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Explosive Violence Monitor

On 1 October 2010, AOAV’s Explosive Violence Monitor began recording global data on the immediate humanitarian impact of explosive weapons. The survey monitors English-language media reports of explosive weapons incidents in which at least one casualty was recorded. Data on the context of the incident and details of the resulting harm is logged and analysed on an ongoing basis. The data collected includes civilian and combatant casualties, the type of explosive weapon used, the means of deployment, the user of the weapon, and the location of the incident.

Over 13 years, the data collected by AOAV paints a clear and consistent picture. The vast majority of casualties of these weapons are civilians. This pattern is especially pronounced when explosive weapons are used in populated areas.

Background
AOAV’s Explosive Weapons Survey was developed to help address the gap in systematic data collection of casualties caused by the use of explosive weapons, as a contribution towards broader measuring and monitoring of all forms of armed violence.

While there are certain challenges and limitations in collecting data based on media reports, information collected by AOAV provides ongoing statistics on the problem of explosive weapons in populated areas, and enables monitoring of broad trends on a global scale. Information and data on the harm caused by explosive weapons is fundamental as a basis for improved protection of civilians, and for preventing the human suffering caused by the use of explosive weapons in populated areas.

Our annual Explosive Violence Monitor Reports

Explosive Violence Monitor 2022

AOAV recorded an increase of 83% in civilian casualties in 2022, up from 2021.

• In total, 19,632 civilians were killed and injured in populated areas.
• AOAV recorded 31,273 deaths and injuries by explosive weapons in 4,322 incidents in 2022. Of these, 20,793 were civilians – 66%.
• Civilian deaths and injuries in populated areas represented 90% of all reported deaths and injuries in such locations. This compares to 12% in other areas.
• Incidents were recorded in 60 countries and territories around the world.

Explosive Violence Monitor 2021

AOAV recorded an increase of 1% in civilian casualties in 2021, up from 2020.

• In total, 10,295 civilians were killed and injured in populated areas.
• AOAV recorded 19,473 deaths and injuries by explosive weapons in 2,489 incidents in 2021. Of these, 11,102  were civilians – 57%.
• Civilian deaths and injuries in populated areas represented 89% of all reported civilian deaths and injuries. This compares to 10% in other areas.
• Incidents were recorded in 57 countries and territories around the world.

Explosive Violence Monitor 2020

AOAV recorded a decrease of 43% in civilian casualties in 2020, down from 2019, largely in part to the impact of Covid19.

• In total, 9,880 civilians were killed and injured in populated areas.
• AOAV recorded 18,747 deaths and injuries by explosive weapons in 2,910 incidents in 2020. Of these, 11,056  were civilians – 59%.
• Civilian deaths and injuries in populated areas represented 88% of all reported civilian deaths and injuries. This compares to 16% in other areas.
• Incidents were recorded in 48 countries and territories around the world.

Explosive Violence Monitor 2019

AOAV recorded a decrease of 13% in civilian casualties in 2019, down from 2018.

• In total, 17,910 civilians were killed and injured in populated areas.
• AOAV recorded 29,485 deaths and injuries by explosive weapons in 3,816 incidents in 2019. Of these, 19,401 were civilians – 66%.
• Civilian deaths and injuries in populated areas represented 92% of all reported civilian deaths and injuries. This compares to 15% in other areas.
• Incidents were recorded in 60 countries and territories around the world.

Explosive Violence Monitor 2018

AOAV recorded a decrease of 30% in civilian casualties in 2018,  down from 2017.

• In total, 20,384 civilians were killed and injured in populated areas.
• AOAV recorded 32,110 deaths and injuries by explosive weapons in 3,461 incidents in 2018. Of these, 22,342 were civilians – 70%.
• When explosive weapons were used in populated areas, 90% of those killed and injured were civilians. This compares to 20% in other areas.
• Incidents were recorded in 64 countries and territories around the world; five more locations than in 2017.

Explosive Violence Monitor 2017

AOAV recorded a 38% increase in civilian deaths in 2017, up from 2016.

