This Sunday marked the 20th anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, a war that lasted eight years and involved the deaths of some 4,600 U.S. service members. Iraq was part of the broader “Global War on Terror,” a term coined by the Bush administration to reflect the United States’ new aggressive policy following the events of September 11.
From the Pentagon and the World Trade Center to a field outside of Shanksville, Pennsylvania, the attacks left 3,400 people dead. The events of that day also spawned a new era in U.S. foreign policy – one that would lead to thousands more American deaths in the coming decades.
Less than one month after the 9/11 attacks, the War on Terror began when the U.S. and NATO allies started military strikes in Afghanistan. Then, in 2003, the War on Terror escalated further, when the U.S. launched an invasion of Iraq.
Though the ongoing War on Terror achieved several goals, including the killing of al-Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden and regime change in Iraq, the results came at a steep price. Since the first American was killed in Afghanistan in October 2001, nearly 6,900 American service men and women from all 50 states have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. (Here is a look at how many Americans died in the U.S. military each year since 1980.)
Using data compiled by iCasualties, a website that tracks the death toll from the post 9/11 wars, 24/7 Wall St. identified the states where the most service members were killed in conflicts stemming from the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks. States are listed by the number of residents who died in post-9/11 conflicts as a share of all deaths in these conflicts across the 50 states.
Though the U.S. has since withdrawn from Afghanistan and Iraq, no corner of the country remains untouched by the wars of the last 20 years. Across the U.S., the number of Americans who have died serving in the War on Terror – including military personnel, intelligence agents, or those deployed in a civilian capacity – ranges from 17 to 755, depending on the state.
It is important to note that while the vast majority of Americans killed during the War on Terror died in combat situations, hundreds of deaths also occurred in non-hostile situations. Many of the deaths on this list were the result of accidents like aircraft crashes and friendly fire incidents. Death tolls also include those attributable to illness and suicide. (Here is a look at the 12 wars where the most Americans died outside of combat.)
Click here to see each state’s death toll in America’s post 9/11 wars.
Click here to see our detailed methodology.
Source: Bastiaan Slabbers / iStock Unreleased via Getty Images
50. Delaware
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 0.2% of all US deaths (17 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 0.3% of US deaths in conflict (14 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 0.1% of US deaths in conflict (03 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.7% of adult population (13,130 total)
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49. North Dakota
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 0.3% of all US deaths (20 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 0.3% of US deaths in conflict (14 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 0.3% of US deaths in conflict (06 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 2.0% of adult population (11,728 total)
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48. Rhode Island
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 0.3% of all US deaths (20 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 0.3% of US deaths in conflict (12 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 0.3% of US deaths in conflict (08 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.2% of adult population (10,293 total)
Source: Harald Schmidt / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
47. Wyoming
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 0.3% of all US deaths (22 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 0.3% of US deaths in conflict (15 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 0.3% of US deaths in conflict (07 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 2.2% of adult population (9,601 total)
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Source: ErikaMitchell / iStock via Getty Images
46. Vermont
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 0.4% of all US deaths (25 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 0.5% of US deaths in conflict (21 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 0.2% of US deaths in conflict (04 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.1% of adult population (5,596 total)
45. Alaska
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 0.4% of all US deaths (25 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 0.4% of US deaths in conflict (17 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 0.3% of US deaths in conflict (08 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 4.1% of adult population (21,759 total)
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44. South Dakota
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 0.4% of all US deaths (26 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 0.4% of US deaths in conflict (20 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 0.3% of US deaths in conflict (06 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.9% of adult population (12,591 total)
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43. Montana
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 0.6% of all US deaths (38 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 0.6% of US deaths in conflict (29 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 0.4% of US deaths in conflict (09 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 2.5% of adult population (21,251 total)
42. New Hampshire
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 0.6% of all US deaths (40 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 0.5% of US deaths in conflict (23 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 0.7% of US deaths in conflict (17 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.5% of adult population (17,199 total)
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Source: virsuziglis / iStock via Getty Images
41. West Virginia
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 0.6% of all US deaths (41 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 0.6% of US deaths in conflict (26 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 0.6% of US deaths in conflict (15 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.4% of adult population (20,218 total)
Source: JamesYetMingAu-Photography / iStock via Getty Images
40. Hawaii
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 0.6% of all US deaths (43 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 0.6% of US deaths in conflict (29 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 0.6% of US deaths in conflict (14 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 2.7% of adult population (29,199 total)
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39. Maine
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 0.7% of all US deaths (47 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 0.5% of US deaths in conflict (24 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 1.0% of US deaths in conflict (23 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.8% of adult population (20,012 total)
38. Idaho
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 0.7% of all US deaths (50 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 0.7% of US deaths in conflict (33 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 0.7% of US deaths in conflict (17 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 2.3% of adult population (33,479 total)
Source: George Frey / Getty Images
37. Utah
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 0.8% of all US deaths (52 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 0.6% of US deaths in conflict (25 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 1.1% of US deaths in conflict (27 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.5% of adult population (35,323 total)
