Deadliest conflicts in Europe and the Middle East 2023| Statista

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, Palestine, 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]	139
Russia [Government of Russia vs. RDK]	47
Russia [Government of Russia vs. LSR]	43

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Release date

May 2024

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Region

Europe, MENA

Survey time period

2023

Supplementary notes

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.

LSR = Freedom of Russia Legion

RDK = Russian Volunteer Corps

SDF = Syrian Democratic Forces

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