The Human Cost Of War: Examining The Iraq And Afghanistan Death Toll

The Iraq and Afghanistan wars have resulted in a staggering number of deaths, with estimates placing the figure at around 500,000 or more. This includes both direct and indirect deaths, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. The true death toll is likely higher due to the challenges of documenting fatalities in conflict zones. The wars have also caused mass displacement, with millions of people forced to flee their homes. The human cost of these conflicts is immense, and the impacts continue to be felt long after the fighting has ended.

US service members killed in action

The death toll for US service members killed in action in the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars is difficult to calculate due to the ongoing nature of the conflicts and the lack of transparency from the US government and military. However, according to various sources, the number of US service members who lost their lives in these wars is significant.

In the Afghanistan War, which lasted from October 2001 to August 2021, there were approximately 2,459 US military deaths, with 1,922 attributed to hostile action. The remaining deaths were classified as non-hostile or with a pending status. These numbers include not only US servicemen and women but also members of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and civilian contractors working in support of military operations. The highest number of American fatalities in a single incident occurred on August 6, 2011, when a transport helicopter was shot down, resulting in the deaths of 30 Americans, including 22 Navy SEALs.

The Iraq War, which began in 2003 and continued for many years, also resulted in significant casualties among US service members. While exact numbers are not readily available, it is estimated that over 7,000 US troops have died in the post-9/11 war zones of Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere. This estimate includes deaths from both hostile action and non-combat-related incidents, such as vehicle accidents and indirect consequences of war.

It is important to note that the true toll of these wars extends beyond those killed in action. Hundreds of thousands of US service members have returned home with physical and psychological wounds, and the suicide rate among post-9/11 war veterans is alarmingly high. The impact of these wars has been felt not just by the service members but also by their families, friends, and communities.

The wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have also resulted in the deaths of thousands of private military contractors, many of whom were citizens of other countries. The exact number of contractor deaths is unknown due to a lack of reporting and transparency by the US government and military. Additionally, the human cost of these wars extends to the local populations, with hundreds of thousands of Afghan, Iraqi, and allied military and police deaths.

While the numbers provide a quantitative understanding of the losses, the true impact of these wars is felt in the stories and lives affected. Each number represents an individual life lost, families grieving, and communities forever changed.

US service members who died by suicide

Since the September 11 attacks, over 30,000 US service members and veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan have died by suicide. This number is over four times that of US military personnel who died in combat in these wars. The suicide rate for active-duty troops across all service branches rose by over a third in five years, reaching 24.8 per 100,000 active-duty members in 2018.

The US military suicide rate has been historically low but has climbed significantly since 2004. This signals a widespread mental health crisis among US service members and veterans. The Pentagon's official numbers do not include troops who return home and take their own lives as a result of psychological wounds such as PTSD. The true number of suicides related to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan may be higher than reported.

Veterans are at a 72% higher risk of suicide than those who have not served in the military. Among veterans who served during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the suicide rate for those who were not deployed is 48% higher than for veterans who were deployed. The transition from military to civilian life can be challenging, and many veterans experience stress due to economic, legal, and relationship issues. More than 40% of veterans report high levels of difficulty when transitioning back to civilian life, and those who experience a difficult transition are five times more likely to have suicidal thoughts.

The US government has invested $1 billion in seeking solutions to the military suicide problem. However, suicide rates for active-duty service members and veterans continue to rise. A culture of toughness and self-sufficiency in the military may discourage service members from seeking help for mental health issues. Additionally, the military's practice of discharging those who seek mental health assistance may deter service members from getting the support they need.

US contractors who died

The US Department of Labor has not released a full and accurate accounting of contractor deaths in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. However, according to Brown University's Costs of War project, over 8,000 contractors working for the US have been killed in the two war zones. Of these, 355 were Americans in Iraq, and 121 were Americans in Afghanistan.

Contractors who died in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars include translators, truck drivers, security personnel, and engineers. Many were former military personnel, including former officers and Special Forces veterans. They came from parts of the US and the UK with higher unemployment rates and fewer job opportunities.

