Incident Code

Lib2011-079

Location

East of Steel Factory, Misrata, Libya

Geolocation

32.336699, 15.215170
Accuracy: Nearby landmark

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: LN015)

A NATO airstrike reportedly killed between 11 and 12 rebels in a friendly fire incident near Misurata.

CNN said 11 rebels were killed and two wounded and added: “Angry survivors told Marie Colvin of The Sunday Times that they and the victims were on the coast, east of a steel plant, when a NATO plane bombed them. There were no other planes in the sky, the survivors said. NATO spokesman Eric Povel said he knew nothing about the report and would likely not learn more for several hours.”

Frian posted on Twitter: “A NATO airstrike in the besieged rebel-held city of Misurata mistakenly killed 12 Libyan rebels”

Other sources published similar posts, though with none of them specifying on which day the incident happened.

NATO itself reported hitting “2 rocket launchers; 2 artillery vehicles; 1 armoured personnel carrier” near Misurata on that day but did not mention friendly fire.

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
Military actors reported killed
11–12

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the shore to the east of the Steel Factory for which the generic coordinates are: 32.336699, 15.215170. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

NATO forces Assessment
Known belligerent
NATO forces
NATO forces position on incident
Not yet assessed
NATO forces Strike Report
In the vicinity of Misurata: 2 rocket launchers; 2 artillery vehicles; 1 armoured personnel carrier.