Report highlights extent of government-sanctioned bombings
A new report reveals that Saudi Arabia, Syria and the US were responsible for the majority of state-sanctioned bombings in 2015. Action on Armed Violence (AOAV) has found that more than 16k people were either killed or injured in such bombings worldwide during 2015. A total of 64% of these were civilians. Syrians accounted for the largest affected group, reflecting the continuing conflict, with the most deadly attacks on civilians carried out in markets and places of worship. ISIS was found to be responsible for 19% of all non-state-led bombings, followed by the bombing attacks of Syrian rebel groups. Suicide bombings occurred in 21 countries, killing or injuring 9,205 civilians. Nigeria suffered the most such attacks, 25% of which were recorded in the country.

A view of the ancient town of Palmyra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Syrian Government's army is fighting with ISIS militants for control of the heritage site.

Saudi Arabia, Syria and the United States were responsible for the majority of state-led explosive attacks in 2015, according to a new study published by the advocacy group Action on Armed Violence (AOAV).

The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen, followed by the Syrian government and U.S.-led coalition in Syria, accounted for the majority of government sanctioned bombings in 2015 - in which more than 16,000 people were killed or injured, said the study, released on Tuesday.

It added that 64 percent of those killed or injured were civilians.



Taking into account the raging Syrian civil war - now in its sixth year - Syrians accounted for the largest group of civilians killed or injured last year by bombings.



Operation Inherent Resolve, the name for the U.S.-led coalition, has been combating the so-called Islamic State in Syria and Iraq in an air campaign since August 2014. It is made up of partner countries that include the U.K., France and Australia. As of April 12, it has conducted over 11,500 strikes in Iraq and Syria, according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