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Source: Christian Horz / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
36. Connecticut
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 0.8% of all US deaths (52 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 0.7% of US deaths in conflict (32 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 0.8% of US deaths in conflict (20 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.0% of adult population (28,064 total)
Source: usairforce / Flickr
35. Nevada
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 0.8% of all US deaths (55 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 0.8% of US deaths in conflict (36 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 0.8% of US deaths in conflict (19 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 2.1% of adult population (50,602 total)
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Source: Courtesy of New Mexico Military Institute
34. New Mexico
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 0.8% of all US deaths (58 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 0.9% of US deaths in conflict (42 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 0.7% of US deaths in conflict (16 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.7% of adult population (27,402 total)
Source: usairforce / Flickr
33. Nebraska
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 0.9% of all US deaths (62 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 1.0% of US deaths in conflict (46 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 0.7% of US deaths in conflict (16 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.8% of adult population (27,279 total)
Source: Smith Collection/Gado / Archive Photos via Getty Images
32. Iowa
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 1.1% of all US deaths (73 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 1.1% of US deaths in conflict (49 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 1.0% of US deaths in conflict (24 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.3% of adult population (33,022 total)
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Source: drnadig / iStock via Getty Images
31. Mississippi
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 1.1% of all US deaths (77 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 1.2% of US deaths in conflict (54 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 1.0% of US deaths in conflict (23 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.8% of adult population (39,492 total)
Source: CRobertson / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
30. Kansas
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 1.1% of all US deaths (78 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 1.1% of US deaths in conflict (50 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 1.2% of US deaths in conflict (28 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.8% of adult population (39,730 total)
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29. Arkansas
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 1.3% of all US deaths (92 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 1.4% of US deaths in conflict (63 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 1.2% of US deaths in conflict (29 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.9% of adult population (43,684 total)
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28. Minnesota
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 1.4% of all US deaths (98 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 1.5% of US deaths in conflict (68 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 1.3% of US deaths in conflict (30 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.1% of adult population (49,217 total)
Source: AdShooter / iStock via Getty Images
27. South Carolina
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 1.5% of all US deaths (101 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 1.3% of US deaths in conflict (60 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 1.7% of US deaths in conflict (41 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 2.2% of adult population (89,618 total)
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Source: ldeitman / iStock via Getty Images
26. Alabama
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 1.5% of all US deaths (106 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 1.6% of US deaths in conflict (73 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 1.4% of US deaths in conflict (33 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 2.1% of adult population (81,863 total)
Source: chapin31 / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
25. Colorado
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 1.6% of all US deaths (107 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 1.5% of US deaths in conflict (69 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 1.6% of US deaths in conflict (38 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 2.4% of adult population (106,903 total)
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24. Oregon
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 1.6% of all US deaths (108 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 1.6% of US deaths in conflict (74 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 1.4% of US deaths in conflict (34 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.5% of adult population (52,011 total)
Source: John Moore / Getty Images News via Getty Images
23. Kentucky
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 1.7% of all US deaths (115 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 1.6% of US deaths in conflict (71 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 1.8% of US deaths in conflict (44 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.5% of adult population (51,780 total)
Source: Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
22. Wisconsin
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 1.8% of all US deaths (124 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 2.0% of US deaths in conflict (89 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 1.5% of US deaths in conflict (35 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.3% of adult population (59,409 total)
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Source: joeynick / iStock via Getty Images
21. Louisiana
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 1.8% of all US deaths (127 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 2.0% of US deaths in conflict (90 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 1.5% of US deaths in conflict (37 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.5% of adult population (52,677 total)
Source: coastalpics / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
20. Maryland
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 1.9% of all US deaths (128 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 1.8% of US deaths in conflict (81 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 2.0% of US deaths in conflict (47 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 2.2% of adult population (102,951 total)
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19. New Jersey
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 1.9% of all US deaths (131 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 1.8% of US deaths in conflict (82 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 2.0% of US deaths in conflict (49 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 0.7% of adult population (53,196 total)
18. Massachusetts
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 1.9% of all US deaths (132 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 1.8% of US deaths in conflict (80 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 2.2% of US deaths in conflict (52 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 0.7% of adult population (39,791 total)
Source: whitehouse45 / Flickr
17. Oklahoma
