Iraq

Casualties

In December 2022, there were 22 incidents of explosive weapon use recorded in Iraq, seven of which resulted in 20 civilian casualties, four of whom were killed and 16 injured. Civilian casualties included at least six children. Civilians accounted for 19% of all 104 casualties, as 84 armed-actor casualties were also reported, 68 of whom were killed and 16 injured.

The highest casualty incident occurred on 19 December 2022, when five civilians were injured in mortar shelling by unknown actors of a civilian residence in Nahr al-Izz, Maysan.

Sources: ISHM

Casualties

In November 2022, there were 17 incidents of explosive weapon use recorded in Iraq, which resulted in 20 civilian casualties, two of whom were killed and 18 injured. Civilians accounted for 21% of all casualties as 74 armed-actor casualties were also reported, 55 of whom were killed and 19 injured.

All civilian casualties occurred in populated areas. Specifically, 60% (12) occurred in public buildings, 25% (5) in urban residential areas, 10% (2) in a market and 5% (1) in a village.

The regions in which civilian casualties were reported in Iraq were Erbil (17 civilian casualties) and Nineveh (3).

The majority of civilian casualties, 12, were reportedly caused by explosive weapon use by Iranian armed forces. The use of explosive weapons by actors of unknown name and status resulted in six civilian casualties, and use by unknown non-state actors resulted in two civilian casualties. 

Air-launched explosive weapons, specifically airstrikes, caused the majority, 60% (12), of civilian casualties. Directly-emplaced explosive weapons caused 40% (8) of civilian casualties, specifically landmines (5) and IEDs (3). 

The highest casualty incident occurred on 14th November 2022, when a drone strike on Kurdistan Democratic Party headquarters by Iranian forces killed two civilians and injured 10 more in Koysinjaq, Erbil.

The number of incidents of explosive weapon use in Iraq in November 2022 fell compared to the number seen in October, when 26 incidents were recorded. Casualties also fell compared to October, when 73 civilian casualties were recorded. 

Sources: Reuters, Al Jazeera, Crisis 24

Casualties

In October 2022, there were 26 incidents of explosive weapon use recorded in Iraq, 18 of which resulted in 73 civilian casualties, 17 of whom were killed and 56 injured. At least three civilian casualties were reportedly women, and two were children. Civilians accounted for 65% of all 112 casualties, as 39 armed-actor casualties were also recorded, 14 of whom were killed and 25 injured. 

All civilian casualties occurred in populated areas. Specifically, 42% (31) occurred in urban residential areas, 41% (30) in locations impacting multiple urban areas, 8% (6) on roads, 4% (3) in villages, 3% (2) in entertainment venues, and 1% (1) in public buildings.

The regions in which civilian casualties were reported in Iraq were Baghdad (50 civilian casualties), Nineveh (8), Erbil (6), Sulaymaniyah (3), Babil (2), Diyala (2), Dhi-Qar (1), and Basra (1).

The majority of civilian casualties, 77% (56), were caused by non-state actors' use of explosive weapons, in particular unknown non-state actors (54 civilian casualties) and ISIS (2). Actors of unknown name and status caused 21% (15) of civilian casualties. State actors, specifically Turkey, caused 3% (2) of civilian casualties.

The use of directly-emplaced weapons caused the majority, 67% (49), of civilian casualties, specifically non-specific IEDs (41), roadside bombs (6) and car bombs (2). Ground-launched weapons caused 25% (18) of civilian casualties, specifically grenades (9), rockets (7), and mortars (2). Air-launched weapons, specifically air strikes, caused 7% (5) of civilian casualties. 

The highest casualty incident took place on 29 October 2022, when 10 civilians were killed and 20 injured when an IED planted underneath a vehicle exploded near a football stadium in Baghdad, causing a gas tanker to explode. 

The number of incidents of explosive weapon use in Iraq in October 2022 saw a small rise from September, in which 23 incidents were recorded. However, more civilian casualties, 79, were recorded in September (14 killed and 65 injured). In August, there were 22 reported incidents of explosive weapon use which caused 443 civilian casualties (32 killed and 411 injured).

