In 2018, new uses of cluster munitions were reported only in Syria. At least 38 cluster munitions attacks occurred in Syria between July 2018 and June 2019. Since mid-2012, the Monitor has recorded at least 674 cluster munition attacks - when attacks were first seen in the country.
The Monitor recorded 149 new cluster munition casualties in 2018 globally caused either by attacks using these weapons (65) or as a result of cluster munition remnants (84). It represents a sharp decline from 951 recorded in 2016, mainly due to a change in the Syrian conflict context. This figure remains a major cause for concern: 99% of cluster munition victims are civilians.
In 2018, Yemen had the highest recorded casualties due to cluster munition remnants (31). 40 years after the conflict, casualties continue to be recorded in Lao PDR (21). These figures highlight the dramatic consequences of using cluster munitions, which create long-term contamination by explosive remnants and a deadly threat for the population.
“HI is calling on belligerent parties to immediately end the use of cluster munitions, says Anne Héry, HI Advocacy Director. It also calls on states to put pressure on countries that use cluster munitions to end this practice. Any new use of these weapons should be condemned. Only by systematically condemning their use and stigmatising those responsible, and calling on all states to sign the treaty, will the international community be able to reduce and eventually eradicate the use of cluster munitions.”