• 42,972 deaths and injuries by explosive weapons in 2,300 incidents in 2016.
• 31,904 were civilians – 74%.
• 92% of those killed and injured in populated areas were civilians, compared to 20% in other areas.
• 59 countries and territories had casualties. The worst five were Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen.
• Air-launched explosives caused 45% of recorded civilians casualties; Ground-launched explosive weapons caused 12%, IEDs explosive weapons caused 37%, the remaining 6% were caused by combination types.

Explosive Violence Monitor 2016

AOAV recorded a 7% increase in civilian deaths in 2016, up from 2015.

• 45,624 deaths and injuries by explosive weapons in 2,300 incidents in 2016.
• 32,088 were civilians – 70%.
• 92% of those killed and injured in populated areas were civilians, compared to 25% in other areas.
• 70 countries and territories had casualties. The worst five were Syria, Iraq, Yemen, Afghanistan and Turkey.
• IEDs caused 45% of recorded civilians casualties; Ground-launched explosive weapons caused 22%, Air-launched explosive weapons caused 31%, the remaining 2% were caused by combination types.

Explosive Violence Monitor 2015

AOAV recorded a 2% increase in civilian casualties in 2015, up from 2014.

• 43,786 deaths and injuries by explosive weapons in 2,170 incidents in 2015.
• 33,307 were civilians – 76%.
• 92% of those killed and injured in populated areas were civilians, compared to 31% in other areas.
• 64 countries and territories had casualties. The worst five were Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Nigeria and Afghanistan.
• IEDs caused 49% of recorded civilians casualties; Ground-launched explosive weapons caused 21%, Air-launched explosive weapons caused 28%, the remaining 2% were caused by combination types.

Explosive Violence Monitor 2014

AOAV recorded a 5% increase in civilian casualties in 2014, up from 2013.

• 41,847 total deaths and injuries in 2014.
• 78% were civilians (32,662 civilian deaths and injuries).
• 92% of casualties in populated areas were civilians, compared to 34% in other areas.
• 58 countries and territories had casualties. The worst five were Iraq, Syria, Gaza, Nigeria and Pakistan.
• IEDs caused 52% of recorded civilian casualties; Ground-launched explosive weapons caused 25%, Air-launched explosive weapons caused 18%, the remaining 5% were caused by combination types.

Explosive Violence Monitor 2013

AOAV recorded a 15% increase in civilian casualties in 2013, up from 2012.

• 37,809 total deaths and injuries in 2013.
• 82% were civilians (31,076 civilian deaths and injuries).
• 93% of casualties in populated areas were civilians, compared to 36% in other areas.
• 58 countries and territories were affected. The worst five were Ira, Syria, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Lebanon.
• IEDs caused 73.4% of recorded civilians casualties; Ground-launched explosive weapons caused 16.2%, Air-launched explosive weapons caused 6.4%, the remaining 4% were caused by combination types.

Explosive Violence Monitor 2012

AOAV recorded a 26% increase in civilian casualties in 2012, up from 2011.

• 34,758 total deaths and injuries in 2012.
• 78% were civilians (27,025 civilian deaths and injuries).
• 91% of casualties in populated areas were civilians, compared to 32% in other areas.
• 58 countries and territories were affected. The worst five were Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Nigeria.
• IEDs caused 63% of recorded civilian casualties; Ground-launched explosive weapons caused 25%, Air-launched explosive weapons caused 9%, the remaining 3% were caused by combination types.

Explosive Violence Monitor 2011

AOAV’s first report on the impacts of explosive weapons use worldwide, analysing 2,522 incidents recorded in 2011.

• 30,127 total deaths and injuries in 2011.
• 71% were civilians (21,499 civilian deaths and injuries).
• 84% of casualties in populated areas were civilians, compared to 35% in other areas.
• 68 countries and territories were affected. The worst five were Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Libya and Somalia.

Manufactured Explosives

The use of manufactured explosive weapons in populated areas continues to kill and maim tens of thousands of civilians every year. From air-dropped bombs exploding into apartment blocks in Gaza or landmines devastating lives in West Africa the use of manufactured explosive weapons in populated areas causes a predictable pattern of violence: it causes excessive civilian harm.

