Incident Code

LC245

Location

مصنع السنبلة للبسكويت, Sunbulah biscuit factory, Tarabulus, Libya

Geolocation

32.73959, 13.37904
Accuracy: Exact location (via Airwars)

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

Between seven and ten civilians were reportedly killed in an LNA or Emirati airstrike on a biscuit factory in Wadi al Rabie.

Reuters said: “At least seven workers were killed and another 35 wounded in an air strike that hit a biscuit factory on Monday in a southern suburb of the Libyan capital, Tripoli, emergency services said.

Those killed in the district of Wadi Rabea, about 21 km (13 miles) from the city center, included two Libyans and five foreigners from Bangladesh and sub-Saharan African countries, said Usama Ali, a spokesman for the ambulance and emergency authority in Tripoli.”

The Field Medicine and Support Center (FMSC), like most other sources, put the death toll at seven: “On Monday, 18/11/2019, Al-Sunbulah factory for biscuit industry in Wadi al Rabie area was bombarded by air strikes, killing 7 people, 2 Libyans and 5 foreign workers.”

The Libya Observer put the death toll at seven with 15 people injured.

According to Akhbar Libya 24, ten people were killed and 35 wounded.

Most sources either accused the LNA or the UAE, with Reuters saying: “Officials in eastern Libya contacted by Reuters on Monday said they had no information about an air strike by their forces.”

Key Information

Country
Strike Type
Airstrike (Drone Strike)
Strike Status
Likely strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
7–10
Civilians reported injured
15–35
5 Men

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the Sunbulah Biscuit Factory (مصنع السنبلة للبسكويت) being struck. Analyzing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location of this strike to these exact coordinates: 32.73959, 13.37904.

Reports of the incident mention the Sunbulah Biscuit Factory (مصنع السنبلة للبسكويت) being struck. Analyzing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed the strike down to an exact location.

Imagery: Google Earth

Close-up of exact location

Imagery: Google Earth

Distribution of tags from audio-visual material.

Imagery: Google Earth

Distribution of tags from audio-visual material.

Imagery: Defense Arab

Military Statements

Libyan National Army Assessment
Suspected belligerent
Libyan National Army
Libyan National Army position on incident
Not yet assessed
United Arab Emirates Military Assessment
Suspected belligerent
United Arab Emirates Military
United Arab Emirates Military position on incident
Not yet assessed

Media From Sources (14)