Sources: Middle East Eye, Reuters, Associated Press, ISHM, Kurdistan 24, Bas News, Airwars, ISHM II, Bas News II

Casualties

In September 2022, there were 23 incidents of explosive weapon use recorded in Iraq, seven of which resulted in 79 civilian casualties, 14 of whom were killed and 65 injured. At least one civilian casualty was reportedly a woman. Civilians accounted for 50% of all 159 casualties, as 80 armed-actor casualties were also recorded, 45 of whom were killed and 35 injured. 

The majority of civilian casualties, 99% (78), occurred in populated areas. Specifically, 90% (71) occurred in locations in which the detonation of an explosive weapon affects multiple types of spaces within an urban environment, 4% (3) in villages, 4% (3) in markets, and 1% (1) in agricultural lands.

The regions in which civilian casualties were reported in Iraq were Kurdistan (71 civilian casualties), Baghdad (3), Diyala (2), Erbil (2), and Nineveh (1).

The majority of civilian casualties, 91% (72), were caused by state actors' use of explosive weapons, in particular Iran (71 civilian casualties) and Turkey (1). Unknown non-state actors caused 8% (6) of civilian casualties, and actors of unknown name and status caused 1% (1) of civilian casualties.

The use of air-launched weapons caused 90% (71) of civilian casualties, specifically air strikes. Directly-emplaced weapons caused 9% (7) of civilian casualties, specifically non-specific IEDs (6) and landmines (1). Ground-launched weapons caused 1% (1) of civilian casualties, specifically non-specific shelling. 

The highest casualty incident took place on 28 September 2022, when 13 civilians were killed, including one pregnant woman, and 58 injured in Iranian drone and missile strikes targeting Kurdish militants in Sulaimaniyah and Erbil. 

The number of incidents of explosive weapon use in Iraq in September 2022 saw a small rise from August, in which 22 incidents were recorded. However, more civilian casualties, 443, were recorded in August (32 killed and 411 injured). In July, there were 17 reported incidents of explosive weapon use which caused 89 civilian casualties (20 killed and 69 injured).

Sources: Reuters, BBC, The Guardian UK, Kurdistan24

Casualties

In August 2022, there were 22 reported incidents of explosive weapon use in Iraq, six of which resulted in 443 civilian casualties, 32 of whom were killed and 411 injured. At least two civilian casualties were reportedly children. Civilians accounted for 90% of all 492 casualties, as 49 armed-actor casualties were also recorded, 28 of whom were killed and 21 injured. 

The majority of civilian casualties, 99% (441), occurred in populated areas. Specifically, 93% (431) occurred in urban residential areas, 2% (9) in encampments, and <1% (1) in villages.

The regions in which civilian casualties were reported in Iraq were Baghdad (429 civilian casualties), Erbil (5), Nineveh (4), Diyala (4), and Kirkuk (1).

The majority of civilian casualties, 97% (429), were caused by groups of unknown status and name. Non-state actors’ use of explosive weapons caused 2% (9) of civilian casualties, specifically unknown non-state actors (7) and ISIS (2). State actors caused 1% (5) of civilian casualties, specifically Turkey.

The use of ground-launched weapons caused 97% (429) of civilian casualties, specifically combined explosive weapons. Directly-emplaced weapons caused 2% (9) of civilian casualties, specifically non-specific IEDs. Air-launched weapons caused 1% (5) of civilian casualties, specifically air strikes. 

The highest casualty incident took place on 29 August 2022, when 30 people were killed and 400 injured by mortar shelling, rocket-propelled grenades, and heavy machine guns in clashes in Baghdad's Green Zone, when militias loyal to the dominant political parties became involved in civilian protests.  

The number of incidents of explosive weapon use in Iraq in August 2022 saw a rise from July, in which 17 incidents were recorded, which caused 89 civilian casualties (20 killed and 69 injured). In June, there were 21 reported incidents of explosive weapon use which caused 46 civilian casualties (16 killed and 30 injured).

