4,193 Killed in Iraq During March

At least 4,193 people were killed, and 1,966 were wounded in Iraq during the month of March. These figures should be considered low estimates. Due to the nature of the conflict, precise numbers may never be known.

During March, Antiwar.com found that at least 3,953 people were killed and 1,824 were wounded during fighting or attacks in Iraq. Of those deaths, 511 were civilians; 368 were security personnel; and 3,074 were militants. At least 1,078 civilians, 341 security personnel, and 405 militants were wounded. Antiwar compiles these figures from media sources.

On Friday, the U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) released its March casualties report. The United Nations found that 1,119 people were killed and 1,561 were wounded in Iraq during the last month. Of those killed, 544 were security personnel. Security forces also suffered 365 injured. The Anbar Health Directorate told the U.N. that 64 were killed and 137 were injured in the province. The U.N. does not count militants deaths and considers these figures the lowest possible estimates.

Combining the highest figures from Antiwar and the U.N., at least 4,193 people were killed during March. Another 1,966 were wounded. These numbers are higher than February’s casualty figures which were 3,841 were killed and 1,606 were wounded.

Other News:

Advances in Hit have slowed due to safety concerns for civilians living in the city. Leaflets have been dropped, instructing residents which roads they can use to evacuate ahead of continued fighting.

Authorities report that Kubeisa has been recaptured from Islamic State militants.

The first of Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi’s cabinet picks has withdrawn his nomination. Although a Kurd, Nizar Saleem Numan had not been vetted by Kurdish politicians. Earlier it had been hoped that the petroleum geologist would resolve the oil profits dispute between Arbil and Baghdad.

Turkish warplanes bombed suspected Kurdistan Workers Party (P.K.K.) targets in Zab.

At least 90 were killed:

In Makhmour, a suicide bomber killed eight Peshmerga.

Strikes on Mosul left 49 militants dead.

Security forces killed 27 militants in Khirbirdan.

Five militants were killed in Bashir, including a commander believed responsible for chemical attacks on Taza.

Author: Margaret Griffis

Margaret Griffis is a journalist from Miami Beach, Florida and has been covering Iraqi casualties for Antiwar.com since 2006.