Civilian fatalities caused by explosive weapons saw a 122 per cent increase in 2023
Action on Armed Violence shares report on the use of explosive weapons in 2023
The latest global explosive violence monitor report from Action on Armed Violence, a London-based charity, reveals a surge in civilian fatalities and incidents of explosive weapon use globally in 2023, with a 122 per cent rise in global civilian fatalities compared to the previous year.
The data, taken by recording reputable English-language media sources on explosive violence incidents, highlights a concerning escalation in modern warfare tactics with a significant effect on civilian populations, especially in populated areas.
The key findings of the report include a 122 per cent increase in global civilian fatalities from reported explosive violence compared to 2022. There is a 69 per cent rise in incidents of explosive weapon use. Air strikes were reportedly responsible for 67 per cent of civilian fatalities.
Operation Swords of Iron in Gaza contributed substantially to the increase. Up to December 31, 2023, there were 873 incidents of state-perpetrated explosive weapons use and 12,551 civilian casualties (9,034 killed) as a result of Operation Swords of Iron – some 37 per cent of all civilian casualties recorded globally in 2023. This is likely an underestimation of the total harm, as the Action on Armed Violence methodology only captures discrete, injurious incidents as reported in English-language media.
Ongoing conflicts in Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, and Syria, however, suggest that even without Operation Swords of Iron, 2023 would have surpassed levels of harm from explosive weapons use seen in 2022.
Moreover, air-launched attacks increased by 226 per cent. Ground-launched attacks rose by 56 per cent. Improvised explosive device incidents increased by 30 per cent. State actors were responsible for 77 per cent of civilian casualties from explosive weapons. Israel and Russia were the most injurious state actors.
Data about the most affected areas showed that 76 per cent of explosive violence incidents were recorded in populated areas, and 90 per cent of the people harmed in these areas were civilians. Across the globe, explosive violence affected 64 countries, with the most affected regions being Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, Myanmar, and Syria.
Overall, Action on Armed Violence listed that attacks caused 46,500 total casualties, of which 73 per cent (33,846) were civilians. Of these civilians harmed, 45 per cent (15,305) were reported killed. In comparison, in 2022, civilians accounted for 67 per cent of total recorded casualties and reported civilian fatalities accounted for 33 per cent of civilian harm.
The year 2023 saw the highest number of civilians harmed since the organisation first started recording in 2010, with 33,846 civilians killed or injured. 2015 is a close second at 33,307 civilian casualties. This was also a year that saw the most weapon use, with 7,307 reported injurious incidents. The year 2022 had a 73 per cent increase in total incidents of explosive weapons use, as compared to 2021 with 2,500 incidents; it was the previous record holder with 4,322 incidents.