British Casualty Monitor: Tracking the war in Afghanistan

Troops in theatre: 7,800
Duration of war: 6 years, 8 months
UK military fatalities: 116
Last reported death: 18th August
Casualty data analysed to: June 15
UK military casualties in 2007: 1442
UK military casualties in 2008: 713*
Total war casualties: data not released

The graphs below are compiled from official Ministry of Defence data and aim to illustrate the current situation and recent trends in British casualties in Afghanistan. They are updated as and when data is released by the MOD. The fatality count given above is updated on a daily basis. We are fully aware of the limitations in the data released by the MOD and its incompleteness. Nevertheless, the official data does provide the best available measure of the cost of war to British forces and is useful for following trends in the conflict.

The analysis and format used here is the same as for the Iraq casualty monitoring page. Comparison between the two conflicts is therefore relatively straight forward and the summary graphs indicate, that in both theatres, British troops experienced a significantly higher burden of casualties in 2007 compared to previous years. The situation in 2008 remains unstable and unpredictable, with further heavy fighting in Afghanistan combined with strategic adaptation by anti-UK forces, and the continuing presence of British troops in southern Iraq. The recent spike in British fatalities in the Afghan war will be reflected in the statistics for June.

*The figures for British casualties in 2007 and 2008 are the sum of fatalities, field hospital admissions and medical evacuations up to the end of the latest MOD reporting period.

NB To enlarge the graphs for easier reading click on the images. All Casualty Monitor graphics can also be accessed here.