The Iraqi ministry of health says more than 1,500 people were killed in attacks in Baghdad last month.

The figure is far higher than previously thought, and only slightly lower than July’s figure.

US military and Iraqi officials had previously said a major new security operation in Baghdad had dramatically reduced the number of killings.

Last month the US military spokesman in Iraq, Maj Gen William Caldwell, said the rate of violent deaths in Baghdad had fallen significantly from July to August.

US officials had suggested that the murder rate in Baghdad had dropped 52% in August compared to the daily rate for July. (emphasis mine) 

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