General information
Part of Conflict: n/a
First Battle Related Death: 2003-08-19
Date when dyad reached 25 battle releated deaths: 2004-06-15
Comment on date when dyad reached 25 battle related deaths: IS first became active as a one-sided actor in UCDP data in 2004, when the one-sided violence resulted in more than 25 civilian deaths. The threshold was reached in mid-June of that year when IS attacks on civilians had resulted in more than 25 deaths. Killings continued throughout the year.
Conflict issues
Annual information
This section contains annual information systematically collected by the UCDP.
2003
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 22 |
| Best | 22 |
| Low | 0 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (IS): n/a
Side B (Civilians): n/a
2004
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 97 |
| Best | 92 |
| Low | 92 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (IS): n/a
Side B (Civilians): n/a
2005
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 785 |
| Best | 727 |
| Low | 721 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (IS): n/a
Side B (Civilians): n/a
2006
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 503 |
| Best | 443 |
| Low | 443 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (IS): n/a
Side B (Civilians): n/a
2007
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 2089 |
| Best | 1991 |
| Low | 1436 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (IS): n/a
Side B (Civilians): n/a
2008
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 542 |
| Best | 526 |
| Low | 510 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (IS): n/a
Side B (Civilians): n/a
2009
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 664 |
| Best | 636 |
| Low | 518 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (IS): n/a
Side B (Civilians): n/a
2010
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 773 |
| Best | 738 |
| Low | 602 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (IS): n/a
Side B (Civilians): n/a
2011
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 341 |
| Best | 322 |
| Low | 300 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (IS): n/a
Side B (Civilians): n/a
2012
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 772 |
| Best | 769 |
| Low | 714 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (IS): n/a
Side B (Civilians): n/a
2013
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 2343 |
| Best | 2267 |
| Low | 2149 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (IS): n/a
Side B (Civilians): n/a
2014
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 5028 |
| Best | 4598 |
| Low | 4112 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (IS): n/a
Side B (Civilians): n/a
2015
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 6948 |
| Best | 6335 |
| Low | 6161 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (IS): n/a
Side B (Civilians): n/a
2016
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 4728 |
| Best | 4393 |
| Low | 4311 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (IS): n/a
Side B (Civilians): n/a
2017
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 2965 |
| Best | 2797 |
| Low | 2773 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (IS): n/a
Side B (Civilians): n/a
2018
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 2179 |
| Best | 2040 |
| Low | 1947 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (IS): n/a
Side B (Civilians): n/a
2019
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 1826 |
| Best | 1663 |
| Low | 1535 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (IS): n/a
Side B (Civilians): n/a
2020
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 2656 |
| Best | 2483 |
| Low | 2136 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (IS): n/a
Side B (Civilians): n/a
2021
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 4204 |
| Best | 3791 |
| Low | 3475 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (IS): n/a
Side B (Civilians): n/a
2022
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 4717 |
| Best | 3809 |
| Low | 3289 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (IS): n/a
Side B (Civilians): n/a
2023
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 2417 |
| Best | 2218 |
| Low | 1973 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (IS): n/a
Side B (Civilians): n/a
2024
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 4443 |
| Best | 3808 |
| Low | 3642 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (IS): n/a
Side B (Civilians): n/a
2025
| Estimated Fatalities | |
|---|---|
| High | 2513 |
| Best | 2404 |
| Low | 2302 |
Secondary Warring Support:
Side A (IS): n/a
Side B (Civilians): n/a
Dyad Archive
This section contains annual information no longer systematically collected by the UCDP.
2003 Dyad Archive
Terminated: NO
2004 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: There were several bombing incidents during the year in which the Al-Tawhid wa al-Jihad was accused of involvement but where the group did not claim responsibility. This included the multiple bombs which caused severe destruction on Shia Muslim mosques in Baghdad and Kerbala in early March.
Much of the violence reported in Iraq was not attributed to any named organisation, and the estimates provided for one-sided violence should be considered a conservative low indicator of activity. UCDP continues to explore all available sources for better information on Iraqi violence, and the estimates will be updated in the future.
Comment on Active: Al-Tawhid wa al-Jihad claimed responsibility for several bomb attacks on civilians during the year, in particular in Baghdad. The group also released statements and footage of executions of hostages that were accused of working with the government and the international presence in Iraq.
The first statement of the group al-Tawhid wa al-Jihad was published on 24 April 2004. In October, the group announced a name change to TQJBR (Tanzim Qaidat al-Jihad fi Bilad al-Rafidayn, The Organization of Jihads Base in the Country of the Two Rivers) after which it often became referred to as al-Qaida in Iraq, or AQI.
Negotiations: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2005 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: In October 2005, ISI carried out three suicide bombings at three international hotels in central Amman; the Grand Hyatt, the Radisson SAS and the Days Inn. The synchronised attacks were carried out as crowds were celebrating weddings, resulting in a large number of people killed. ISI, then led by the Jordanian-born Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, claimed responsibility for the bombings.
