Incident Code

Lib2011-087

Location

الحيرة, Al Hira, Al Jafarah, Libya

Geolocation

32.355833, 13.047222
Accuracy: Village

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: LN011b)

On May 4th, 2011, NATO airstrikes in the Al Hira area, west of Tripoli, led to reported civilian casualties. State television reported deaths and damage to infrastructure, and was quoted in multiple sources. No specific numbers or details about civilian and belligerent casualties were given.

Al Sharq Al-Awsat said fore example: “Libyan TV announced yesterday that NATO forces bombed the Al-Hira area, west of the capital, Tripoli, causing casualties.

‘The aggression of the Crusader colonial coalition bombed the Al-Hira area a short while ago, which led to human and material losses and damage to the infrastructure,’ it added.”

Other sources quoted the state broadcaster as well.

NATO itself declared that strikes occurred “in the vicinity of Tripoli: 2 Ammunition Storages, 1 Bunker and 1 Surface to Air location”.

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Likely strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Weak
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
2–3

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Hira (الحيرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.355833, 13.047222. 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 Tripoli: 2 Ammunition Storages, 1 Bunker and 1 Surface to Air location