22 soldiers.
That’s up from 126 deaths in April and 112 in March — the lowest monthly death toll since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
The bloodiest day of the past month was Thursday when 18 people were killed in a series of bombings and shootings, most in the capital of Baghdad.
Violence has fallen in Iraq since a wave of sectarian fighting in 2006 and 2007, but insurgents still carry out attacks on security forces and civilians to undermine the Shiite-led government.
