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2014 one of Iraq’s bloodiest years as casualty rates soar, UN mission reports | Indiablooms

New York, Jan 3 (IBNS) Casualty figures for Iraq in 2014 were at their highest in over five years amid a spate of deadly violence which has been convulsing the country, the United Nations mission in the country reported on Friday.

According to the latest figures issued by the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), last year saw a total of 12,282 Iraqis killed and another 23,126 injured, registering as the worst outburst of violence experienced by the country since the 2006-2007 biennium.

“Yet again, the Iraqi ordinary citizen continues to suffer from violence and terrorism,” said Nickolay Mladenov, the Secretary-General’s Special Representative and head of UNAMI, in a press release.

Since the beginning of 2014, Iraq has experienced a surge in violence as militants associated with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) conduct an ongoing offensive against the Government, threatening the country’s overall stability as well as the lives of thousands of Iraqi civilians.

In December alone, 1,101 Iraqis were killed and another 1,868 were wounded in what UNAMI defined as “acts of terrorism and violence,” The country experienced the peak of devastation in June with a total of 4,126 civilian casualties. UNAMI also noted that Baghdad was the worst-affected Governorate for the month of December with a total of 1,051 casualties reported.

Nonetheless, due to difficulties in conducting on-the-ground verifications of casualty figures, the UN Mission warned that the figures reported “have to be considered as the absolute minimum.”

In the press release,  Mladenov condemned the “very sad state of affairs” afflicting Iraq and voiced hope that 2015 would usher in a glimmer of peace, as he urged political actors to unite in finding “peaceful solutions to the problems that face the country.”

“I do hope that 2015…

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UN Mission meets Kirkuk officials and communities ahead of November elections

2025-07-03T11:15:28+00:00

Shafaq News – Kirkuk

The United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI) held a series of meetings with electoral officials and local communities in preparation for Iraq’s parliamentary elections scheduled for 11 November 2025.

Over two days, a UNAMI delegation led by Principal Electoral Adviser Dr. Aamir Arain met with staff at the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) office in Kirkuk and held separate discussions with representatives of the province’s Arab, Turkmen, and Kurdish components.

Kirkuk has an estimated 1.1 million eligible voters.

At the IHEC office, the UN team reviewed the progress of technical preparations and raised key concerns shared by electoral stakeholders. The meetings focused on practical steps to ensure transparency, inclusive participation, and public confidence in the electoral process.

UNAMI also met with political and community leaders from across Kirkuk’s diverse constituencies. Talks centered on mechanisms for supporting a peaceful and credible vote in a province that has long experienced political tensions. Participants agreed to maintain open communication as Iraq moves closer to election day.

Notably, the United Nations played an advisory and observatory role during Iraq’s October 2021 parliamentary elections. However, it did not participate in the provincial council elections held in December 2023.

UN involvement in 2021 was welcomed by many Iraqi civil society organizations as a vital safeguard for transparency and fairness. At the same time, some political actors criticized the mission’s role as overstepping Iraq’s internal sovereignty.



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Iraqi Speaker to UN: Stop Israeli violations

2025-06-17T20:36:48+00:00

Shafaq News/ On Tuesday, Iraqi Parliament Speaker Mahmoud al-Mashhadani urged the UN to take a more active role in addressing what he described as ongoing “violations by the Zionist entity [Israel]” across Iran, Gaza, Syria, and Yemen.

The call came during a meeting in Baghdad with UN representative in Iraq, Mohamed al-Hassan, according to a statement from the Iraqi Parliament.

Al-Mashhadani emphasized the need for the international body to help protect peace and security in the region and to prevent further conflict escalation.

The two officials also discussed Iraq’s upcoming elections, with al-Hassan confirming that the UN has appointed qualified international observers to monitor the vote and contribute to its success.

The meeting touched on human rights issues, the return of internally displaced persons (IDPs), and the finalization of Iraq’s Independent Human Rights Commission. Al-Hassan noted that Iraq is currently a candidate for membership in the UN Human Rights Council.

