UN says 980 killed in Iraq violence in December

Figure marks 10% jump from previous month amid battle with Islamic State; 1,244 civilians wounded in same period

By AP 1 January 2016, 11:28 am Edit

A member of Iraq's elite counter-terrorism service flashes the 'V' for victory sign on December 29, 2015 in the city of Ramadi, the capital of Iraq's Anbar province, about 110 kilometers west of Baghdad, after Iraqi forces recaptured it from the Islamic State jihadist group. (AFP Photo/Ahmad Al-Rubaye)

BAGHDAD, Iraq — The United Nations says violence has claimed the lives of 980 Iraqis in December, up from 888 the previous month.

The UN Assistance Mission for Iraq, known as UNAMI, said in a statement Friday that 506 of those killed in December were civilians, while the rest were security forces, including Kurdish peshmerga and paramilitary troops.

It says the worst-affected province was Baghdad with 261 killed, followed by Ninevah province with 68.

Citing its local health authorities, the UN says 124 civilians were killed in Anbar province, which has large areas under IS control. The UN says it could not fully verify the Anbar figures due to the increased volatility of the situation on the ground and the disruption of services.

It added that 1,244 civilians were wounded in December.