highest monthly death toll since the war began

Baghdad targeted civilian killings soar in May
Most were victims of execution-style murders, Iraqi official says

BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- Nearly 1,400 Iraqi civilians died in a wave of targeted killings in Baghdad last month, according to a high-ranking Iraqi Health Ministry official.

The figure does not include civilians killed in insurgent bombings, the official said. Even so, the number is the highest monthly death toll in the capital since the war began three years ago.
---
Heads found on highway

Iraqi police found nine heads Tuesday along a highway in Hadid, a town just west of Baquba about 37 miles (60 kilometers) north of Baghdad, police and hospital officials said.

The heads were wrapped in black plastic bags and shoved into fruit boxes, authorities said. Their identities could not be immediately confirmed.

It was the second such discovery in four days.

On Saturday, eight heads were found in Hadid and also had been stuffed into fruit boxes.

---