The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported that over 76,000 people were killed during the Syrian civil war in 2014. Another report indicates that 15,538 people were also killed in Iraq. According to a report by Agence France-Presse, the monitoring body reported on Thursday, January 1, that 17,790 civilians, including 3,501 children, are among the dead in Syria. Additionally, 15,000 rebel forces and nearly 17,000 members of jihadist groups, including the al-Nusra Front affiliated with al-Qaeda and the former Islamic State group, ISIS, are also among the dead in Syria. The report also mentions 22,627 loyalist forces to Bashar al-Assad, the President of Syria, who were killed last year. In 2013, the number of casualties in the Syrian civil war was 73,447, while the previous year it was 49,294, and in 2011 it was about 7,841, meaning that last year was the deadliest year since the beginning of the Syrian crisis. Over the past four years, more than 200,000 Syrian citizens have been killed in the civil war. Agence France-Presse in a separate report states that 15,538 people were also killed in Iraq in 2014. According to the Iraqi government report, this level of human casualties is unprecedented since 2007. These statistics were compiled by the Ministries of Defense, Health, and Interior of Iraq. In 2013, the number of casualties from internal violence in Iraq was 6,522, meaning that the number of casualties in 2014 more than doubled compared to the previous year, attributed to the rapid occupation of large parts of Iraq by ISIS last summer. This group later changed its name to the 'Islamic State.' Although this group has lost parts of its controlled areas in Iraq following the start of airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition, it still controls three major cities in the country. By October, the Islamic State had occupied five provinces of Iraq, but with the onset of airstrikes by the U.S.-led coalition and advances by the Iraqi army and Kurds, they were pushed out of some areas. The international coalition led by the U.S. has also bombed dozens of Islamic State positions in Syria.
Over 90,000 People Killed in Syria and Iraq in 2014
In 2014, over 90,000 people were killed in the ongoing conflicts in Syria and Iraq, with significant civilian casualties reported. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights detailed that the dead included thousands of children and both rebel and government forces. This escalation highlights the severe humanitarian crisis and the impact of ISIS's territorial gains.
👥 Key Players
📰 What Happened
In 2014, over 90,000 people were killed in the conflicts in Syria and Iraq, with a significant number of civilian casualties reported. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights detailed the deaths of thousands of children and both rebel and government forces amidst escalating violence.
- 76,000 people were killed in Syria, including 17,790 civilians.
- 15,538 people were killed in Iraq, marking a significant increase from the previous year.
💡 Why It Matters
📚 Background
The Syrian civil war began in 2011 and has led to widespread violence and displacement, while ISIS emerged as a major force in the region around 2014, capturing large territories in Iraq and Syria.
🏷️ Entities Mentioned
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