UNAMI: 979 people killed in Iraq last month

BAGHDAD, Oct. 1 (UPI) -- More than 950 Iraqis were killed and another 2,100 were injured in acts of terrorism or violence in Iraq last month, the U.N. mission there said Tuesday.

At least five explosions struck the Kurdish provinces of Iraq last weekend, killing at least six members of the region's security force, The New York Times reported Sunday.

The U.N. Assistance Mission in Iraq said Tuesday there were 979 people killed and another 2,133 injured during acts of terrorism and violence last month.

Baghdad province was the worst hit by September violence, accounting for nearly half of the total civilians killed and injured last month.

Violence in Iraq has escalated since U.S. combat forces left the country in 2011. Al-Qaida is said to be tied to some of the attacks.

Nickolay Mladenov, U.N. special envoy for Iraq, called on Iraqi political, religious and civil leaders to work together to end the bloodshed.

"As terrorists continue to target Iraqis indiscriminately, I call upon all political leaders to strengthen their efforts to promote national dialogue and reconciliation," he said in a statement.