TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Violence in northern Iraq had increased the death toll, reaching more than 1,000 people, mainly civilians, the United Nations announced on Tuesday, June 24, 2014. The U.N. mentioned that victims include a number of executions committed by forces of the Islamic State of Iraq and Levant (ISIL) and prisoners killed by Iraqi forces.
At least 757 civilians were kiled and 599 injured in the northern provinces of Nineveh, Diyala and Saladdin from June 5 to 22.
“This figure—which should be reviewed very much as a minimum—includes a number of verified summary executions and extra judicial killings of civilians, police and soldiers who were hors combat,” U.N. human rights spokesperson Rupert Colville told a news briefing, as reported by Reuters.
In addition, at least 318 people were killed and 590 injured in the same period in Baghdad and southern parts of the country.
The U.N. feared that the number would continue to increase since abductions had been reported in the northern provinces and in Baghdad. Colville said the U.N. received reports that 48 Turkish citizens had been abducted from Turkey’s consulate when ISIL seized Mosul last week, in addition to 40 Indian nationals working for an Iraq consultation firm.
The government of Iraq had reportedly executed prisoners including 31 at al-Qalaa police station in Tal Afar on June 15. The U.N. confirmed the execution when Iraqi forces withdrew from Mosul.
REUTERS | RAJU FEBRIAN
