Iraq death toll 'tops 1,000' in July, highest in years

Casualty figures released by the UN mission in Baghdad suggest 1,057 Iraqis were killed in July, making it the most violent month in years.

At least 4,137 civilians have been killed and 9,865 injured so far this year, with Baghdad province worst hit.

"The impact of violence on civilians remains disturbingly high," UN Iraq representative Gyorgy Busztin said.

"Iraq's political leaders must take immediate and decisive action to stop the senseless bloodshed," he warned.