Terrorism and violence have slaughtered no less than 5,576 civilians in Iraq in the first half of this year, with 11,666 more wounded, according to a report released on Friday by the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Xinhua reported.
The report said that a minimum 4,410 civilians were killed and 7,517 others wounded throughout Iraq (excluding Anbar province) as a result of armed conflict and acts of terrorism between during the past six months.
According to the health department in Anbar province, a further 1,166 civilians were killed and 4,149 wounded during the same time period.
The report also mentioned that an estimated 1.2 million people were internally displaced before 5 July.
"International law requires that both the Iraqi State and armed groups take all measures to minimize the impact of violence on civilians, respect the principles of distinction and proportionality when carrying out military operations, a statement released later Friday quoted Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Iraq Nickolay Mladenov as saying.
The statement also called on the warring parties to "take steps to ensure the safety and protection of civilians by enabling them to leave areas affected by violence in safety and dignity, and to access basic humanitarian assistance at all times."
Iraq have been witnessing its worst security conditions that began more than a month ago when armed Sunni insurgents, spearheaded by an al-Qaida splinter group Islamic State in Iraq and Levant, launched a surprise offensive that led to the debacle of Iraqi security forces, and the fallen of a large part of the country's northern and western territories.