Sources: Iraqi News, CounterCurrents, ISHM, ANF, ANHA, ANF II, ISHM II, Reuters, MNA, ANF III, 

Casualties

In July 2022, there were 17 reported incidents of explosive weapon use in Iraq, 13 of which resulted in 89 civilian casualties, 20 of whom were killed and 69 injured. At least six civilian casualties were reportedly women and 11 were children. Civilians accounted for 83% of all 107 casualties, as 18 armed-actor casualties were also recorded, nine of whom were killed and nine injured. 

The majority of civilian casualties, 79% (70), occurred in populated areas. Specifically, 61% (54) occurred in entertainment venues, 11% (10) in urban residential areas, and 7% (6) in villages. Of the remaining civilian casualties, 9% (8) occurred on roads, 6% (5) in other locations, 6% (5) in locations where no information was reported, and 1% (1) on armed bases.

The regions in which civilian casualties were reported in Iraq were Duhok (54 civilian casualties), Nineveh (18), Diyala (10), Baghdad (3), Salahuddin (3), and Sulaimaniyah (1).

The majority of civilian casualties, 69% (61), were caused by state actors’ use of explosive weapons, specifically Turkey. Non-state actors’ use of explosive weapons caused 30% (27) of civilian casualties, specifically unknown non-state actors (26 civilian casualties), and ISIS (1). Groups of unknown name and status caused 1% (1) of civilian casualties.  

The use of air-launched weapons caused 69% (61) of civilian casualties, specifically air strikes. Directly-emplaced weapons caused 29% (26) of civilian casualties, specifically non-specific IEDs (16 civilian casualties), roadside bombs (9), and landmines (1). Ground-launched weapons caused 2% (2) of civilian casualties, specifically grenades. 

The highest casualty incident took place on 20 July 2022, when nine civilians were killed, including at least three children, and 45 were injured, including four women and two children, in an alleged Turkish drone strike on a tourist resort in Barakh village, Duhok.  

The number of incidents of explosive weapon use in Iraq in July 2022 saw a small decrease from June, in which 22 incidents were recorded. However, significantly fewer civilian casualties were recorded in June (47 civilian casualties, 16 killed and 31 injured). In May, there were 26 reported incidents of explosive weapon use which caused 42 civilian casualties (14 killed, 28 injured).

Sources: Airwars, AFP, Al Monitor, Iraqi News, MEHR, Airwars II

Casualties

In June 2022, there were 22 reported incidents of explosive weapon use in Iraq which resulted in 47 civilian casualties, 16 of whom were killed and 31 injured. At least five civilian casualties were reportedly women and six were children. Civilians accounted for 59% of all casualties, as 33 armed-actor casualties were also recorded, 19 of whom were killed and 14 injured. 

The majority of civilian casualties, 72% (34), occurred in populated areas. Specifically, 19% (9) occurred in villages, 19% (9) in urban residential areas, 19% (9) in markets, 11% (5) on roads, and 4% (2) in commercial premises. 

The regions in which civilian casualties were reported in Iraq were Diyala (16 civilian casualties), Nineveh (11), Sulaimaniyah (8), Baghdad (7), Duhok (4), and Erbil (1).

The majority of civilian casualties, 40% (19), were caused by non-state actors’ use of explosive weapons. Specifically, ISIS were the reported perpetrators of 23% (11) of civilian casualties, and unknown non-state actors of 17% (8). State actors’ use of explosive weapons caused 38% (18) of civilian casualties, specifically Turkey. Groups of unknown name and status caused 21% (10) of civilian casualties.  

The use of ground-launched weapons caused 45% (21) of civilian casualties, specifically grenades (19 civilian casualties) and shelling (2). Air-launched weapons caused 34% (16) of civilian casualties, specifically air strikes (14 civilian casualties) and air-dropped bombs (2). Directly-emplaced weapons caused 15% (7) of civilian casualties, specifically roadside bombs (5 civilian casualties) and non-specific IEDs (2). Weapons of unclear launch method were the cause of the remaining 6% (3) of civilian casualties. 

The highest casualty incident took place on 05 June 2022, when five civilians, including three children, were killed and six injured in an ISIL grenade attack in Diyala, in which firearms were also used.  

The number of incidents of explosive weapon use in Iraq in June 2022 saw a small decrease from May, in which 26 incidents were recorded. However, slightly fewer civilian casualties were recorded in May (42 civilian casualties, 14 killed and 28 injured). In April, there were 30 reported incidents of explosive weapon use which caused 19 civilian casualties (six killed, 13 injured).

