The Department of Defense has released its Annual Report on Civilian Casualties related to United States military operations for the year 2023. This release fulfills the requirements of Section 1057 of the FY18 National Defense Appropriations Act, mandating an annual report on civilian casualties from U.S. military activities in the preceding year.
The report details each incident involving civilian casualties, including information such as date, location, type of operation (air or ground), and numbers of civilians injured or killed. It also outlines procedures for assessing casualty reports, considering ex gratia payments, and mitigating future civilian harm.
According to the report, two U.S. military operations in 2023 resulted in civilian casualties. Additionally, it revises figures from 2021 based on new assessments conducted after last year's report was published. These revisions add one more civilian fatality and three additional injuries to previously reported figures.
Further details can be accessed through the full report and information on ongoing efforts by the Department regarding Civilian Harm Mitigation and Response is available online.