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4 killed in Iraqi bombings, closing out deadliest month in 2 years

By the CNN Wire Staff
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • NEW: Attack comes on same day Iraqi government releases data on deaths
  • NEW: July had highest number of civilian deaths so far this year
  • Double roadside bombing kills four people and wounds 11
RELATED TOPICS
  • Iraq

Baghdad, Iraq (CNN) -- Four people died in a double bombing in Baghdad on Saturday -- the same day Iraqi authorities released monthly data showing the highest number of civilian deaths and detentions so far this year.

Police in Baghdad say an Iraqi soldier was among those killed by the second of the two roadside bombs Saturday. The double attack occurred in the Rashid district, about 16 miles (25 kilometers) south of the Iraqi capital.

Police say a roadside bomb exploded near a municipal building. When Iraqi soldiers arrived to investigate the explosion, another roadside bomb went off.

A total of 11 people were wounded in the blasts.

The incident came on the same day Iraq's Ministry of Interior released details on violence and deaths that occurred around the country during the month of July. The information delineates between civilian, military and police deaths, and is compiled from a variety of Iraqi government sources, including the Ministries of Health, Defense and the Interior.

According to the data, 396 civilians were killed during July and 680 were wounded in acts of violence. Another 50 Iraqi soldiers killed and 165 wounded, while Iraqi police suffered 89 fatalities and 198 injuries.

Officials also say 100 so-called "terrorists" were killed and 955 "others" were detained.

The number of civilian deaths in July is nearly double that of June, when 204 civilians were killed. It's the highest monthly death toll for civilians since June 2008, according to Iraqi government figures.

July also saw the highest number of detentions so far this year. The previous high number of detentions during 2010 came in January, when 685 people were detained by security forces.

CNN's Mohammed Tawfeeq contributed to this report.