Iraqi Civilian Casualties Estimates

This report presents various governmental and nongovernmental estimates of Iraqi civilian dead and wounded. The Department of Defense DOD regularly updates total U.S. military death and wounded statistics from Operation Iraqi Freedom OIF, as reflected in CRS Report RS21578, Iraq Summary of U.S. Casualties. However, no Iraqi or U.S. government office regularly releases publically available statistics on Iraqi civilian deaths or civilians who have been wounded. Statistics on Iraqi civilian dead and wounded are sometimes available through alternative sources, such as nonprofit organizations, or through statements made by officials to the press. Because these estimates are based on varying time periods and have been created using differing methodologies, readers should exercise caution when using these statistics and should look on them as guideposts rather than as statements of fact. See also CRS Report RS22532, Iraqi Police and Security Forces Deaths Estimates. This report will be updated as needed.