U.N.: Iraq Civilian Deaths Hit A Record

[kpete]

U.N.: Iraq civilian deaths hit a record By NICK WADHAMS, Associated Press Writer

UNITED NATIONS - The number of Iraqi civilians killed in July and August hit 6,599, a record-high number that is far greater than initial estimates suggested, the United Nations said Wednesday.

The report from the U.N. Assistance Mission in Iraq's Human Rights office highlighted the sectarian crisis gripping the country, offering a grim assessment across a range of indicators — worrying evidence of torture, unlawful detentions, growth of sectarian militias and death squads, and a rise in "honor killings" of women.

That raises new questions about U.S. and Iraqi forces' ability to bring peace to Baghdad, where the bulk of the violent deaths occurred. Iraq's government, set up in 2006, is "currently facing a generalized breakdown of law and order which presents a serious challenge to the institutions of Iraq," it said.

According to the U.N., which releases the figures every two months, violent civilian deaths in July reached an unprecedented high of 3,590, an average of more than 100 a day. The August toll was 3,009, the report said.

more at:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060921/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_civilian_deaths;_ylt=AjG3AZAZvI08iatqYUE7G9is0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA2Z2szazkxBHNlYwN0bQ--

[magellan]

1. All for a lie