Lyla Lindsey
The War on Terror, initiated by the United States following the September 11 attacks, has resulted in a significant loss of life. The conflict, spanning multiple wars and targeting militant Islamist groups, has led to the deaths of thousands of American soldiers. By the end of 2019, over 7,000 U.S. troops had perished in Iraq and Afghanistan, with the true number likely higher due to unreported contractor deaths. The human cost of the War on Terror extends beyond direct combat fatalities, with over 30,000 U.S. service members and veterans dying by suicide—a consequence of the psychological wounds of war. The conflict has also taken a devastating toll on U.S. allies, with approximately 177,000 uniformed personnel from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, and Syria losing their lives. The true human cost of the War on Terror is immense and ongoing, with the indirect consequences of the wars resulting in millions of deaths worldwide.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of U.S. troops who died fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan | Over 7,000 |
| Number of U.S. contractors who died in Iraq and Afghanistan | Over 8,000 |
| Number of U.S. service members and veterans of the post-9/11 wars who died by suicide | Over 30,177 |
| Number of U.S. military service members and contractors who died in the post-9/11 wars | 15,000 |
| Number of Western allied troops deployed to the conflicts who died | 15,0000 |
What You'll Learn
US military fatalities in the War on Terror
The War on Terror, officially the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), is a military campaign initiated by the United States following the September 11 attacks. The conflict has spanned multiple wars, mainly targeting militant Islamist movements like Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and their allies.
The War on Terror has resulted in a significant number of US military fatalities. As of 2023, it is estimated that over 7,000 US troops have been killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, with more than 8,000 contractors also losing their lives. These numbers only account for direct deaths and do not include the many US service members who have died by suicide due to the psychological wounds of war. Over 30,000 US service members and veterans of the post-9/11 wars have died by suicide, a number that far surpasses those killed in combat.
The human toll of the War on Terror extends beyond US military personnel. According to the Costs of War Project, over 900,000 people have been killed during the wars in Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, and other regions. Of those killed, 387,000 are civilians, 207,000 are members of national military and police forces, and 301,000 are opposition fighters. Additionally, the wars have caused the displacement of approximately 38 million people, contributing to the vast and complex reverberating costs of these conflicts.
The true extent of the human toll of the War on Terror is difficult to determine and may be much higher than currently reported. The US military's refusal to keep track of the number of people killed in its operations, along with the remoteness of the regions where many conflicts take place, makes calculating accurate death tolls challenging. Furthermore, the classification of some casualties as "opposition fighters" rather than civilians may skew the reported numbers.
The War on Terror has exacted a heavy toll on US military personnel, with thousands of fatalities and a high rate of suicide among veterans. Additionally, the conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displacement among civilians and national military forces in the regions where the wars have been waged. The full scope of the human toll may never be truly known, but it has undoubtedly been extensive and far-reaching.
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US military suicides in the War on Terror
The War on Terror, officially the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), is a global military campaign initiated by the United States in response to the September 11 attacks. The conflict has primarily targeted militant Islamist groups such as Al-Qaeda, the Taliban, and their allies.
Since its inception, the War on Terror has resulted in a significant number of casualties, including military personnel, civilians, and combatants. One aspect of the human cost of this conflict that has received attention is the high rate of suicides among United States service members and veterans who have served in the post-9/11 wars.
According to various reports, the suicide rate among active-duty personnel and veterans of the post-9/11 wars is alarmingly high. The data reveals that over 30,177 service members and veterans have died by suicide, which is more than four times the number of those killed in combat. This trend marks a significant shift, as historically, suicide rates among military personnel have been lower than those in the general population.
The factors contributing to the high suicide rates among post-9/11 war service members and veterans are multifaceted. Firstly, the inherent risks of participating in any war, such as exposure to trauma, stress, and military culture, can take a toll on mental health. Secondly, the unique characteristics of the War on Terror, including the prolonged duration of the conflict, have exacerbated these risks. The length of the war has kept service members in combat zones longer, increasing their exposure to traumatic events.
Additionally, the nature of the conflict, with a heavy presence of improvised explosive devices (IEDs), has led to a significant number of service members experiencing traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). The combination of multiple traumatic exposures, chronic pain, and lasting physical wounds is linked to suicidal behaviours. Moreover, the decline in public support for the war and the challenges of reintegrating into civilian life have further isolated veterans and contributed to their mental health struggles.