He praised Iraq’s democratic progress, describing the country as being “in its best condition” and commending the role of the Parliament and its speaker in legislative reforms and shaping Iraq’s future.

Al-Hassan also highlighted Iraq’s emerging regional influence, calling it a leader with “historical depth” in the Middle East.

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UN committed to supporting ‘free, fair and transparent election with the participation of all Iraqis’

“Iraq is a nation of profound history, strength, potential, and pride. By working together, Iraqis can continue to make meaningful strides towards stability, prosperity and human rights for all,” said Special Representative Mohamed Al Hassan, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI).

He provided updates on political, human rights and other developments over the past six months, and the Mission’s ongoing support to the authorities as it prepares to leave at the end of the year.

UNAMI was established in 2003 and works to advance inclusive political dialogue as well as reconciliation at the national and community levels, among other mandated tasks.

Parliamentary elections ahead

At the outset, Mr. Hassan commended the Iraqi Government for providing humanitarian aid to people in Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen and Syria, and for supporting the new peace initiative between Türkiye and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, a militant group known as PKK.

He said Iraq is well on the way to fresh parliamentary elections set for 11 November, and the Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) is making notable progress towards polling day, with UNAMI’s technical support.

Although voter registration should conclude in the coming days, and nearly three-quarters of all voters have completed biometric registration, challenges and logistical concerns remain.

Supporting the vote

“But IHEC is committed to doing its best towards a free, fair and transparent election with the participation of all Iraqis without fear and intimidation,” he said.

“UNAMI will spare no effort in providing the most professional technical support towards this end, including efforts to promote the widest participation of women, youth and minorities.”

Mr. Al Hassan also reported on the aftermath of the successful parliamentary elections held in the Kurdistan region in northern Iraq last October. With formation of a regional government still outstanding, he called for a spirit of compromise to break the impasse.

Returnees from Syria

Turning…

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Iraq progressing toward further stability, ‘regional integration’ ahead of 2025 elections: UN envoy

HAMILTON, Canada 

The UN envoy for Iraq on Tuesday said the country is progressing toward further “stability, prosperity, and regional integration,” with upcoming elections marking a key step forward.

“I would like to mention the most notable developments, at the forefront of which is Iraq’s drive towards more stability, prosperity, and regional integration,” Mohamed Al Hassan, the UN special representative and head of the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), said at a UN Security Council session.

He emphasized that “Iraq is well on its way to another national parliamentary election, set for 11 November 2025,” while acknowledging existing logistical challenges.

“Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC) is committed to doing its best towards a free, fair and transparent election,” he said, pledging UNAMI’s “most professional technical support towards.”

Al Hassan further stressed the importance of cooperation between Baghdad and Erbil, calling it “a partnership that necessitates ongoing dialogue and collaboration, grounded in the Constitution of Iraq, to effectively address and resolve any outstanding issues between the two sides.”

He raised concerns over internally displaced persons, noting that while Iraq is making progress on returns from northeast Syria, the situation “continues to demand urgent attention.”

“Commitment to human rights is at the heart of Iraq’s stability and development,” he added.

Hailing the resumption of Iraq-Kuwait border talks, the UN envoy called them “a welcome development” and stressed: “Continued efforts to rebuild trust and confidence between the two brotherly neighbors are essential for forging a more stable and cooperative future.”

With just over six months remaining on UNAMI’s mandate, he assured the council of a “structured transition according to schedule,” thanking Iraq’s transition team.

“I wish to reiterate my confidence in the resilience of the Iraqi people and the determination of their leaders,” he said.

UNAMI is a political mission established by the 2003 UN Security Council Resolution 1500 at the request…

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The UK commends the publication of Iraq’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Firstly, we welcome the smooth transition period towards the end of the mandate of the United Nations Assistance Mission in Iraq. It is encouraging to see that Iraq has remained stable despite an escalation of conflict in the region during the last 6 months. 

We commend the publication of Iraq’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security and the announcement of a date for federal elections.

UNAMI’s support to the Independent High Electoral Commission on the upcoming elections has been very valuable. And it was very good to hear today, from the SRSG, about the progress being made toward key milestones.

