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| Civilian casualties from explosive weapons rise 26% in a year | Civilian casualties from explosive weapons rise 26% in a year |
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| The number of civilians killed and injured by explosive weapons such as car bombs, mortars, landmines and grenades increased by 26% last year compared with 2011, figures released on Friday show. | The number of civilians killed and injured by explosive weapons such as car bombs, mortars, landmines and grenades increased by 26% last year compared with 2011, figures released on Friday show. |
| Civilians accounted for the large majority – 78% – of the 34,758 people killed or wounded by such weapons, a unique survey of nearly 3,000 incidents reveals. Syria took over from Iraq as the country affected most by what the report calls "explosive violence". An increase of almost 800% in civilian casualties was recorded in Syria in 2012. | Civilians accounted for the large majority – 78% – of the 34,758 people killed or wounded by such weapons, a unique survey of nearly 3,000 incidents reveals. Syria took over from Iraq as the country affected most by what the report calls "explosive violence". An increase of almost 800% in civilian casualties was recorded in Syria in 2012. |
| Many other countries were also affected, says the survey, drawn up by the British-based charity Action on Armed Violence. | Many other countries were also affected, says the survey, drawn up by the British-based charity Action on Armed Violence. |
| "Bombs and shells killed and injured civilians across the world," it says. "From Colombia to Kenya, Thailand to Sudan, over 50 countries were directly affected by explosive violence in 2012. It was civilians, not armed actors, who bore the brunt of the impacts of these weapons." | "Bombs and shells killed and injured civilians across the world," it says. "From Colombia to Kenya, Thailand to Sudan, over 50 countries were directly affected by explosive violence in 2012. It was civilians, not armed actors, who bore the brunt of the impacts of these weapons." |
| The six states or alliances that used the most explosive weapons last year were Syria, Israel, Nato, the US, Yemen and Sudan, says the report. More than 70 non-state armed groups were recorded as using the weapons, including 12 that fired rockets and mortars from Gaza into Israel. | The six states or alliances that used the most explosive weapons last year were Syria, Israel, Nato, the US, Yemen and Sudan, says the report. More than 70 non-state armed groups were recorded as using the weapons, including 12 that fired rockets and mortars from Gaza into Israel. |
| Syria had 23% more casualties from such weapons than Iraq, the second most affected country in the world. There were 8,382 civilian victims of explosive weapons in Syria last year, says the report – nine out of 10 victims in the country. | Syria had 23% more casualties from such weapons than Iraq, the second most affected country in the world. There were 8,382 civilian victims of explosive weapons in Syria last year, says the report – nine out of 10 victims in the country. |
| The report, An Explosive Situation, documents the damage done by weapons, including air-dropped bombs, artillery shells and IEDs (improvised explosive devices), which "indiscriminately project large amounts of blast and fragmentation across a wide area". | The report, An Explosive Situation, documents the damage done by weapons, including air-dropped bombs, artillery shells and IEDs (improvised explosive devices), which "indiscriminately project large amounts of blast and fragmentation across a wide area". |
| The survey says the use of improvised "barrel bombs" by Syrian government forces was recorded for the first time in September last year. They are described as "makeshift weapons, consisting of containers filled with fuel, explosives and chunks of jagged steel". | The survey says the use of improvised "barrel bombs" by Syrian government forces was recorded for the first time in September last year. They are described as "makeshift weapons, consisting of containers filled with fuel, explosives and chunks of jagged steel". |
| On 1 November last year Syrian rebels reported that Syrian air force planes dropped old storage tanks filled with explosives on a line of people queueing outside a bakery. Human Rights Watch said it found evidence of barrel bombs filled with nails dropped from government Antonov planes in Sudan's Blue Nile province. | On 1 November last year Syrian rebels reported that Syrian air force planes dropped old storage tanks filled with explosives on a line of people queueing outside a bakery. Human Rights Watch said it found evidence of barrel bombs filled with nails dropped from government Antonov planes in Sudan's Blue Nile province. |
| Syrian forces were also reported to have used cluster bombs and deployed the Grad rocket system, which can fire 40 unguided rockets in 20 seconds. | Syrian forces were also reported to have used cluster bombs and deployed the Grad rocket system, which can fire 40 unguided rockets in 20 seconds. |
| Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria were the top five most affected countries from explosive violence last year. The report says 80% of all recorded casualties occurred in these countries. | Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria were the top five most affected countries from explosive violence last year. The report says 80% of all recorded casualties occurred in these countries. |
| In incidents where the age of casualties was reported, children accounted for 15% of all worldwide civilian casualties. When explosive weapons were used in populated areas, 91% of casualties were reported to be civilians. In other areas the figure fell to 32%. | In incidents where the age of casualties was reported, children accounted for 15% of all worldwide civilian casualties. When explosive weapons were used in populated areas, 91% of casualties were reported to be civilians. In other areas the figure fell to 32%. |
| While the number of drone strikes rose last year by 21%, the number of casualties recorded was down by 8%. Drone strikes were recorded in Afghanistan, Egypt, Gaza, Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen. | While the number of drone strikes rose last year by 21%, the number of casualties recorded was down by 8%. Drone strikes were recorded in Afghanistan, Egypt, Gaza, Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen. |
| The Action on Armed Violence chief executive, Steven Smith, a former British army colonel, called on governments to pause and understand the true cost of the use of explosive weapons for unarmed civilians, including children. | The Action on Armed Violence chief executive, Steven Smith, a former British army colonel, called on governments to pause and understand the true cost of the use of explosive weapons for unarmed civilians, including children. |
| "Explosive weapons kill and injure civilians every day in places where they have a right to feel safe," he said. | "Explosive weapons kill and injure civilians every day in places where they have a right to feel safe," he said. |
| Katherine Harrison, the editor of the report, said: "Nine out of 10 casualties we recorded from the use of mortars in 2012 were civilians. These weapons with wide-area impacts like rockets and air-dropped bombs are entirely unacceptable for use in populated areas.". | Katherine Harrison, the editor of the report, said: "Nine out of 10 casualties we recorded from the use of mortars in 2012 were civilians. These weapons with wide-area impacts like rockets and air-dropped bombs are entirely unacceptable for use in populated areas.". |
| The report says that while there is a growing international stigma against the use of such weapons in populated areas, "a shift is needed from the current discourse of terrorism that is highly politicised and failing to … change the behaviour of IED users". | The report says that while there is a growing international stigma against the use of such weapons in populated areas, "a shift is needed from the current discourse of terrorism that is highly politicised and failing to … change the behaviour of IED users". |
| The charity said its report was drawn from more than 500 English-language media sources. It captured only a snapshot of worldwide explosive violence as reported in news media and was almost certainly a low estimate of the real extent of suffering caused by explosive violence, it said. | The charity said its report was drawn from more than 500 English-language media sources. It captured only a snapshot of worldwide explosive violence as reported in news media and was almost certainly a low estimate of the real extent of suffering caused by explosive violence, it said. |
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