To address this mental health crisis, efforts have been made to better support service members' transition back into civilian communities. There has also been a push for greater collaboration between mental health professionals and military organisations to provide holistic care for troops returning from combat missions.
The high rate of suicides among US service members and veterans of the post-9/11 wars is a pressing issue that requires continued attention and action. By raising awareness, improving support systems, and prioritising mental health, we can work towards preventing these tragic losses.
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US contractors killed in the War on Terror
The War on Terror has resulted in the deaths of thousands of US contractors. The US government has no data on the exact number of American contractors who have died in the post-9/11 wars. However, Brown University's Costs of War Project estimates that around 8,000 contractors, including Americans and non-Americans, have been killed.
US contractors have been involved in a range of roles in the War on Terror, including translation, logistics, security, and laundry. By 2011, there were more private contract employees on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan than US service members. They provided essential support services such as food, transportation, and lodging.
The death toll among US contractors is likely higher than reported, as many deaths and injuries have not been documented as required by law. For example, in Iraq, the US Department of Labor confirmed that 917 civilian contractors were killed by the end of March 2009, with an estimated 354 being US citizens. This number was later updated to 1,537 by the end of March 2011, and further updated to 1,569 by July 20, 2012.
The dangers faced by US contractors are evident in the numerous accounts of those who have lost their lives. For instance, in April 2004, four Americans working for Blackwater Security as private military contractors (PMCs) were ambushed and massacred in Fallujah, with their bodies mutilated and hanged for public display. In another incident, Kirk von Ackermann, an American working as a PMC, was captured on a road between Kirkuk and Tikrit and is presumed dead, although his body has never been found.
The high number of US contractor deaths highlights the risks and sacrifices made by those working alongside US military forces in the War on Terror. Their contributions and losses are an important part of the overall toll of the conflict.
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US allies killed in the War on Terror
The War on Terror, initiated by the United States following the September 11 attacks, has resulted in a significant loss of life, including US allies. While the exact number of US ally fatalities is unclear, estimates suggest that the conflict has led to hundreds of thousands of deaths overall. This figure includes military personnel, civilians, journalists, and humanitarian aid workers.
The War on Terror has involved a broad coalition of US allies, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and others. These countries have contributed troops, intelligence, and other resources to support US-led military operations in Afghanistan, Iraq, and beyond.
The conflict has been ongoing for over two decades and has included major military campaigns in Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as counter-terrorism efforts in Somalia, Yemen, Syria, and other regions. The human cost has been immense, with millions of people displaced and entire countries destabilized.
The UK, for example, suffered significant casualties during the War on Terror. In August 2011, thirty-eight UK service members were killed when their helicopter was shot down, making it the deadliest month for UK forces in Afghanistan. Overall, the UK lost 457 personnel during the Afghanistan conflict.
Canada also incurred losses, with 158 soldiers killed and many more wounded during their participation in the War on Terror. Other US allies, such as France, Italy, and Poland, have also suffered casualties, although the exact numbers are not readily available.
The War on Terror has been a prolonged and complex conflict, and the human toll extends beyond those directly killed in combat. The impact of the war has been felt by countless families and communities around the world, and the true cost may never be fully quantified.
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US expenditure on the War on Terror
The US has spent trillions of dollars on the War on Terror since 2001. The exact figure is difficult to calculate, as the war is ongoing and the costs are spread across different departments of the federal government. However, a 2019 study from the Cost of War project at Brown University estimated that federal spending on post-9/11 military action in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere around the world stood at $6.4 trillion through fiscal year 2020. This figure does not include the ongoing medical and disability expenditure for veterans, which is estimated to cost an additional $1 trillion by fiscal year 2059.
The war's human costs have also been profound. Over 801,000 people died as a direct result of the fighting, 335,000 of whom were civilians. Another 21 million people have been displaced due to violence.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 2023, it is estimated that over 7,000 US military combatants have died in the War on Terror.
Over 7,000 US service members died in the post-9/11 wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The War on Terror includes other conflicts such as in Syria, Yemen, Libya, Somalia, and the Philippines. It is difficult to find exact numbers for each conflict, but the US military has been involved in various operations resulting in casualties.
US soldiers died from various causes, including rocket-propelled grenade fire, improvised explosive devices, vehicle crashes, electrocutions, heatstroke, friendly fire, and suicides.
