Diplomat calls for unity to prevent Iraq from falling apart BAGHDAD, Oct. 15 (UPI) -- The people of Iraq need to stand united during the Muslim Eid holiday in order to prevent civil society from falling apart, the U.N. special envoy to Iraq said. The U.N. Assistance Mission in Iraq said "scores" of people, including school-age children, were wounded or killed in a series of bombings across the country. Voice of America reported at least 11 people were killed Monday in Kirkuk after leaving morning prayers for the start of Eid al-Adha. No group took responsibility for the bombings. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement describing the attack as "particularly despicable" because it coincided with the holiday. UNAMI last week said 979 people were killed and 2,133 were injured in acts of terrorism and violence last month. More than two dozen people were killed in twin bombings in northern Nineveh province in early October. Nickolay Mladenov, U.N. special envoy to Iraq, called on civil, religious and political leaders alike to do more to bring stability to the country. "It is only through working together that the people of Iraq can stand up to the violence that is tearing society apart," he said in a statement Monday.