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Civilian casualties from explosive weapons in Turkey jumped 7,682% last year – study | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Civilian casualties from explosive weapons in Turkey rose by a staggering 7,682% last year, according to a new report. The research found that worldwide deaths and injuries from such weapons have risen for the fourth year running. | |
Turkey's dramatic spike in civilian deaths comes as Ankara continues its operation against militants from the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) in the country's southeast. | |
The operation has led to widespread criticism from European leaders and human rights organizations, and the US has advised its citizens to avoid traveling to Turkey's southeast. | |
The campaign's launch in mid-2015 violated a two-year ceasefire agreement and revived a conflict that has claimed more than 40,000 lives since 1984. | |
Turkey has also seen major terror attacks this year, with a car bombing in Ankara killing over 30 people and injuring 125 others in March. Just days later, a suicide bombing in Istanbul killed five people and injured 36 others. | |
Meanwhile, the report – released by the organization Action On Armed Violence (AOAV) on Tuesday – also includes global statistics on explosive weapons casualties, as well as breakdowns for other countries. | |
It found that 43,786 people were killed or injured by explosive weapons in 2,170 incidents last year. Of those, 33,307 – 76 percent – were civilians. | |
The numbers represent a two-percent surge in 2015 from 2014, and the fourth consecutive year in which casualties from explosive violence increased. | The numbers represent a two-percent surge in 2015 from 2014, and the fourth consecutive year in which casualties from explosive violence increased. |
Civilian casualties most often occurred in populated areas, where 92 percent of those killed or injured were civilians – compared to 31 percent in other areas. | Civilian casualties most often occurred in populated areas, where 92 percent of those killed or injured were civilians – compared to 31 percent in other areas. |
In particular, there was a steep rise in the number of civilians recorded killed or injured by suicide attacks. That number totaled 9,205 globally, representing a 67-percent increase from 2014. Such attacks occurred in 21 countries – the highest number ever recorded. | In particular, there was a steep rise in the number of civilians recorded killed or injured by suicide attacks. That number totaled 9,205 globally, representing a 67-percent increase from 2014. Such attacks occurred in 21 countries – the highest number ever recorded. |
Incidents caused by air-launched weaponry killed or injured a reported 9,200 civilians, accounting for 28 percent of all civilian casualties and a 57-percent rise from the previous year. | Incidents caused by air-launched weaponry killed or injured a reported 9,200 civilians, accounting for 28 percent of all civilian casualties and a 57-percent rise from the previous year. |
Although Turkey experienced the biggest increase in civilian deaths and injuries as a result of explosive weapons, other countries also saw spikes. Yemen placed second, with a 1,204% spike. Trailing not-so-closely behind were Egypt (142%), Libya (85%), Syria (39%), and Nigeria (22%). | |
But while Turkey experienced the biggest jump, the highest number of civilian deaths and injuries actually occurred in Syria, Yemen, Iraq, Nigeria, and Afghanistan. | |
Incidents were recorded in 64 countries and territories in 2015 – five more than in 2014. Twenty-three of the countries listed had no recorded incidents the previous year. | Incidents were recorded in 64 countries and territories in 2015 – five more than in 2014. Twenty-three of the countries listed had no recorded incidents the previous year. |
The report defines explosive weapons as those which “share common characteristics causing deaths, injuries, and damage by projecting explosive blast, heat, and often fragmentation around a point of detonation.” It goes on to list examples of such weapons, including airdropped bombs, mortars, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and artillery shells. | The report defines explosive weapons as those which “share common characteristics causing deaths, injuries, and damage by projecting explosive blast, heat, and often fragmentation around a point of detonation.” It goes on to list examples of such weapons, including airdropped bombs, mortars, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and artillery shells. |
The UK-based AOAV defines itself as an organization that aims to “carry out research and advocacy in order to reduce the incidence and impact of global armed violence.” | The UK-based AOAV defines itself as an organization that aims to “carry out research and advocacy in order to reduce the incidence and impact of global armed violence.” |