Negotiations: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2006 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: Much of the violence reported in Iraq was not attributed to any named organisation, and the estimates provided for one-sided violence should be considered a conservative low indicator of activity. UCDP continues to explore all available sources for better information on Iraqi violence, and the estimates will be updated in the future.
Comment on Active: Kidnappings and individual executions became less common as ISI continued to focus on high-profile bomb attacks against civilians. The majority of these attacks seemed to target public places in areas mainly populated by Shia Muslims. During the year, there were several assassinations of journalists claimed by the ISI.
In January 2006, the TQJBR incorporated several other smaller organisations and started making announcements as the leaders of the MSC (Mujahideen Shura Council). The MSC proclaimed itself in October as the ISI (Dawlat al-’Iraq al-Islamiyya, Islamic State in Iraq) through a joint statement with supportive tribal leaders under the name Hilf al-Mutayyabin (Alliance of the Scented Ones).
It was announced that MSC was led by the previously unknown Abdullahi Rashid al-Baghdani (or Abu Omar al-Baghdani) even though most observers agreed that al-Zarqawi, as head of TQJBR, controlled also the umbrella of MSC. Al-Zarqawi was killed in June 2006 and succeeded by Abu Hamza al-Mujahir (a.k.a. Abu Ayyub al-Masri). Within the “cabinet” of ISI, al-Mujahir was designated Minister of War. The head of the ISI cabinet was named as Abu Abdulrahman al-Falahi.
Negotiations: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2007 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The discrepancy between the low and best estimate is a consequence of a few large incidents where available evidence and statements from the police suggest ISI was responsible, but where there was no official confirmation from ISI.
Comment on Active: In 2007, ISI focused primarily on the use of bombs rather than assassinations or kidnappings. The most notable development during the year was the ISI increased its use of booby-trapped fuel tankers in suicide car attacks to significant destructive effect. One example of such an attack was the one targeting the minority Yazidi sect in Mosul on 14 August where three fuel tankers exploded, causing over 500 deaths.
Negotiations: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2008 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The estimates presented here should be considered as conservatively low. A large number of attacks on civilians could not be attributed to any organised group and has thus not been included in the UCDP data.
Comment on Active: In the first half of 2008, ISI carried out a number of large-scale attacks against civilians. The attacks often involved one or more suicide bombers. One notable example was a suicide attack in early February in Baghdad which claimed more than 60 lives. Several mass graves, for which ISI was blamed, were also found in northern Iraq during the year.
Negotiations: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2009 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The estimates presented here should be considered as conservatively low. A large number of attacks on civilians could not be attributed to any organised group and has thus not been included in the UCDP data.
Comment on Active: In 2009, ISI continued to use suicide bombers and car bombs in its attacks against civilians. A number of attacks were directed against worshippers, such as the killing of more than 70 people who were leaving a Shia mosque near the town of Kirkuk. Several Christians were also killed during the year, mainly in Mosul.
Negotiations: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2010 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The estimates presented here should be considered as conservatively low. A large number of attacks on civilians could not be attributed to any organised group and has thus not been included in the UCDP data.
Comment on Active: In 2010, ISI continued to use suicide bombers and car bombs in its attacks against civilians. As in previous years, a number of attacks were directed against worshippers, such as the suicide attack directed against Shiite pilgrims on their way to Karbala in early February, which killed 42 people. Several coordinated attacks were also carried out in crowded markets, with high numbers of fatalities as a result.
Negotiations: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2011 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The estimates presented here should be considered as conservatively low. A large number of attacks on civilians could not be attributed to any organised group and has thus not been included in the UCDP data.
Comment on Active: In 2011, ISI continued to use suicide bombers and car bombs in its attacks against civilians. As in previous years, a number of attacks were directed against worshippers, such as the suicide attack directed against Shiite pilgrims in the outskirts of Samarra town in mid-February, which killed 48 people.
Negotiations: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2012 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The estimates presented here should be considered as conservatively low. A large number of attacks on civilians could not be attributed to any organised group and has thus not been included in the UCDP data.
Comment on Active: In 2012, ISI continued to use suicide bombers and car bombs in its attacks against civilians. As in previous years, a number of attacks were directed against worshippers, such as the suicide attack directed against Shiite pilgrims in Basra town in mid-January, which killed more than 50 people.
Negotiations: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2013 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: In 2013, ISIS drastically increased the number of attacks against civilians. The group continued to use suicide bombers and car bombs in its attacks against civilians. As in previous years, a number of attacks were directed against worshipers.
Negotiations: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2014 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: IS carried out attacks against civilians in both Iraq and Syria in 2014. The fatalities from Syria has not yet been included in the fatality figures.
Comment on Active: In 2014, IS continued to carry out large-scale attacks on civilians and hundreds of thousands of civilians have fled the fighting in northern Iraq. When Sinjar town and other nearby villages were attacked by IS, tens of thousands fled towards the Sinjar Mountain. There the refugees found themselves trapped under severe conditions as IS forces surrounded the mountain. Eventually the Syrian Kurdish fighters from YPG (Peoples Protection Units) opened a safe corridor through Syria to the northern Iraqi province of Dahuk controlled by the Peshmerga. Hundreds of civilians were killed during the attack against Sinjar town and its surroundings.
