Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

LC422

Incident date

October 19, 2020

Location

الجغبوب, Al Jaghboub, Butnan, Libya

Geolocation

29.742500, 24.516944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two fishermen were reported killed in alleged Egyptian airstrikes on Al Jaghboub near the Libyan-Egyptian border on October 19th, 2020, according to local sources.

Libya Al Ahrar wrote that “a security source confirmed that two Libyan fishermen were killed between the Libyan-Egyptian borders as a result of their targeting by the Egyptian warplanes”, identifying the victims as Abdullah Al Ashaibi and Razzaq Al Qatani. The source stated he lost contact with the men before finding their bodies in the Jaghboub desert.

According to the source, “the fishermen had approached the Egyptian border by mistake, even though they had set up their tent inside the Libyan borders”. Libya Al Ahrar posted a short video clip of the reported strike.

The Libyan Observer only reported one death, writing that the strike killed Al Ashaibi when it hit his car. All sources pointed to the Egyptian air force as the responsible belligerent.

According to Libya Observer, a similar incident occurred four years ago: “About four years ago three falconers from the city of Al-Bayda were also targeted by an Egyptian military aircraft in the same area, while the fourth falconer was lucky enough to escape the attack and survived to tell the story.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Egyptian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Jaghboub (الجغبوب), for which the generic coordinates are: 29.7425, 24.516944. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Egyptian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Egyptian Military
  • Egyptian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Egyptian Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC080

Incident date

May 15, 2018

Location

الكفرة, Kufra, Libya

Geolocation

24.186944, 23.268056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three Eritrean citizens were reportedly killed in an airstrike in Kufra city and eight more Eritrean asylum seekers wounded in an airstrike in Kufra city near Abdulmalik mountain close to the Egyptian border, according to Vincent Cochetel, Special Envoy of the UNHCR for the Central Mediterranean situation.

Jamal Adel said on Twitter the strike was presumably conducted by Egypt.

Libya’s Channel reported on the incident and showed footage of the victims being treated at the hospital: “The immigration office in Kufra has received a report of an airstrike in the evening in the West of the city targeting a vehicle that was loaded with immigrants from different nations. They have been taken to the city hospital to be treated with the help of the Libyan Red Crescent al Kufra branch who provide the medical treatment, medicine and other humanitarian assistance.” It further quoted the Red Crescent: “We received a call from the hospital that eight people were severely injured. We are unable to treat them here due to the lack of facilities. This sort of injuries require advanced equipment and a specialist team.”

Libya’s Channel published a similar report in writing on their website of which various outlets published carbon copies.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Egyptian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Kufra (الكفرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 24.186944, 23.268056. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Egyptian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Egyptian Military
  • Egyptian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    8
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Egyptian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ061

Incident date

November 22, 2017

Location

الحدود الليبية المصرية, Libyan-Egyptian border, Libya

Geolocation

29.3223255, 24.7302246 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Various sources reported Egyptian airstrikes destroying 10 vehicles allegedly loaded with ammunition and weapons at the Libyan side of the border.

“‘The air force has dealt a new blow to smugglers and infiltrators across the border,’ preventing them from bringing weapons and ammunition into Egypt, army spokesman Tamer al-Refai said in a statement posted on Facebook”, according to Middle East Online.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Egyptian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Images: Akhbar Libya 24

Egyptian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Egyptian Military
  • Egyptian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Egyptian Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC075

Incident date

October 30, 2017

Location

الحدود الليبية المصرية, Libyan-Egyptian border, Kufra, Libya

Geolocation

23.497265, 22.112335 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two sources reported that the Egyptian Air Force destroyed six vehicles at the border with Egypt in the Kufra district. One of them claimed that it had loaded weapons and ammunition while another claimed it was a civilian car coming back from a fishing trip.

Mansoura Today reported, for example, that “Yesterday, the air force destroyed six-wheel-drive vehicles loaded with ammunition and weapons as it penetrated our western border.”

But Libya Today TV instead claimed that “An unknown warplane bombarded a civilian vehicle near Kufra during a fishing trip.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Egyptian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Libyan-Egyptian border of the Al Kufra (الكفرة) subdistrict. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Kufra are: 23.497265, 22.112335.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Libyan-Egyptian border of the Al Kufra (الكفرة) subdistrict.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Egyptian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Egyptian Military
  • Egyptian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Egyptian Military

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ059

Incident date

October 23, 2017

Location

الحدود الليبية المصرية, Libyan-Egyptian border, Libya

Geolocation

29.3223255, 24.7302246 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Egyptian planes destroyed a convoy of eight cars before it crossed the border from Libya. Reportedly the cars were loaded with weapons and belonged to an unknown extremist militia.

Al Hayat reported the following: “Army spokesman Colonel Tamer al-Rifai said that  Egyptian forces are conducting sweeps and raiding to the mountains and mountainous areas to track the terrorist elements executing attacks in the oases area, in conjunction with continuing efforts to protect the state borders in all strategic directions. He explained that the air force thwarted a new attempt to penetrate the western border, and resulted in the destruction of eight SUVs loaded with quantities of weapons and ammunition and high explosives, and the elimination of terrorist elements inside.”

There were no known public reports of civilian harm during the event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Egyptian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Egyptian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Egyptian Military
  • Egyptian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Egyptian Military

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ057

Incident date

September 28, 2017

Location

الحدود الليبية المصرية, Libyan-Egyptian border, Libya

Geolocation

29.3223255, 24.7302246 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The Egyptian air force destroyed ten vehicles it said were attempting to enter the country from the border with Libya, and which were allegedly smuggling weapons.

According to Arab Today, “The raid was carried out on Wednesday on the basis of information that “criminal elements were preparing to infiltrate” Egypt, said army spokesman Col. Tamer El-Refai in a statement. The officer said that the vehicles were attacked once they entered Egyptian territory, but he did not specify the fate of those in the convoy. Egypt, which has struck terrorist targets inside Libya, regularly warns of a spillover of instability from its lawless western neighbour, a haven of arms and people trafficking.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Egyptian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Egyptian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Egyptian Military
  • Egyptian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Egyptian Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ056

Incident date

August 21, 2017

Location

الحدود الليبية المصرية, Libyan-Egyptian border, Butnan, Libya

Geolocation

29.3223255, 24.7302246 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Egyptian warplanes targeted nine SUVs that were claimed to be carrying weapons and explosives at the Libyan border.

On its own Facebook page, the Egyptian military noted that “Today 21 August 2017 … the Egyptian Air Force destroyed 9 cars with arms, ammunition and explosives on the western border with Libya.”

There are no known public reports of civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Egyptian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Egyptian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Egyptian Military
  • Egyptian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Egyptian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ052

Incident date

July 16, 2017

Location

الحدود الليبية المصرية, Libyan-Egyptian border, Butnan, Libya

Geolocation

29.3223255, 24.7302246 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Egyptian airstrikes targeted 15 vehicles reportedly loaded with weapons near the border with Libya as they attempted to enter Egypt.

According to Egyptian military sources cited by Libya’s Channel, “Egyptian armed forces have carried out military operations during the twenty-four last hour, building intelligence information, according to the gathering of a number of criminal elements to infiltrate from the western border to Egypt using a number of SUVs.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Egyptian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Egyptian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Egyptian Military
  • Egyptian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Egyptian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]