At least 4,811 people were killed in Iraq during April, and 1,358 were wounded. Of those 168 were killed in the last day or so. Meanwhile, the U.S. and Iraq are at odds over the arming of Sunnis and Kurds. All this comes as the European Union publicly acknowledges that the situation in Iraq is just getting worse.
According to the figures compiled on Antiwar.com during April, 1,631 civilians and security personnel were killed in Iraq during the month. The number of wounded civilians and security personnel reached 1,077 in the news reports used to compile these figures. At least 3,180 militants were reported killed as well, and another 281 militants were injured. The totals are 4,811 were killed and 1,358 were wounded. These should be considered low estimates.
Many Iraqis consider a proposed U.S. plan to directly arm Sunnis and Kurds a plot to split up the country. Shi’ite politicians have even come out against it. However, Baghdad has refused to arm the minority groups and is now threatening to send Shi’ite militias to fight against the Islamic State militants in Anbar province instead. The militiamen have been accused of committing human rights violations in other Sunni areas they have liberated. Their presence could drive more Sunnis into supporting the militants.
Jean-Louis de Brouwer, the head of the European Union’s humanitarian aid department, cautioned that the situation in Iraq is deteriorating quickly. The number of displaced people quadrupled in the last year, and the pace is not slowing.
At least 168 were killed and 88 more were wounded.
In Baghdad, a bombing in the Mansour district left five dead and 12 wounded. Four people were killed and 14 were wounded when a bomb exploded at a Hurriya ice cream parlor. A blast in Talibiya killed two people and wounded 10 more. Seven were killed and 18 were wounded in two blasts in the east.
Three people were killed and 11 were wounded by a bomb blast near a cafe in Madaen.
The refinery at Baiji appears to be partially under militant control again. Twelve soldiers were killed and six were wounded in the most recent fighting. Three militants were killed.
In Ramadi, four soldiers were killed and seven were wounded during rocket strikes. Security forces killed 31 militants.
Ten people were killed and six were wounded during airstrikes in Falluja.
In Mahmoudiya, Four soldiers were killed when a bomb exploded at a mosque. A roadside bomb killed an officer and wounded two soldiers. Two civilians were wounded in a third blast.
In Garma, 61 militants were killed in ongoing operations.
Security forces killed 11 militants in al-Baghdadi.
A roadside bomb in Mosul left five militants dead.
Five militants were killed in a Haditha airstrike.
