What is the accurate figure for the number of Iraqis killed in the present war?

Question

I have seen figures ranging from 50,000 to 1.5 million. "The Lancet", a British medical journal, places the figure at 1.5 million based on statistical projection. This estimate seems very high. What would an accurate estimate be?

I am avoiding editorial comment. If you want to comment, please do.

Answer 1

Many, many, many so called civilians were actually terrorists.
This has been proven over and over again. Also, this cowardly enemy will retreat into homes, hospitals, schools, etc., etc. for protection as well as hope innocents are killed so our troops are classified as murderers.

Answer 2

IMO the closest you are going to get to an accurate count (although it has its own reliability issues) is the Iraq body count site. They at least require some verification that a death occurred before they count it.

However even they have a problem because they do not distinguish combatants from noncombatants. But if you analyze the numbers statistically you will get a rough umber of actual noncombatants killed. (And an indication of how political bias prevents you from getting that sort of information.)

BTW - The Lancet published two studies on civilian casualties. Both were done by the same author and both were dishonest. The intention was to fool you by only conducting surveys in places that had sustained the bulk of the fighting then extrapolating the results for the entire country.

One way to tell that the study was 'cooked' is to compare the percentage of Sunnis surveyed in the study with their percentage in the total Iraqi population. Over 80% of the people surveyed were Sunni even though they are about 20% of the population (excluding Kurdish Sunni). Since the bulk of the fighting as occurred in the 'Sunni Triangle' you can tell how this would skew the results.

Answer 3

Your question is too broad, and too vague. No one can give you an accurate answer. At the best they can release an estimated number. The number increases daily. The Iraqi's president, and their top general on the ground, probably can see a summary - daily, weekly, monthly, cumulative to date #.
George Bush and our 4 star general also will see the similar kind of briefing on U.S. soldiers casualties on daily,weekly,monthly, cumulative basis. For us to find out how many peoples died in the Iraq war is not that easy. Our soldiers are spending almost all of their energy in fighting the terrorists. Take an accurate count of their dead solider is not the top priority. Monitoring our troops not to get killed is the highest priority. Iraqis side will report a larger number than our number. Their soldiers, civilians were killed from the allied forces as well as the terrorists. We also do not want to see too many casualties over there. It does not matter if it is soldiers, or, civilians.
The Iraq war spending is based on the soldiers needs over there, but I do not know if you noticed our budget number for the war are changing again and again. The war is in progress, and it is pretty tough out there. You are just talking some meaningless estimated numbers. To get an accurate number - go to Iraq and see if our military can grant an opportunity to listen to the briefing. Then, you will get the real stuff and see the real world.

Answer 4

There are only projections, we don't find all the bodies after an air-strike, an artillery-barrage, or other such. High-explosives tend to atomize and scatter human bodies, and the insurgents have a propaganda-motive for denying us an accurate account of their casualties as well. The "Lancet" is definitely a prestigious journal, and since their prestige relies on accuracy of methodology and honesty, their statistical projections are probably very close to reality.

Answer 5

We know. Nobody wants the numbers out there. The Lancet is a real, impartial observer and they're probably more accurate then anyone else since they're not running for office or making any money over there.

Answer 6

Actual killed: 100,000
Excess Mortality: 300,000( lack of infrastructure, access to medical care, disease ect).

All Lancet can do is measure "Excess mortality". But that number can be inflated due to the large number of refugees. Appars Lancet also projects some of their most dire statistical models onto the whole country, even areas little affected by strife and violence. I'm sure there are other factors as well that have led to some highly inflated numbers.

Nonetheless, you won't see conservatives argue the numbers as a full discusion of the truth makes them look all the worse.
Why you have someone like Bush dismiss it with a "I don't believe the numbers". Last thing he wants to deal with is reality.

Answer 7

That is very difficult to say. You have to set standards for this question. Do you mean Iraq civilians killed directly by American troops? Do you mean Iraqi military or insurgent killed by American troops? Do you mean Iraqis killed by insurgents? Do you mean Iraqi women killed by their families because they were kidnapped by insurgents and later released? Nothing is as simple as the media tries to make it. ESPECIALLY the war in Iraq.

Personally, I think we should have bombed them back into the stone ages (which would not have taken a lot of explosives) and never sent troops into the country.

Answer 8

50,000 is to low. We always hear headlines about terrorist attacks in Iraq. 1.5 million is impossible. It is too high and too exaggerated. It is really difficult to say the precise number of people killed.
If you ask the media( i am not referring to all medias ), surely they will critized the US Government by telling that more than 650,000 people already died. I think that Iraqi fatalities is somewhat between 200,000 to 350,000. (only an estimate). Many people already died in this struggle, let's hope that things will get better soon for the innocent not to suffer anymore. Do not believe the estimates of media, it is always exaggerated because they are one of the many Hard critics of Iraqi war, and the Bush administration.

Answer 9

i'm specific the biggest reason has to do with the deep seeded hatred between the numerous non secular communities, (shia and sunni). of direction the different probability is they be attentive to that they do no longer stand a great gamble against armed American squaddies(till they use guriella hit and run approaches and suicide bombers). so as that they do what they do ultimate choose for the straightforward objective.

Answer 10

Certainly the Bush admin is responsible for far more Iraqis killed than Saddam admin...look at this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1oPEfa9Lws