The Iraqi government reported a near doubling in casualties in July
2010 from the previous month. In a statement on July 31, the Baghdad
government said 396 civilians were killed in insurgency strikes last month,
compared to 204 in June, Middle East Newsline reported.
The statement, which drew on data from the Defense Ministry, Health
Ministry and Interior Ministry, said the lion's share of civilians were
killed in explosions, most of them suicide bombings. Others were killed in
rocket and shooting attacks.
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In an unusual move, the U.S. military disputed the Iraqi government
statement. On Aug. 1, the U.S. military, which has accelerated its
withdrawal from Iraq, said 222 people — 161 civilians, 55 Iraqi police and
soldiers, and six U.S. soldiers — were killed in July. The total figure
given by the Iraqi government was 535.
The Baghdad government figures said 89 police officers, 50 soldiers, and
100 suspected militants were killed in July. The government said 955
insurgency suspects were arrested.