Congressional Research Service ˜ The Library of Congress
CRS Report for Congress
Received through the CRS Web
Order Code RS22126
April 26, 2005
U.S. Military and Iraqi Casualty Statistics:
Additional Numbers and Explanations
Hannah Fischer
Information Research Specialist
Knowledge Services Group
Summary
This report provides several estimates of difficult-to-find casualty statistics from
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Operation
Enduring Freedom includes ongoing operations in Afghanistan, operations against
terrorists in other countries, and operations supporting foreign efforts to defeat terrorists.
Operation Iraqi Freedom includes the invasion of Iraq and all subsequent operations in
Iraq.
The Department of Defense regularly updates total U.S. military deaths and
wounded statistics from OIF and OEF. These updates are reflected in CRS Report
RS21578, Iraq: Summary of U.S. Casualties. Daily updates can be found at
[http://www.defenselink.mil/news/], while more detailed information can be found at
[http://www.dior.whs.mil/mmid/casualty/castop.htm]. However, the Department of
Defense does not publicly release numbers on Iraqi civilian deaths, Iraqi security forces
deaths, or medical evacuations of U.S. military personnel outside of Iraq. Statistics on
these topics are sometimes available through alternative sources, such as nonprofit
organizations or the press.
Many of the statistics included in this report are incomplete or have been released
by non-governmental sources. Readers should exercise caution when using these
statistics and should look on them as guideposts rather than as statements of historical
fact. This report will be updated as needed.
Iraqi Civilian Casualty Estimates
No source has yet released authoritative statistics on the total number of Iraqi
civilians killed during OIF. However, in a discussion with a Reuters reporter, interim Iraq
Human Rights Minister Bakhtiar Amen estimated that the insurgency has killed 6,000