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 1.9% of all US deaths (133 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 1.8% of US deaths in conflict (79 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 2.3% of US deaths in conflict (54 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 2.2% of adult population (64,807 total)
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16. Tennessee
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 2.1% of all US deaths (144 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 2.2% of US deaths in conflict (98 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 1.9% of US deaths in conflict (46 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.8% of adult population (98,295 total)
Source: tedpagel / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
15. Missouri
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 2.1% of all US deaths (146 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 2.0% of US deaths in conflict (91 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 2.3% of US deaths in conflict (55 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.5% of adult population (73,573 total)
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14. Arizona
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 2.2% of all US deaths (151 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 2.2% of US deaths in conflict (99 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 2.2% of US deaths in conflict (52 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 2.0% of adult population (112,422 total)
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Source: Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
13. Indiana
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 2.2% of all US deaths (152 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 2.1% of US deaths in conflict (96 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 2.3% of US deaths in conflict (56 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.3% of adult population (66,924 total)
Source: ninjaMonkeyStudio / E+ via Getty Images
12. Washington
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 2.2% of all US deaths (153 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 2.1% of US deaths in conflict (95 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 2.4% of US deaths in conflict (58 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 2.3% of adult population (136,014 total)
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11. North Carolina
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 2.8% of all US deaths (196 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 2.5% of US deaths in conflict (112 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 3.5% of US deaths in conflict (84 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 2.0% of adult population (166,398 total)
Source: whitehouse45 / Flickr
10. Virginia
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 3.1% of all US deaths (215 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 3.1% of US deaths in conflict (138 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 3.2% of US deaths in conflict (77 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 3.5% of adult population (231,047 total)
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Source: itpow / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
9. Georgia
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 3.2% of all US deaths (218 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 3.2% of US deaths in conflict (144 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 3.1% of US deaths in conflict (74 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 2.1% of adult population (173,397 total)
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Source: Roberto Galan / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
8. Michigan
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 3.4% of all US deaths (231 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 3.6% of US deaths in conflict (163 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 2.8% of US deaths in conflict (68 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.1% of adult population (86,440 total)
Source: EAGiven / iStock Editorial via Getty Images
7. Illinois
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 3.7% of all US deaths (254 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 3.7% of US deaths in conflict (165 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 3.7% of US deaths in conflict (89 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.1% of adult population (103,626 total)
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Source: J.D. Pooley / Getty Images News via Getty Images
6. Ohio
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 4.0% of all US deaths (279 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 4.2% of US deaths in conflict (188 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 3.8% of US deaths in conflict (91 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.3% of adult population (123,040 total)
5. Pennsylvania
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 4.3% of all US deaths (294 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 4.4% of US deaths in conflict (198 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 4.0% of US deaths in conflict (96 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.1% of adult population (117,747 total)
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Source: usairforce / Flickr
4. New York
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 4.4% of all US deaths (306 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 4.4% of US deaths in conflict (199 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 4.5% of US deaths in conflict (107 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 0.7% of adult population (116,010 total)
Source: USAF / Getty Images News via Getty Images
3. Florida
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 5.2% of all US deaths (356 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 4.5% of US deaths in conflict (203 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 6.4% of US deaths in conflict (153 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.7% of adult population (302,120 total)
Source: Joe Raedle / Getty Images News via Getty Images
2. Texas
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 9.0% of all US deaths (617 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 9.5% of US deaths in conflict (426 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 8.0% of US deaths in conflict (191 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 2.1% of adult population (460,466 total)
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Source: Bill Chizek / iStock via Getty Images
1. California
> State residents killed in post 9/11 conflicts: 11.0% of all US deaths (755 total)
> State residents killed in Iraq War: 10.8% of US deaths in conflict (486 total)
> State residents killed in Afghanistan War: 11.2% of US deaths in conflict (269 total)
> Veterans who served in post 9/11 era living in state: 1.1% of adult population (332,531 total)
Methodology
To identify the states where the most service members were killed in conflicts stemming from the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed data from iCasualties, a website that tracks the death toll from the post 9/11 wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. States are ranked by the number of residents who died as a share of the total number of people killed from each of the 50 states.
Fatalities resulting from incidents such as friendly fire, illness, and suicide were also tallied in addition to those attributable to hostile enemy activity. Fatalities broken down by conflict – either Iraq or Afghanistan – did not necessarily occur in those countries, as many fatalities occurred on American military bases, which are considered U.S. soil, and in other countries throughout the region and around the world.
Data on the share of veterans living in each state who served in the post 9/11 era, as well as the number of adults 18 and older in each state, are one-year estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2021 American Community Survey.
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