by D. Cupples | A new study by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Iraqi government estimates that roughly 151,000 Iraqis died from violence during the three years after the U.S. invaded Iraq. The study's authors say that they are 95% certain that the true number is between 104,000 and 223,000.
This death toll is based on surveys of about 10,000 households. At least two factors may have affected the numbers: 1) many Iraqis had fled and weren't around to report deaths, and 2) many Iraqi neighborhoods were too dangerous to survey. Two statisticians working on the study were killed. The Associated Press reports:
"The new estimate covers a period from the start of the war in March 2003 through June 2006. It closely mirrors the tally Iraq's health minister gave in late 2006, based on 100 bodies a day arriving at morgues and hospitals. His number shocked people in and outside Iraq, because it was so much higher than previously accepted estimates.
"No official count has ever been available. While the U.S. military says it does not track Iraqi deaths, it has erroneously challenged some news reports of tolls from shootings and bombings as exaggerated — indicating it does in fact monitor fatalities....
"The true toll may never be known because many deaths go unreported in the chaos that has gripped the country, or the numbers may be tainted by sectarian bias. The Iraqi security forces and government are led by Shiites. Muslim burial traditions add to difficulties — many families are believed to simply bury loved ones before sundown on the day of death without ever reporting the fatality." (AP)
Other studies have been done, with the Iraqi death toll ranging from about 50,000 to 600,000. Each study seems to inspire heated debate. The WHO study
See Memeorandum for other bloggers' commentary.
Other BN-Politics Posts:
* Iraq War Statistics Still Confusing
* Iraq: Violence Down, Despite Attacks & Rights Violations?
* "Awakening Groups" in Iraq: a Strategy Doomed to Fail?
* More Confusing Statements about Iraq
* Juan Coles' Top-20 Myths of '07
* Defense Secretary Says Military Can't Protect U.S. Interests
* Iran: is Administration Telling Truth or Trying to Save Face?
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