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Syria conflict: 76,000 die in deadliest year - activists | Syria conflict: 76,000 die in deadliest year - activists |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The year 2014 was the deadliest year yet in Syria's four-year conflict, with over 76,000 killed, activists say. | The year 2014 was the deadliest year yet in Syria's four-year conflict, with over 76,000 killed, activists say. |
The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 17,790 of the dead were civilians, including 3,501 children. | The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 17,790 of the dead were civilians, including 3,501 children. |
Meanwhile more than 15,000 died in conflicts in Iraq in 2014, making it that country's worst year since 2007. | Meanwhile more than 15,000 died in conflicts in Iraq in 2014, making it that country's worst year since 2007. |
Much of the violence comes as a result of advances by Islamic State and other militants groups in the two countries. | Much of the violence comes as a result of advances by Islamic State and other militants groups in the two countries. |
US-led air strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants, fighting between government troops and rebels in Syria, and sectarian violence in Iraq have also accounted for large numbers of deaths. | US-led air strikes against Islamic State (IS) militants, fighting between government troops and rebels in Syria, and sectarian violence in Iraq have also accounted for large numbers of deaths. |
The air strikes continued on Thursday, with 17 against IS targets near the Syrian cities of Raqqa, Kobane and Deir al-Zour and 12 near the Iraqi cities of Falluja, Mosul and Sinjar. | The air strikes continued on Thursday, with 17 against IS targets near the Syrian cities of Raqqa, Kobane and Deir al-Zour and 12 near the Iraqi cities of Falluja, Mosul and Sinjar. |
Meanwhile Syrian President Bashar al-Assad marked the new year with a visit to front-line troops in the Damascus suburb of Jobar. | Meanwhile Syrian President Bashar al-Assad marked the new year with a visit to front-line troops in the Damascus suburb of Jobar. |
Mr Assad's Twitter and Facebook accounts showed pictures of him talking to two soldiers by a tank and shaking hands with a third. | Mr Assad's Twitter and Facebook accounts showed pictures of him talking to two soldiers by a tank and shaking hands with a third. |
'New brutality' | 'New brutality' |
The Syrian figures cannot be independently verified, but the Observatory says its draws on sources all across the country. | The Syrian figures cannot be independently verified, but the Observatory says its draws on sources all across the country. |
It said a total of 76,021 had died, slightly up on 2013's toll of 73,447 and bringing the total number of deaths since the conflict began in 2011 to more than 200,000. | It said a total of 76,021 had died, slightly up on 2013's toll of 73,447 and bringing the total number of deaths since the conflict began in 2011 to more than 200,000. |
Of the 2014 deaths, the Observatory said: | Of the 2014 deaths, the Observatory said: |
On the same day, the Iraqi government published its figures on casualties in 2014. | On the same day, the Iraqi government published its figures on casualties in 2014. |
It said 15,538 people had died and more than 22,000 were injured during the course of the year. | It said 15,538 people had died and more than 22,000 were injured during the course of the year. |
The UK-based NGO Iraq Body Count gave an even higher figure of 17,073 civilian deaths. | The UK-based NGO Iraq Body Count gave an even higher figure of 17,073 civilian deaths. |
The NGO said there was a "new brutality on the ground and renewed attack from the air", with IS and the Iraqi army causing thousands of casualties, and US-led air strikes also responsible for civilian deaths. | The NGO said there was a "new brutality on the ground and renewed attack from the air", with IS and the Iraqi army causing thousands of casualties, and US-led air strikes also responsible for civilian deaths. |
The year began with the government losing control of Falluja and parts of Ramadi in western Iraq. | The year began with the government losing control of Falluja and parts of Ramadi in western Iraq. |
In June, a huge offensive by IS left large parts of northern Iraq in militant hands, including the second city Mosul. | In June, a huge offensive by IS left large parts of northern Iraq in militant hands, including the second city Mosul. |
Stark numbers | |
The death toll for 2014 from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights is just the latest grim statistic from years of war. | |
Syria's refugee crisis | |
Conflict in numbers |
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