From 13 to 19 October 2023, AOAV has recorded 217 incidents of explosive violence around the world, and 1,619 civilian casualties.

In September 2023, Action on Armed Violence recorded 3,186 deaths and injuries from 539 incidents of explosive violence around the world, as reported in English-language media. Civilians accounted for 63% (2,007) of the deaths and injuries recorded.

On 24 September 2023, up to 30 people were killed and at least 50 injured in a truck bomb in Beledweyne, Hirshabelle.

Recent data from Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) coupled with records from Care4Calais shed light on the acute dangers that many asylum seekers coming to the UK face in their homelands.

Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) has made the difficult decision to cease its medical services at Las Anod General Hospital in the Sool region of Somalia due to increasing violence and security incidents that have compromised the safety of patients and healthcare workers. The escalating attacks on the hospital have made it impossible for MSF to provide medical care, leaving the community with limited access to vital healthcare services.

The period from January to June 2023 witnessed a total of 640 incidents involving Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), which accounted for 21% of all explosive weapon use during this time frame.

In June 2023, Action on Armed Violence recorded 2,671 deaths and injuries from 537 incidents of explosive violence around the world, as reported in English-language media. Civilians accounted for 67% (1,798) of the deaths and injuries recorded.

In his 2023 lecture at the Festival of Writing and Ideas, Dr. Iain Overton reflects on the persistent suffering of war victims throughout history, underscoring the critical need for empathy towards those fleeing from conflict zones, challenging discriminatory media rhetoric, and urging us to recognise our shared humanity in order to foster a compassionate, welcoming society.

The UN Secretary-General’s annual report on civilian protection in conflict zones highlights the grave impact of explosive weapons on civilians, especially in populated areas, praises the adoption of a political declaration aimed at strengthening civilian protection, and urges states to swiftly endorse and implement it to prevent further harm.

The UK’s Special Forces have been reported on operations in almost twenty countries in just over 10 years. Here we outline why this might be concern.

In April 2023, Action on Armed Violence recorded 2,632 deaths and injuries from 447 incidents of explosive violence around the world, as reported in English-language media. Civilians accounted for 64% (1,684) of the deaths and injuries recorded.

In 2022, AOAV recorded 31,273 deaths and injuries as a result of the use of explosive weapons around the world. Civilians continued to suffer disproportionately, accounting for 66% of total casualties, with 20,793 civilian deaths and injuries.