AFP sources reported Wednesday that militants shot down an Iraqi military helicopter north of Baghdad, killing four security force personnel and leaving at least 14 people dead in related violence.
Violence was also reported on Wednesday in Kirkuk, Nineveh, and Diyala. The Iraqi government approved a temporary hazard pay for security forces stationed in seven severe conflict areas in response to rising clashes throughout the country. Almost 1,000 people were killed in Iraq in September alone, according to UN sources.
