In August 2017, Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) recorded 3,173 deaths and injuries from explosive violence around the world, as reported in English-language media. Civilians accounted for 70% (2,228) of the deaths and injuries recorded.
At least one death or injury from explosive violence was recorded in 26 countries and territories last month. The five worst impacted countries were Syria, Afghanistan, Yemen, Pakistan, and Iraq according to civilian casualties.
Syria continued to retain its position as the worst impacted state from explosive violence globally. AOAV recorded 1,427 casualties from explosive weapons there last month. Of these, 81% were civilians. In addition, 85% of civilian casualties from explosive weapons in Syria were caused by air-launched explosives in August. In total, 54% of all civilian casualties from explosive violence last month were caused by airstrikes, whilst 29% were caused by IEDs.
Civilian casualties from explosive violence in Afghanistan more than doubled last month, compared to July figures. This is largely due to a few highly lethal IED attacks and airstrikes on populated areas. At least three US airstrikes were reported to have killed civilians in Afghanistan last month, as well as another by Afghanistan. Though, it should be noted that, four suicide attacks alone ? two by ISIS and two by the Taliban ? were responsible for 65% of civilian casualties.
Overall, globally, when explosive violence was used in populated areas, 90% of all casualties were civilians, compared to 12% in other areas.