Sources: MNA, Reuters, ANHA, Airwars, MENA, ISHM, ANHA II, ANHA III, Airwars II, ANHA IV, Airwars III

Casualties

In May 2022, there were 26 reported incidents of explosive weapon use in Iraq which resulted in 42 civilian casualties, 14 of whom were killed and 28 injured. At least three civilian casualties were recorded as children. Civilians accounted for 33% of all casualties, as 87 armed-actor casualties were also recorded, 74 of whom were killed and 13 injured. 

The majority of civilian casualties, 83% (35), occurred in populated areas. Specifically, 50% (21) occurred in villages, 19% (8) in encampments, and 14% (6) in urban residential areas. 

The regions in which civilian casualties were reported in Iraq were Diyala (14 civilian casualties), Sulaimaniyah (11), Nineveh (9), Duhok (6), Dhi-Qar (1), and Basra (1).

The majority of civilian casualties, 52% (22), were caused by non-state actors’ use of explosive weapons. Specifically, ISIS were the reported perpetrators of 38% (16) of civilian casualties, and unknown non-state actors of 14% (6). State actors’ use of explosive weapons caused 31% (13) of civilian casualties, specifically Turkey, 26% (11) and Iraq, 5% (2). 

The use of ground-launched weapons caused  33% (14) of civilian casualties, specifically mortars. Air-launched weapons caused 31% (13) of civilian casualties, specifically air strikes. Directly emplaced weapons caused 21% (9) of civilian casualties, specifically non-specific IEDs (7), roadside bombs (1), and mines (1). Weapons of unclear launch method were the cause of the remaining 14% (6) of civilian casualties. 

The highest casualty incident took place on 23 May 2022, when six civilians were killed and eight injured, and one soldier was injured, in ISIS mortar attacks on a village in Diyala. Firearms were also used. 

The number of incidents of explosive weapon use in Iraq in May 2022 saw a sharp rise from April, in which 30 incidents were recorded that caused 19 civilian casualties (six killed and 13 injured). Similarly, in March, there were 17 reported incidents of explosive weapon use which caused 21 civilian casualties (nine killed, 12 injured).

Sources: MENA, ISHM, MEHR, ANHA, Airwars, Airwars II, AFP, AFP II, ISHM 

CASUALTIES

In April 2022, there were 25 incidents of explosive weapon use recorded in Iraq, which caused 12 civilian casualties, four of whom were killed and eight injured. Civilians accounted for 16% of the total 75 casualties, as there were also 63 recorded armed-actor casualties, 34 of whom were killed and 29 injured. 

IEDs caused 83% (10) of civilian casualties in Iraq in April 2022, and 68% (43) of armed-actor casualties. 

The incident with the highest recorded number of civilian casualties took place on 22 April 2022, when two civilians were killed and two injured in a roadside bomb explosion in Khanaqin.

Sources: Rudaw, IANS

Casualties

In March 2022, there were 10 incidents of explosive weapon use recorded in Iraq, six of which caused nine civilian casualties, two of whom were killed and seven injured. These civilian casualties included at least one child. Civilians accounted for 50% of the total of 18 casualties of explosive weapon use recorded in March, as five armed-actors were also reportedly killed and four injured. 

Five of the nine civilian casualties occurred in populated areas, and the remaining four civilian casualties occurred in locations with an unknown population density. The specific locations in which civilian casualties occurred were urban residential areas (5), a village (2), and agricultural land (2).

The four provinces in which civilian casualties were recorded were Diyala (4), Erbil (2), Nineveh (2), and Dhi-Qar (2).

Directly-emplaced weapons, specifically improvised explosive devices and roadside bombs, were the cause of seven civilian casualties. Ground-launched weapons, specifically a missile strike, caused two civilian casualties. 

Non-state actors were the reported perpetrator in the case of seven civilian casualties, though the specific groups were unknown. The perpetrator status and group was unknown in the case of two civilian casualties. 