We look forward to UNAMI assisting the Government of Iraq during the remainder of its mandate in ensuring the elections are free and fair.

Second, President, we continue to follow closely efforts in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq to form its regional government.  

This is vital for the stability of the KRI and should ideally precede the federal elections. We hope that the political leaders and parties of the KRI can overcome their differences and form a government soon.

In this important electoral year for Iraq, we urge the Government of Iraq to ensure the protection of freedom of expression and freedom of peaceful assembly, and to strengthen legal protection guarantees for journalists, the media and civil society.

Finally, President, we thank the Secretary-General for his recent report on Kuwait, Iraq missing persons. As penholder on this issue and a member of the ICRC-chaired Tripartite Commission, we look forward to working with Iraq, Kuwait and all other interested parties to identify a route forward.

In this regard, we are committed to undertaking close engagement with Council Members, stakeholders and the Secretariat regarding an appropriate post-UNAMI follow-on mechanism in the coming weeks.

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UN Security Council Briefing Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Iraq Dr. Mohamed Al Hassan, 10 June 2025 [EN/AR]

New York, 10 June 2025
[As Delivered]

Madame President,

Distinguished representatives of Council members,

Allow me to begin by expressing my joy to seeing (a dear friend and colleague) preside over the work of the Council. Let me express my profound appreciation to members of this esteemed Council for their attention, support, and guidance. I am so delighted to seeing the distinguished representatives of Iraq and Kuwait participate in today’s session. A word of gratitude must be given to the Secretary-General of the United Nations for his continued engagement in the Middle East, including his recent visit to Baghdad for the Arab Summit.

Madame President,

Distinguished Representatives,

Between my last report, six months ago, and now so many things have happened in Iraq which I will not list here, however, with your permission, I would like to mention the most notable developments at the forefront of which is Iraq’s drive towards more stability, more prosperity, and closer regional integration.

My profound appreciation goes to the Government of Iraq for the humanitarian aid it has provided to the people of Gaza, Lebanon, Yemen, and Syria. Not to mention, its support to the new peace initiative between Türkiye and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party, which, if implemented in good faith, will bring peace, security, and stability to the region at large.

Madame President,

Distinguished Representatives,

Iraq is well on its way to another national parliamentary election, set for 11thof November this year. Iraq’s Independent High Electoral Commission (IHEC), with UNAMI’s technical support, are making notable progress in preparing for this election. Voter registration is set to conclude in the coming days and nearly three-quarters of total voters have completed biometric registration so far.

Yes, there are challenges, including logistical concerns. But IHEC is committed to doing its best towards a free, fair and…

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Unami Middle School team three-peats as Central Bucks softball champ

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UN mission in Iraq closes key Mosul office as it winds down operations

A special mission established by the UN in 2003 at the request of the Iraq government has shut down a key office, in another step towards ceasing operations in the country by the end of this year.

The UN Assistance Mission in Iraq closed its offices Mosul this week. Unami, which has its headquarters in Baghdad, was set up after the US-led invasion that toppled the dictatorship of Saddam Hussein.

It was given a broad mandate to help develop Iraqi institutions, support political dialogue and elections, and promote human rights. The agency’s heads have shuttled between Iraq’s political, security and judicial officials to help resolve conflicts.

Baghdad requested last year that the mission end by 2025, saying it was no longer needed because Iraq had made significant progress towards stability. “Iraq has managed to take important steps in many fields, especially those that fall under Unami’s mandate,” Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al Sudani said in a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.

However, the mission will continue to deliver in its remaining mandate, “including providing technical electoral assistance, promoting human rights, supporting humanitarian and development tasks”, an Unami representative told The National.

In the final months of the year, the agency’s work will be “transferred to the UN Country Team operating in Iraq or to the national authorities”, the representative said.

“In short, while Unami is leaving Iraq, the United Nations is not. The United Nations will continue to engage in support of the Government and the people of Iraq.”

Unami closed its office in the northern city of Kirkuk at the end of April. Its remaining offices in Erbil, capital of the Kurdish region, and in the southern city of Basra will be closed along with its headquarters at the end…

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