On average, around 100 people are murdered in Iraq each day. Today was especially sad as innocent students in a notoriously violent district became the victims of mortar and bomb attacks. It is unclear as to who is directly responsible for these acts.

At least seven Iraqi children have died after their schools were caught up in a day of sustained violence across Baghdad and other parts of Iraq.

A mortar hit a Baghdad high school, killing at least five girls, while a bomb blast hit a primary school in Ramadi, leaving two children dead.

Fighting has meanwhile erupted near the holy city of Najaf, where a US military helicopter was reportedly shot down.

Police say 54 unidentified bodies were found in and around Baghdad on Sunday

On Saturday, police said 40 bodies were found - such deaths generally attributed to sectarian violence.

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