The incident with the highest number of civilian casualties occurred on 30 March 2022, when two farmers and several animals were killed by an improvised explosive device on agricultural land in Baquba, Diyala.

Sources: ISHM

Casualties

In February 2022, there were 20 incidents of explosive weapon use recorded in Iraq. Across eight of these incidents, there were 35 recorded civilian casualties, 12 of whom were killed and 23 injured. These civilian casualties included at least two children. Civilians represented 40% of the total of 90 casualties of explosive weapon use recorded in January, as 13 armed-actors were also reportedly killed and 23 injured. 

Two of the 35 civilian casualties occurred in populated areas, and the remaining 33 civilian casualties occurred in locations with an unknown population density. The specific locations in which civilian casualties occurred were roads (4), a village (1), an urban residential area (1), and agricultural land (1). The location type in the case of 28 civilian casualties was unknown.

The four provinces in which civilian casualties were recorded were Nineveh (29 civilian casualties), Anbar (4), Baghdad (1), and Duhok (1). 

Air-launched weapons, specifically air strikes, were the cause of 26 civilian casualties, nine of whom were killed and 17 injured. Directly-emplaced weapons, specifically non-specific IEDs and roadside bombs, were the cause of eight civilian casualties. Ground-launched weapons, specifically a grenade blast, caused one civilian casualty. 

State actors, all of whom were Turkish military forces, were the reported perpetrator in 75% of civilian casualties. Non-state actors were the reported perpetrator in the case of eight civilian casualties, four of which were directly attributed to the Islamic State. The perpetrator status was unknown in the case of one civilian casualty. 

The highest casualty incident took place on 2 February 2022, when eight civilians were killed and 17 wounded in a Turkish airstrike on Makhmour camp for displaced people.

Sources: ISHM I, ISHM II,  Rudaw I, Rudaw II, Airwars, Xinhua,

Casualties

In January 2022, there were 23 incidents of explosive weapon use recorded in Iraq. Across seven of these incidents, there were 15 recorded civilian casualties, three of whom were killed and 12 injured. These civilian casualties included at least four children, two women, and one man. Civilians represented 21% of the total of 73 casualties of explosive weapon use recorded in January, as 38 armed-actors were also reportedly killed and 20 injured. 

Twelve of the 15 civilian casualties occurred in populated areas, and the remaining three civilian casualties occurred in locations with an unknown population density. The locations in which civilian casualties occurred were urban residential areas (3), schools (3), agricultural land (3), roads (3), villages (1), public buildings (1), and commercial premises (1).

Directly-emplaced weapons, specifically non-specific IEDs and roadside bombs, were the cause of nine of the 15 civilian casualties. Ground-launched weapons, specifically a rocket strike, caused six civilian casualties. There were no recorded civilian casualties from air-launched weapons.

Non-state actors were the reported perpetrator in the case of nine of the 15 civilian casualties, though specific groups were unknown. The perpetrator status was unknown in the case of six civilian casualties. 

The four provinces in which civilian casualties were recorded were Baghdad (8 civilian casualties), Anbar (3), Babil (3), and Salahuddin (1). 

The highest casualty incident took place on 28 January, when three members of a family were killed by an IED on a farm in Jbala, Babil. The perpetrator of the incident was unknown. 

Sources: ISHM

Casualties

In December 2021, there were 20 recorded incidents of explosive weapon use in Iraq. Across nine of these incidents, 33 civilian casualties were recorded, 27 of whom were injured and six killed. Civilians accounted for 45% of the total 74 casualties, as there were also 41 armed-actor casualties recorded, including 22 deaths and 19 injuries. 

All but one of the 33 civilian casualties occurred in populated areas, specifically 73% (24) of civilian casualties took place in a hospital, 21% (7) in villages, as well as one in an urban residential area, and one in agricultural land. 

Directly-emplaced weapons, specifically improvised explosive devices, were the cause of the vast majority of civilian casualties, 31 of 33. Ground-launched weapons, specifically a mortar strike, caused one civilian injury, and an airstrike also caused one civilian injury. 

Non-state actors were the reported perpetrator in 31 of the 33 civilian casualties. The Islamic State was specifically named as the perpetrator in the case of five civilian casualties. The perpetrator status in the case of one civilian casualty was unknown, and one civilian was injured in a state airstrike by Turkish armed forces. 

