BAGHDAD – Militants killed 136 Iraqis in February, fewer than the previous month, as the country continues to grapple with insurgents just over a year after US troops withdrew, health ministry figures showed Saturday.



The country’s precarious sectarian and ethnic balance has come under growing strain from the conflict in neighboring Syria.



The figures showed 88 civilians, 22 soldiers and 26 policemen were killed last month. A further 228 people were wounded. In January, the death toll was 177.



Authorities said 33 militants were killed by security forces in February. – Reuters