# Number of civillian deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-civillian-deaths-in-iraq-and-afghanistan/230984>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [February 24, 2004, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-civillian-deaths-in-iraq-and-afghanistan/230984 "2004-02-24T21:54:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 4\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Unregistered\_Bull](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/3da27b/32.png) [@Unregistered\_Bull](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unregistered_Bull)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2004, 9:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-civillian-deaths-in-iraq-and-afghanistan/230984/1 "2004-02-24T21:54:37Z")

</div>

How many civillians have been killed by Allied forces in Iraq and Afghanistan since both countries were invaded?

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2004, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-civillian-deaths-in-iraq-and-afghanistan/230984/2 "2004-02-24T22:59:34Z")

</div>

As neither country had anything resembling a sophisticated form of government, no accurate counts were kept and there are few meaningful records. Estimates by international agencies are all over the place. So I don’t think there’s any reliable data on the subject.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Eurograff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/df705f/32.png) [@Eurograff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eurograff)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-civillian-deaths-in-iraq-and-afghanistan/230984/3 "2004-02-25T01:03:38Z")

</div>

While it’s only fair to suspect every bit of information, the best we currently have is [Iraq Body Count](http://iraqbodycount.net/), which lists each documented case of civilian deaths since the start of this current shooting adventure. Every casualty report has a reliable source, and now the minimum number is well over 8000 already. Of course that’s only the absolute minimum.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![SmackFu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/53a042/32.png) [@SmackFu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmackFu)\
**Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/number-of-civillian-deaths-in-iraq-and-afghanistan/230984/4 "2004-02-25T03:45:23Z")

</div>

Iraq Body Count tries its best, but if it’s anywhere near accurate, it’s just luck. Cite at your peril.