The four provinces in which civilian casualties were recorded were Basra (24), Nineveh (6), Diyala (2), and Duhok (1). 

The highest casualty incident took place on 7 December, when a motorcycle improvised explosive device was detonated near a hospital, killing at least four civilians and wounding 20 others. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack, though it is suspected to have been the Islamic State.

Civilian casualties of explosive weapon use in Iraq in December 2021 were nearly double that of November, returning to similar levels recorded in the preceding months. Directly-emplaced weapons, specifically improvised explosive devices, remain the leading cause of civilian death and injury from explosive weapons in Iraq.

Sources: Reuters, Al Jazeera

Casualties

In November 2021, there were 20 recorded incidents of explosive weapon use that caused 18 civilian casualties in Iraq. Of these, 16 civilians were injured and two killed. Civilians accounted for 25% of the total 64 casualties. There were an additional 46 armed-actor casualties, including 24 deaths and 22 injuries. 

The majority, 12 of 18, civilian deaths and injuries occurred in populated areas. The known location-types of the civilian casualties were urban residential areas (3), multiple urban spaces (3), villages (3), a school (2), and commercial premises (1). 

Directly-emplaced weapons, specifically IEDs and roadside bombs, were the cause of most civilian casualties, killing and injuring 14 civilians, while ground-launched weapons, specifically grenades and mortars, caused 4 civilian casualties. 

Non-state actors were the reported perpetrator in 14 of the 18 civilian casualties, and the perpetrator status in the case of 4 civilian casualties was unknown. The Islamic State was specifically named as the perpetrator in the case of 3 civilian casualties. 

The five provinces in which civilian casualties were recorded were Nineveh (6), Diyala (6), Dhi-Qar (3), Baghdad (2), and Kirkuk (1). 

The highest casualty incident took place on 14 November, when 3 civilians were injured by an IED in Nasiriyah, Dhi-Qar. 

Sources: ISHM

Casualties

In October 2021, there were 23 incidents of explosive weapon use in Iraq, 12 of which caused 30 civilian casualties, including five fatalities and 25 injuries (including eight children). Civilians accounted for 44% (30) of the total casualties (68). There were an additional 38 armed-actor casualties. Of the 12 incidents of explosive weapon use that caused civilian casualties, nine incidents were in populated areas, causing 70% (21) of civilian deaths and injuries. 

The use of directly-emplaced weapons, specifically IEDs, caused 43% (13) civilian casualties, while ground-launched weapons caused 25% (8) civilian casualties, air-launched weapons accounted for 17% (5) civilian casualties, and landmines accounted for 13% (4). Non-state actors caused 43% (13) of civilian casualties, and state actors, primarily Turkey and Iraq, caused 17% (5). The perpetrator status was unknown in the case of 12 civilian casualties. 

Explosive weapon use that caused civilian casualties was recorded in Salahuddin (10 civilians), Nineveh (6), Diyala (5), Kirkuk (3), Baghdad (2), Najaf (2), and Sulaymaniyah (2). 

The highest casualty incident took place on 4 October 2021, when one child was killed and five other civilians (including two children) were injured when a grenade was thrown at a political event in Tamim, Baiji, Salahudin. 

The number of incidents, civilian casualties, locations, perpetrators and weapons used in October 2021 was very similar to that of September, with no significant deviations in trends across any recording category as it relates to civilians. There was, however, a notable decrease in the number of armed-actor casualties from explosive weapon use, from 82 in September to 38 in October.

Sources: ISHM, Kurdistan 24

Casualties

In September 2021, there were 33 incidents of explosive weapon use in Iraq, 14 of which resulted in 34 civilian casualties. Civilians accounted for 29% (34) of total casualties (116), including nine deaths and 25 injuries. The majority of civilian casualties, 71% (24), occurred in populated areas. 

Directly-emplaced weapons, specifically IEDs and roadside bombs, caused 65% (22) of the total civilian casualties, while air-launched weapons caused 21% (7), and ground-launched weapons caused 15% (5). When the perpetrator status was known, the majority of civilian casualties were caused by non-state actors. However, two civilians were killed and six injured by state actors, all by Turkish airstrikes. 

