At least 1,094 civilians and security forces were killed
during May. This figure is only an estimate as many of the casualties occurred
behind the lines in the Ramadi area. Another 640 were wounded, but this figure
must be significantly lower than the actual number. Antiwar.com also compiled
reported casualty figures for militant forces. At least 2,983 were killed and
257 were wounded. These numbers were generally reported by the Iraqi government
and subject to their biases. On the other hand, comparatively few security figure casualty numbers are released, even though they are being killed and wounded in great numbers.
Together, at least 4,077 were killed and 897 were wounded. Those are lower figures than for April, before the fall of Ramadi, which is unlikely.
Prime minister Haider al-Abadi announced
the future participation of the Shi’ite militias in the liberation of Mosul.
The Kurds have rejected the use of the militias, but it is unclear if that
would stop the Peshmerga from cooperating in the upcoming battles.