In February 2021, Motion on Armed Violence (AOAV) recorded 1,127 casualties from 199 incidents of explosive violence world wide, as reported in English-language media. Civilians accounted for 47% (525) of the deaths and accidents recorded.
When explosive violence was utilized in populated areas 76% of all casualties have been civilians, in comparison with 16% in different areas.
Improvised explosive units (IEDs) accounted for 38% (202) of civilian casualties in February, with manufactured weapons accounting for 62% (323).
Of the manufactured launch strategies, ground-launched explosives have been liable for 48% (250) of civilian casualties, mines for 12% (61), and air-launched for 3% (12).
A minimum of one demise or harm from explosive violence was recorded in 20 international locations and territories in February. The 5 worst impacted international locations in regard to civilian casualties have been Syria, Afghanistan, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Somalia.
Syria was the nation worst impacted by explosive weapons throughout this month (in keeping with civilian casualties) with 136 civilian casualties attributed to explosive violence – 33 deaths and 103 accidents. Of the 136 civilian casualties, 39% have been brought on by IEDs, and 39% have been brought on by ground-launched weapons. The three areas worst affected by explosive weapons in Syria in February – the place nearly 60% of casualties occurred – have been Aleppo (39%), Hama (11%), and Hasakah (9%).
To notice, AOAV recorded 388 casualties in Afghanistan, probably the most affected county in February, in keeping with complete casualties. 54% (209) of all casualties within the nation have been brought on by IEDs – adopted by air-launched munitions, accounting for 38% (146). Of the 209 casualties brought on by IEDs in Afghanistan, 30% occurred in Kabul. Kabul has seen a dramatic enhance of the usage of sticky/magnetic IEDs on the automobiles of presidency officers and safety personnel within the final 12 months.
In Nigeria, 97% (57) of civilian casualties have been brought on by ground-launched explosive munitions in a single occasion – a suspected Boko Haram assault on Maiduguri, the capital of Borno State.
As with the overall pattern, Pakistan noticed a fall in explosive violence in February. This being stated, Baluchistan continued to see a excessive charge of explosive violence, particularly relating to civilians. Within the area, 42/43 of the casualties have been civilian, making up 66% of the whole Pakistani casualties.
In Somalia, nearly 60% of the civilian casualties occurred within the capital, Mogadishu – all brought on by explosions of IEDs. This highlights the political instability within the nation and the rift between the federal government and rebel teams.
AOAV condemns the usage of violence towards civilians and the usage of explosive weapons in populated areas. All actors ought to cease utilizing explosive weapons with wide-area impacts the place there’s prone to be a excessive focus of civilians.