AOAV has been monitoring the worldwide impact of explosive weapons since 2011. Our Explosive Weapons Survey has shown that civilians make up the vast majority of deaths and injuries from explosive violence in populated areas. In 2019, AOAV published a report examining the reverberating harm from the conflict in Syria: The reverberating effects of explosive weapon use in Syria. This built upon AOAV’s 2018 report which examined the long-term harm to civilians from the use of explosive weapons, focusing on the civil war in Sri Lanka and the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war, in When the bombs fall silent. In 2017, AOAV also examined the impact of explosive weapons on refugees in the report, The Refugee Explosion.

AOAV has also produced the Wide-area impact report, examining the impact of air-dropped bombs in Yemen, mortar attacks on the Syrian-Jordanian border and multiple-rocket attacks in Ukraine. Other key reports on manufactured weapons include: Under Fire: Israel’s artillery policies scrutinised (pdf), Air Power in Afghanistan (pdf), and A Tale of Two Cities (pdf).

We are a founding member of the International Network on Explosive Weapons (INEW), and carry out research and advocacy to reduce the suffering caused by these weapons.

Improvised Explosive Devices

AOAV has conducted a range of work on Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs). Our research has examined IED components, impacts and data recording.

Key IED reports include:

Addressing the threat posed by IEDs examines the national, regional and global initiatives to counter IEDs.

Understanding the rising cult of the suicide bomber investigates what makes individuals give their lives, and take others, for causes propagated by these transnational terrorist groups.

Understanding the regional and transnational networks that facilitate IED use looks at the networks surrounding the largest terrorist groups

Anatomy of a Suicide Bombing, which investigates the impact of the attack at the Moon Market in Lahore, Pakistan in December 2009.

Blood on the Streets of Boston, on the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013, focusing on victim assistance.

Material Harm, an investigation into IED components and measures to prevent their spread.

Tracking IED Harm, explores current efforts to collect data on the use of IEDs globally and the value of this data.

Guns

Of all weapons of violence, guns cause the greatest harm. Yet, unlike other weapons types such as land mines or cluster munitions, they do not receive the same attention by the international community. Global figures are hard to come by, but it is estimated that over half a million of people die from armed violence every year and the highest proportion of these will be at the end of a gun. This is just those killed by guns, countless more are wounded, or take their lives with one.  AOAV seeks to stimulate the debate about guns and their role in violence through detailed research and focused advocacy.

Key Gun research

15 Mass shootings that changed the law, examines the impact gun massacres around the world have had on gun control.

US Department of Defense spend on guns in ‘War on Terror’, which investigates the amount spent and guns issued in the 14 years after the September 11 attacks. The report also has a particular focus on how many guns were procured for Iraq and Afghanistan during this period.

The Devil’s Trade: Guns and Violence in El Salvador (pdf), which investigates the ways in which violent groups arm and equip themselves in a country that experiences some of the world’s highest homicide rates year after year.

Advocacy work

AOAV works closely with UN bodies and individuals working there to disseminate our findings and research.

AOAV has been part of an expert working group on explosive weapons for the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining, on the advisory committee to the UK’s All Party Parliamentary Group on Explosive Weapons, as members of the Forum on the Arms Trade, on the Advisory Board for the NIHR Global Health Research Group on Post Conflict Trauma; PrOTeCT at Imperial College London and a member of the Global Alliance on War, Conflict & Health.

Recent citations of AOAV’s work via UN organisations and publications include:

Dublin Conference to Adopt the Political Declaration on Explosive Weapons 

United Nations Security Council, ‘Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict Report of the Secretary-General‘, 2021 (and previous years)

United Nations Environment Programme, ‘Environmental Legacy of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas‘, 2021.

UNIDIR, ‘Menu of Indicators to measure the reverberating effects on civilians from the use of explosive weapons in populated areas‘, 2020.

United Nations Security Council, ‘Report of the Secretary-General on the Protection of Civilians in Armed Conflict‘, 2016.

UN Human Rights Council, ‘Human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories‘, 2015.

UNIDIR, ‘Addressing Improvised Explosive Devices: Options and Opportunities to Better Utilize UN Processes and Actors‘, 2015.

UNOCHA and AOAV, ‘State of Crisis: Explosive Weapons in Yemen‘, 2015.

UNOCHA and PAX, ‘Shattered Lives: Civilians suffer from the use of explosive weapons in Libya‘, 2015.