About the project

On 1 October 2010, AOAV’s Explosive Weapon Survey 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 four years, the data collected by AOAV paints a clear and consistent picture. The majority of casualties of these weapons are civilians. This pattern is especially pronounced when explosive weapons are used in populated areas.

Download the infographic: 2011-2014: The impact of explosive weapons

Key Findings

• Between 2011 and 2014 AOAV recorded almost 150,000 deaths and injuries from explosive weapons (144,545).
• 78% were civilians (112,262).
• When explosive weapons were used in populated areas 90% of the resulting casualties were civilians. This fell to 34% in attacks in non-populated areas.
• A casualty was recorded in 92 different countries and territories.
• The most affected countries were Iraq (35,959 civilian casualties), Syria (22,574), Pakistan (13,058), Afghanistan (8,686) and Gaza (4,769).

Archive

Annual Reports

Explosive States: Monitoring Explosive Violence in 2014

Published in June 2015

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 Events: Monitoring Explosive Violence in 2013

Published in April 2014

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.

An Explosive Situation: Monitoring Explosive Violence in 2012

Published in April 2013

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.

Monitoring Explosive Violence: The EVMP dataset 2011

Published in March 2012

AOAV’s first report on the impacts of explosive weapons use worldwide, analysing a sample of 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.

Monthly Updates

January 2015 – Ukraine: Ceasefire amid a surge of shelling

February 2015 – Nigeria: Suicide bombings and cross-border impacts of violence

March 2015 – Yemen: Massive mosque bombing and Operation Desert Storm

April 2015– Yemen: Aerial strikes pummel capital city