Iraq Quagmire Pushes Up Worldwide Refugee Numbers (first time in five years)

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Source: Belfast Telegraph, United Kingdom

The number of refugees around the world has increased for the first time in five years, according to the UN's refugee agency.

The High Commission for Refugees says the total number of displaced people around the world increased by 14% to almost 10 million last year.

The increase is the first since 2002 and has largely been driven by the huge numbers of people fleeing ongoing violence and instability in Iraq.

Around 1.5 million Iraqis fled their homeland to seek refuge in other countries since the US and Britain invaded Iraq in March 2003 to overthrow President Saddam Hussein.

However, the largest group of refugees remains the 2.1 million Afghans who still live outside their home country.



Read more: http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/breaking-news/world/middle-east/article2676347.ece