In October 2016, AOAV recorded 4,749 deaths and injuries in 237 incidents of explosive violence. Of these deaths and injuries, 77% (3,640) were civilians. This means October accounted for the worst month of explosive violence recorded so far this year, with not only the most civilian deaths and injuries but also the highest total deaths and injuries.
On average 153 people were killed each day by explosive violence in October. Importantly, it is also worth noting that of those killed and injured by explosive violence in populated areas 97% were civilian.
For the fifth month in a row, the total casualties from explosive violence stood at over 4,000.
At least one death or injury from explosive violence was recorded in 26 countries in October.
Syria remained the country most impacted by explosive violence for the seventh month in succession. However, AOAV recorded a decrease in deaths and injuries from explosive violence, compared to the September monthly update. Civilian deaths and injuries from state-perpetrated explosive violence decreased by over 50%. Despite this fall, an overwhelming 1,440 civilian deaths and injuries were still recorded.
Unlike Syria, AOAV recorded an increase in civilian deaths and injuries from state-perpetrated explosive violence in Yemen. Although, over 700 civilians were killed and injured in just one incident, when a Saudi-led coalition airstrike hit a community hall where a wake was being held.
The same was true of Iraq. This is likely due to the coalition offensive to retake Mosul, an ISIS stronghold, which remains densely populated by civilians.
Afghanistan remained highly impacted by militant use of IEDs that predominantly targeted military and police personnel, but also impacted civilians.
The rate of death and injury from explosive violence in Pakistan increased in October. This is due to the escalation in violence between Pakistan and India over the disputed Kashmir region. This violence has had a significant civilian impact in both countries around the Kashmir area. Many civilians have been displaced by the violence in the worst impacted areas and often children have been unable to attend school.