Following the capture of Mosul city, IS executed more than 600 unarmed inmates from a prison outside the city. Most of the prisoners were Shi’as and Yazidis.
The group continued to use suicide bombers and car bombs in its attacks against civilians.
Negotiations: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2015 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The figures should be considered as conservative estimates.
Comment on Active: In 2015, IS continued to carry out large-scale attacks on civilians and hundreds of thousands of civilians have fled the fighting in Iraq and Syria. The attacks have often consisted of suicide- and car bombings in crowded places. A large number of civilians have also been killed as IS and security forces have battled over populated areas.
Furthermore, since 2014, a number of groups in other countries have pledged allegiance to IS. After a group has been accepted as member of IS by the IS leadership, it is seen as part of the IS structure. Subsequently, IS-attacks against civilians have been carried out in a large number of countries (in addition to Iraq and Syria), including Afghanistan, Egypt, France, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.
Negotiations: NO
Victory: NO
Terminated: NO
2016 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The figures should be considered as conservative estimates.
Comment on Active: In 2016, IS continued to carry out large-scale attacks on civilians and hundreds of thousands of civilians have fled the fighting in Iraq and Syria. The attacks have often consisted of suicide- and car bombings in crowded places. A large number of civilians have also been killed as IS and security forces have battled over populated areas, including in Mosul and Fallujah in Iraq.
Furthermore, since 2014, a number of groups in other countries have pledged allegiance to IS. After a group has been accepted as member of IS by the IS leadership, it is seen as part of the IS structure. Subsequently, IS-attacks against civilians have been carried out in a large number of countries (in addition to Iraq and Syria), including Afghanistan, France, Germany, Libya, Nigeria, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen.
Terminated: NO
2017 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The figures should be considered as conservative estimates. Note also that many civilians who were killed during for example the battle over Mosul 2016-2017 were included in the state-based category (Government of Iraq - IS).
Comment on Active: In 2017, IS continued to carry out a large number of attacks against civilians, the majority of which took place in Iraq, Egypt, Syria, and Afghanistan. At the same time, the group lost control over most of the territories that the group once held in Iraq and Syria, including Mosul and Raqqa. In December 2017, Iraq Prime Minister Abadi declared victory over IS in Iraq. Despite this, IS carried out a number of attacks in Iraq, albeit on a much lower scale than previously.
Terminated: NO
2018 Dyad Archive
Comment on Yearly Battle Related Deaths: The figures should be considered as conservative estimates. Note also that many civilian deaths were coded as part of the state-based category.
Comment on Active: In 2018, IS continued to carry out a large number of attacks against civilians in a number of countries, the majority of which took place in Afghanistan, Cameroon, Iraq, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan and Syria.
Terminated: NO
2019 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: In 2019 one-sided violence by IS was documented in 18 countries, major attacks were reported in DR Congo, Sri Lanka where IS attacked a church and two hotels during the Easter holiday and Afghanistan.
Terminated: NO
2020 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: In 2020, IS-led violence was recorded in 17 countries, most notably in DR Congo, Mozambique and Nigeria. The group expanded into new territories and increased recruitment among local militant groups, resulting in rising civilian casualties in regions previously unaffected by IS.
Terminated: NO
2021 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: Following its 'defeat' in Iraq and Syria in 2019, IS shifted its focus to the African continent. Although IS had been present in many countries in the Sahel region for years, the group intensified attacks and pushed into new territories. In 2021, IS was active in at least 15 countries, most IS attacks against civilians took place in DR Congo, Mozambique, Niger and Afghanistan.
Terminated: NO
2022 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: In 2022, IS was the actor involved in most one-sided killings in the world, for the eight consecutive year. Attacks were registered in 13 different countries, with the majority of the attacks taking place in DR Congo, Mali, Afghanistan, and Mozambique.
Terminated: NO
2023 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: In 2023, IS was the actor involved in most one-sided killings in the world, for the ninth consecutive year. Attacks were registered in 16 different countries, with the majority of the attacks taking place in DR Congo, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Mali confirming the group's continued dominance in parts of Africa..
Terminated: NO
2024 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: In 2024, IS was the actor involved in most one-sided killings in the world, for the tenth consecutive year. Attacks were registered in 15 different countries, with the majority of the attacks taking place in DR Congo, Nigeria and Niger.
Terminated: NO
2025 Dyad Archive
Comment on Active: IS significantly deescalated its use of one-sided violence in 2025. However, one-sided killings carried out by the group were recorded in 12 different countries; Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, DR Congo, Iraq, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, and Syria. Most attacks took place in DR Congo where the IS affiliate (formerly ADF), continued to carry out attacks in Ituri and North Kivu provinces, albeit at lower levels than the previous year.
Terminated: NO
