At least 1,466 Iraqis killed in June due to armed conflict, up 40% from previous month

BAGHDAD – The United Nations says at least 1,466 Iraqis were killed by armed conflict in June, more than 40 percent more than in the previous month.

The U.N. mission to Iraq, known as UNAMI, said Wednesday that at least 665 civilians were among the dead, while the rest were members of Iraqi security forces and pro-government militias fighting the Islamic State group, which controls about one-third of Iraq and neighboring Syria. It put the number of the wounded at 1,687.

In May at least 1,031 people were killed and 1,684 wounded.

The U.N. said the latest figures are an "absolute minimum" as it has not been able verify causalities in conflict zones or count those who have died from the secondary effects of violence after fleeing their homes.