Explosive violence by non-state actors

Action on Armed Violence has tracked the most harmful state and non-state users of explosive weapons over the past decade (2014-2023). ​​​​​​​​
​​
​​ In that time, non-state actors have caused 40% (99,291) of global civilian casualties, including 29,983 civilian fatalities. ​​​​​​​​
​​
​​ The most harmful non-state users of explosive weapons have been Islamic State (25,782 civilian casualties), the Afghan Taliban (6,576), Al Shabaab (4,897), the Houthis (3,175), and Boko Haram (3,036).

24 Mar 2026

Counting the Dead: Explosive weapons’ devastating impact on civilians in Sudan

Sudan has become one of the world’s deadliest conflicts for civilians. Across towns and cities, high numbers of civilians have been killed or injured by explosive weapons. This article analyses data from Action on Armed Violence on casualties caused by explosive violence in Sudan, focusing on the sharp escalation in the use of explosive weapons in populated areas since the conflict began, producing high civilian casualty rates per incident of use.