Des Browne
[holding answer 19 March 2008]: The number of reported improvised explosive device (IED) attacks in Basra in each year since 2003 is as follows:
Total 2003 31 2004 115 2005 82 2006 169 2007 296 2008 24
Data for 2003 covers the period after 6 May 2003. The figure for 2008 is for incidents up until 14 March 2008.
These data reflect reported attacks on both military and civilian targets where IEDs have detonated. The figures can only be an estimate of the actual number of such incidents, as, for example, we can never be sure that all attacks, especially against civilian targets, have been reported.