BAGHDAD, Oct. 7 (UPI) -- Iraqi leaders need to step up to ensure there's a reasonable level of national security in place across the country, the U.N. special envoy said.
A string of suicide bombings across Iraq left more than two dozen people dead and more than 140 others injured. Two bombings in northern Nineveh province last weekend accounted for more than half the casualties.
The U.N. Assistance Mission in Iraq said unknown attackers targeting religious pilgrims, an elementary school and journalists. Nickolay Mladenov, U.N. special envoy to Iraq, called on religious and political leaders alike to do more to bring stability to the country.
"It is their responsibility to ensure that pilgrims can practice their religious duties, that school children can attend their classes, that journalists can exercise their professional duties, and that ordinary citizens can live a normal life, in an environment free of fear and violence," he said in a statement Sunday.
UNAMI said Tuesday there were 979 people killed and 2,133 injured during acts of terrorism and violence last month.
Baghdad province was the worst hit by September violence, accounting for nearly half 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.