Contractors often lacked the protective umbrella of support from other units, and their support systems were less organized and effective when they encountered unexpected threats. They were also routinely tasked with different types of missions, such as logistics, maintenance, and security, which were less protected and more vulnerable to insurgent attacks.

The death toll among contractors is murky, and the Pentagon has never felt obligated to report these deaths to Americans. This lack of transparency makes it challenging to grasp the true size and cost of America's wars.

Iraqi, Pakistani, Syrian and Afghan allies who died

The death toll of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan is difficult to determine. However, according to Brown University's Costs of War Project, at least 500,000 people have died in these conflicts. This figure includes US troops, contractors, and civilians.

The human cost of these wars has been borne by many Iraqi, Pakistani, Syrian, and Afghan allies. According to the Costs of War Project, approximately 177,000 national military and police personnel from these countries have died as of November 2019. This number includes deaths from Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iraq, and Syria.

The causes of death for these allies are varied and tragic. Rocket-propelled grenade fire and improvised explosive devices (IEDs) have been responsible for about half of the deaths and injuries in Iraq and Afghanistan. Vehicle crashes, electrocutions, heatstroke, friendly fire, and suicides have also taken a significant toll. In addition, many service members have returned home with psychological wounds, such as PTSD, which has led to high suicide rates. As of 2019, over 30,000 US service members and veterans of the post-9/11 wars have died by suicide.

The impact of the wars extends beyond those who lost their lives. The conflicts have also caused injuries, disabilities, and war-related illnesses for hundreds of thousands of soldiers and contractors. Furthermore, millions of people have been displaced by the wars, with at least 38 million people forcibly displaced from Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, and other countries. The true cost of the wars is felt not only in the lives lost but also in the ongoing suffering of those who survived.

The Costs of War Project acknowledges that the actual number of deaths is likely higher due to the challenges of documenting deaths in conflict zones. For example, many civilians may have died in the retaking of Mosul and other cities, but their bodies have not been recovered. Additionally, the death toll only includes direct deaths and does not account for indirect deaths caused by the loss of access to essential services such as food, water, and healthcare.

Iraqi civilians who died

The Iraq War, which began with the US invasion of Iraq in 2003, has resulted in a significant loss of civilian life. While the exact number of civilian deaths is unknown, various sources provide estimates ranging from 151,000 to 600,000 or more. The Iraq Body Count project, a public database of violent civilian deaths since the 2003 invasion, documented between 186,901 and 210,296 civilian deaths from violence as of April 2019. This number includes reported civilian deaths caused by coalition and insurgent military action, sectarian violence, and increased criminal violence.

The war has had a devastating impact on the lives of Iraqi civilians. They have been killed in their homes, markets, and on roadways, falling victim to bombs, bullets, fires, improvised explosive devices (IEDs), and drone strikes. Additionally, civilians have died at checkpoints, as a result of vehicle accidents involving military convoys, and from landmines or cluster bombs. The breakdown of law and order has also led to kidnappings and executions carried out by various armed groups.

The indirect consequences of the war have also contributed to civilian deaths. The damage to infrastructure, including the health care system, has resulted in a lack of access to essential services such as food, clean water, and medical care. This has led to increased malnutrition, disease, and avoidable deaths. The war has compounded the negative effects of previous US policies towards Iraq, including economic sanctions in the 1990s that severely impacted the country.

The true extent of civilian deaths may never be fully known due to challenges in accurately recording war-related deaths. The Iraqi government and the US-led coalition have not consistently recorded all deaths, and many deaths may have gone unreported or unrecorded, especially in areas of active conflict. Furthermore, the displacement of millions of civilians due to the war has made it difficult to track and account for all casualties.

The Iraq War has had a profound and lasting impact on the country and its people. The loss of life among Iraqi civilians underscores the devastating consequences of armed conflict and the importance of prioritizing the protection of civilians in war-torn regions.

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