Diyala province, where nine civilians were killed or injured, had the highest number of incidents of explosive weapon use, with a total of nine incidents recorded this month. Erbil province had the highest number of civilian casualties (11), resulting from one incident. On 11 September, four people were killed, including three civilians and one armed actor, and nine civilians were injured by the detonation of an IED in an attack on a village in Khattab, Makhmour, Erbil. 

There were ten fewer civilian casualties resulting from the use of explosive weapons in Iraq recorded in September compared to August 2021. 

Sources: Rudaw, ISHM

In August 2021, there were 28 incidents of explosive weapons use in Iraq, and 44 civilian casualties, 16 of whom were killed and 28 injured. There were 52 armed-actor casualties, 26 injured and 26 killed. 73% (32) of the 44 civilian casualties were caused by directly-emplaced weapons, specifically IEDs and roadside bombs. Air-launched weapons, specifically airstrikes, killed five civilians and injured six others, while one civilian was reportedly injured by ground launched weapons, specifically a missile. Non-state actors were recorded as the perpetrator of 20 incidents of explosive weapon use and 30 civilian casualties, including ISIS and the PKK, while state actors, namely Iraq and Turkey, were reportedly responsible for seven incidents and 11 civilian casualties. 12 civilian deaths and injuries took place on roads, eight at a hospital, and seven at a camp for displaced people. The province with the highest number of incidents and civilian casualties was Nineveh in northern Iraq, followed by Duhok, in Iraq’s Kurdistan region. 

The highest casualty incident took place in Sinjar, Nineveh, on 18 August, when four civilian healthcare workers were killed and four injured, and four armed actors killed by a Turkish drone strike on a health clinic. There were nine more incidents of explosive weapon use recorded in August than in July, but significantly fewer civilian casualties, with no incidents recording more than eight civilian casualties. The number of armed actor casualties increased, from 29 in July to 52 in August, with over six-times the number of fatalities in August (26). 

Sources: Kurdpress, Xinhua Net

In July 2021 across 19 incidents of explosive weapons use in Iraq, there were 108 civilian casualties, 36 of whom were killed and 72 injured. There were 29 armed-actor casualties, 25 injured and 4 killed. As in June, directly emplaced weapons, specifically IEDs accounted for the majority of incidents and civilian casualties. There were 16 incidents of IED use in July, all of which were in populated areas, and these accounted for all but one (107) of the civilian casualties in July.

The worst incident for civilian casualties took place on 19 July in Sadr City, Baghdad, when an ISIS suicide bomber detonated his vest in the crowded Wahailat market on the eve of the Eid al-Adha festival, killing 35 civilians and injuring at least 60. This incident marked the highest death toll of any incident of explosive weapon use this year. The number of civilian casualties in July increased by 25% since June. Sources: Al Jazeera, AP, ISHM.

In June 2021, across 26 incidents of explosive weapon use in Iraq, there were 80 civilian casualties, 15 of whom were killed and 65 injured. There were 27 armed-actor casualties, 15 injured and 12 killed. IEDs accounted for 21 of the 26 incidents, and 92% (70) of civilian casualties. 14 of the 26 incidents of explosive weapon use occurred in populated areas and in those incidents, civilians made up 82% of the casualties. The worst incident took place on 3 June in al-Kadhimiya, northern Baghdad, when an IED was detonated in a restaurant, killing 4 civilians and injuring 36. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack, which happened in a highly protected Shia shrine area. The number of civilian casualties in Iraq increased notably, from 19 in May to 80 in June, though the number of incidents has only increased by 4, up from 22 incidents in May. The number of armed actor casualties decreased, from 43 in May to 27 in June. Source: ISHM.

Across 22 incidents of explosive weapons use in May 2021 in Iraq, there were 19 civilian casualties, one person was killed and 18 were injured. There were 43 armed-actor casualties, 21 injured and 22 killed. IEDs accounted for 17 of the 22 incidents. The worst incident recorded took place on 25 May in Haditha, Anbar province, when the blast from an IED attached to a vehicle injured 10 civilians. Source: ISHM