Incident Code

Lib2011-058

Location

مرسى البريقة, Brega, Al Wahat, Libya

Geolocation

30.411123, 19.570076
Accuracy: Town

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: LN008)

Between ten and 13 rebel fighters were reportedly killed in friendly fire by a NATO airstrike near Brega. This included three medical students, whom Airwars has classed as non combatants.

While Al Jazeera provided the lowest death toll at ten, the BBC reported: “At least 13 people are reported to have been killed when a coalition plane flying over Libya fired on a rebel convoy between Brega and Ajdabiya on Friday, the rebels say.

Doctors at a hospital in Ajdabiya told the BBC that three medical students were among the dead. Nato said it was looking into the incident but that it was very difficult to verify details about what happened.”

Apparently the aircraft struck because “the rebels were on their way to Brega when they fired into the air with an anti-aircraft gun, the BBC’s Nick Springate reported from the scene of the attack.”

The New York Times also said 13 rebels were killed and quoted two injured fighters.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
3

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Brega (البريقة), for which the generic coordinates are: 30.411123, 19.570076. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

NATO forces Assessment
Suspected belligerent
NATO forces
NATO forces position on incident
Not yet assessed