Gunmen down copter in north Baghdad, killing 5
Iran Press TV
Wed Oct 2, 2013 10:26AM GMT
Unidentified gunmen have downed a military helicopter in north of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, killing its five-member crew, officials say.
On Wednesday, a military official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the incident happened outside the city of Tikrit, 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of the Iraqi capital.
The official further noted that the helicopter was supporting the troops on the ground during a gun battle with militants.
Violence has surged across Iraq in recent months, reaching its highest level since 2008. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has said that attacks in the country aim to “reignite sectarian strife.”
The United Nations mission in Iraq (UNAMI) said on Tuesday that 979 people, including Iraqi civilians and security forces, have been killed in September.
According to the UN, a total of 1,057 Iraqis, including 928 civilians, were killed and another 2,326 wounded in terrorist attacks throughout the country in July.
Moreover, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees has expressed concern about the growing violence in Iraq, warning that the new spate of attacks would result in further internal displacement of civilians.
Iraq’s Interior Ministry has said that militants have launched an open war in Iraq and they want to push the Middle Eastern country into chaos.
"The country is currently facing an open war from bloodthirsty sectarian forces that aim to plunge the country into chaos," the Interior Ministry said in a statement issued on July 30.
IA/PR
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