U.N.: 14,000 Iraqis killed in 2006 Holy city bomb kills 45; Armed robbers hit Baghdad bank BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- More than 14,000 civilians have been killed in Iraq in the first half of this year, an ominous figure reflecting the fact that "killings, kidnappings and torture remain widespread" in the war-torn country, a United Nations report says. Killings of civilians are on "an upward trend," with more than 5,800 deaths and more than 5,700 injuries reported in May and June alone, it says. The report, a bimonthly document produced by the U.N. Assistance Mission for Iraq, covers May and June, and includes chilling casualty figures and ugly anecdotes from the insurgent and sectarian warfare that continues to rage despite the establishment of a national unity government and a security crackdown in Baghdad. The report lists examples of bloody suicide bombs aimed at mosques, attacks on laborers, the recovery of slain bodies, the assassinations of judges, the killings of prisoners, the targeting of clergy -- all incidents dutifully reported by media over these three-plus years of chaos in the streets. The U.N. agency says it has been made aware since last year of the targeting of homosexuals, "increasingly threatened and extra-judicially executed by militias and 'death squads' because of their sexual orientation." The intolerance propelling the anti-gay prejudice extends to ethnic and religious minorities and others whose manner of dress doesn't meet the standards of religious extremists. "On 28 May, an Iraqi tennis coach and two of his players were shot dead in Baghdad allegedly because they were wearing shorts. Similar threats are said to be made to induce men to conform to certain hair styles or rules regarding facial hair," the report says. Women face intolerance -- and violence -- as well. "In some Baghdad neighborhoods, women are now prevented from going to the markets alone. In other cases, women have been warned not to drive cars or have faced harassment if they wear trousers. Women have also reported that wearing a headscarf is becoming not a matter of religious choice but one of survival in many parts of Iraq, a fact which is particularly resented by non-Muslim women." Academics and health professionals have been attacked, spurring them to leave the country or their home regions, causing a brain drain and a dislocation in services. "Health care providers face difficulties in carrying out their work because of the limited supply of electricity and growing number of patients due to the increase in violence," the report says. Kidnappings have been part of the chaotic Iraqi scene since the insurgency began, with many hostages killed even after a ransom is paid. The abductors are not only motivated by sectarianism or politics; organized crime appears to be involved with some of the kidnappings. "On some occasions, sectarian connotations and alleged collusion with sectors of the police, as well as with militias, have been reported to UNAMI. Although there are no reliable statistics regarding this phenomenon, because Iraqis often are afraid to report such crimes to the police, the kidnappings are likely a daily occurrence," the report says. For children, the "extent of violence in areas" other than the Kurdish region "is such that likely every child, to some degree, has been exposed to it," it says. "In one case the body of a 12-year-old Osama was reportedly found by the Iraqi police in a plastic bag after his family paid a ransom of some 30,000 U.S. dollars. The boy had been sexually assaulted by the kidnappers, before being hanged by his own clothing. The police captured members of this gang who confessed of raping and killing many boys and girls before Osama," the report says.
A good president tries to END bloodshed and killings. No wonder Bush is at an all-time low in ratings. DD
See what happens when a bunch of muslims live under one roof without a dictator to keep them in check??? Why democracy in the middle east will never work.
I wouldn't say it will never work... What I haven't see in order for it to work though, is for the Iraq people rise up and show that they want it badly enough to fight their own battles to live with it. We will never really know if Iraq will work until the U.S. leaves... The longer we stay, the more we are saying "You are not ready."
Good point. I was gonna mention the all too obvious... That (supposedly) Saddam killed Kurds. The number of 14,000 by far dwarfs Saddam's alledged number. And, who is responsible for 14,000 civilian DEATHS? Go figure.
Ill say it again. The best thing we could do at this point is find Saddam innocent turn the place back over to him and use the Hezbollah attack on Israel as a convenient pretext to demilitarize Iran.
No prob Hapa! May Apollo lend you the Oracle for your trading enrichment, and Dionysus provide you 7 nymphs and a crate of his finest wine!