The deadliest conflict involving a state actor in Europe and the Middle East in 2023 was the Russia-Ukraine war, which caused an estimated 70,000 fatalities. This was significantly higher than the conflict with the second highest number of fatalities, the Israel-Hamas war, with more than 22,000 fatalities. The war in Ukraine started after the Russian invasion of the country in February 2022.
Fatalities in state-based conflicts in Europe and the Middle East in 2023, by country and conflict detail
Parties involved
Number of fatalities
Ukraine and Russia [Government of Ukraine vs. Government of Russia]
70,697
Israel and Lebanon [Government of Israel vs. Hamas]
22,392
Syria [Government of Syria vs. Syrian insurgents]*
1,006
Saudi Arabia and Yemen (North Yemen) [Government of Yemen (North Yemen) vs. Forces of the Presidential Leadership Council*****]
800
Armenia and Azerbaijan [Government of Azerbaijan vs. Republic of Artsakh]**
462
Syria [Government of Syria vs. IS]*
458
Iran, Iraq, and Turkey [Government of Turkey vs. PKK]
350
Israel [Government of Israel vs. PIJ]
267
Iraq [Government of Iraq vs. IS*******]
203
Syria [Government of Iran vs. Government of Israel]
160
Israel and Lebanon [Government of Israel vs. Hezbollah]
Refers to the region of the incompatibility, not the battle location.
According to source, provided numbers are (best) estimated battle-related deaths in the given conflict year.
* The following governments are aiding Syria: Government of Iran, Government of Russia ** The Republic of Artsakh is aided by the Government of Armenia. ***The Forces of Hadi is supported by the Government of Bahrain, the Government of Saudi Arabia, the Government of Sudan, and the Government of United Arab Emirates. *****Forces of the Presidential Leadership Council aided by the Government of Bahrain, Government of Saudi Arabia, Government of Sudan, and the Government of the UAE. PIJ=Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine. PJAK=Kurdistan Free Life Party. *******Government of Iraq supported by the Government of France, the Government of the Netherlands, the Government of the UK, and the Government of the U.S.
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UCDP. (May 24, 2024). Fatalities in state-based conflicts in Europe and the Middle East in 2023, by country and conflict detail [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/298129/fatalities-in-state-based-conflicts-in-europe-and-the-middle-east/
UCDP. "Fatalities in state-based conflicts in Europe and the Middle East in 2023, by country and conflict detail." Chart. May 24, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/298129/fatalities-in-state-based-conflicts-in-europe-and-the-middle-east/
UCDP. (2024). Fatalities in state-based conflicts in Europe and the Middle East in 2023, by country and conflict detail. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/298129/fatalities-in-state-based-conflicts-in-europe-and-the-middle-east/
UCDP. "Fatalities in State-based Conflicts in Europe and The Middle East in 2023, by Country and Conflict Detail." Statista, Statista Inc., 24 May 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/298129/fatalities-in-state-based-conflicts-in-europe-and-the-middle-east/
UCDP, Fatalities in state-based conflicts in Europe and the Middle East in 2023, by country and conflict detail Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/298129/fatalities-in-state-based-conflicts-in-europe-and-the-middle-east/ (last visited December 22, 2024)
Fatalities in state-based conflicts in Europe and the Middle East in 2023, by country and conflict detail [Graph], UCDP, May 24, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/298129/fatalities-in-state-based-conflicts-in-europe-and-the-middle-east/
