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| Militants kill 14 Iraqi villagers | Militants kill 14 Iraqi villagers |
| (4 days later) | |
| At least 14 Shia civilians have been killed in an attack by al-Qaeda militants on a village near the Iraqi city of Baquba, officials have said. | At least 14 Shia civilians have been killed in an attack by al-Qaeda militants on a village near the Iraqi city of Baquba, officials have said. |
| Local residents said 60 gunmen launched the raid on Duwailiya, 18km north of Baquba, shortly after daybreak. | Local residents said 60 gunmen launched the raid on Duwailiya, 18km north of Baquba, shortly after daybreak. |
| The attack came as figures suggested the number of Iraqis killed in bombings and shootings was continuing to fall. | The attack came as figures suggested the number of Iraqis killed in bombings and shootings was continuing to fall. |
| Iraqi officials said 606 civilians and security personnel died in November, continuing the trend of recent months. | Iraqi officials said 606 civilians and security personnel died in November, continuing the trend of recent months. |
| The data, compiled jointly by the interior, defence and health ministries, showed that 537 civilians, 45 police officers and 24 soldiers were killed. | The data, compiled jointly by the interior, defence and health ministries, showed that 537 civilians, 45 police officers and 24 soldiers were killed. |
| The figures mark a significant fall from the 887 Iraqis killed in October. | The figures mark a significant fall from the 887 Iraqis killed in October. |
| NOVEMBER TOLL 537 civilian deaths45 police killed24 soldiers killed37 US military deaths Source: Iraqi government Iraq violence in figures | NOVEMBER TOLL 537 civilian deaths45 police killed24 soldiers killed37 US military deaths Source: Iraqi government Iraq violence in figures |
| It would also be the lowest since February 2006, when an attack on the Shia shrine in Samarra set off a wave of sectarian violence in which thousands died. | It would also be the lowest since February 2006, when an attack on the Shia shrine in Samarra set off a wave of sectarian violence in which thousands died. |
| Mirroring the fall, combat deaths among US troops in Iraq are believed to have fallen to a 20-month low of 37 in November, according to calculations by news agencies. | Mirroring the fall, combat deaths among US troops in Iraq are believed to have fallen to a 20-month low of 37 in November, according to calculations by news agencies. |
| Correspondents have attributed the recent fall in violence to the US and Iraqi troop surge in and around Baghdad that began in February, and US co-operation with Sunni armed groups. | Correspondents have attributed the recent fall in violence to the US and Iraqi troop surge in and around Baghdad that began in February, and US co-operation with Sunni armed groups. |
| Other key factors are believed to have been the suspension of operations by the Mehdi Army militia of the radical Shia cleric, Moqtada Sadr, and the rejection of al-Qaeda by some Sunni Arab tribes. | Other key factors are believed to have been the suspension of operations by the Mehdi Army militia of the radical Shia cleric, Moqtada Sadr, and the rejection of al-Qaeda by some Sunni Arab tribes. |
| Daybreak raid | Daybreak raid |
| The attack on the village of Duwailiya began about 0700 (0400 GMT) on Saturday, local residents and officials said. | The attack on the village of Duwailiya began about 0700 (0400 GMT) on Saturday, local residents and officials said. |
| The village, which is home to members of the predominantly Shia Bawi tribe, was bombarded with mortar rounds before 60 militants streamed in and opened fire. | The village, which is home to members of the predominantly Shia Bawi tribe, was bombarded with mortar rounds before 60 militants streamed in and opened fire. |
| Fourteen people were killed during the assault, including four women and three children, and at least eight others wounded, local residents said. | Fourteen people were killed during the assault, including four women and three children, and at least eight others wounded, local residents said. |
| Ten houses were destroyed by the militants. | Ten houses were destroyed by the militants. |
| Several armed villagers later fought back, killing four al-Qaeda gunmen in the process, police said. | Several armed villagers later fought back, killing four al-Qaeda gunmen in the process, police said. |
| Twenty-five people were tied up and shot dead by al-Qaeda-linked militants during a similar raid on Duwailiya in July. | Twenty-five people were tied up and shot dead by al-Qaeda-linked militants during a similar raid on Duwailiya in July. |
| The village is in Diyala province, which has seen some of the highest levels of violence in Iraq since the US-led invasion in 2003. | The village is in Diyala province, which has seen some of the highest levels of violence in Iraq since the US-led invasion in 2003. |