Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

Lib2011-088

Incident date

May 4, 2011

Location

مخيم اللاجئين في قصر أحمد, Refugee Camp in Qasr Ahmed, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.344133, 15.198531 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family was reportedly killed by Gaddafi regime forces artillery shelling of Misurata.

Al Jazeera said at the time: “Libya’s revolutionaries said that yesterday’s bombing of the Gaddafi Brigades targeted the port of Misrata in western Libya, leaving at least five civilians dead, at a time when an official at the International Criminal Court spoke of documentation proving the occurrence of thousands of deaths in this country, amid Western calls to fund the rebels using frozen assets. The spokesman for the rebels, Jalal al-Jalal, speaking in Benghazi, said that the number of victims of the bombing of the Misrata port could be much greater.”

In a later report, Jazeera said seven civilians had been killed.

Reuters reported: “A rescue ship evacuated about 800 injured migrants, journalists, and Libyans from the port of Misrata, which witnessed heavy bombing operations, but was forced to leave quickly, leaving hundreds of desperate civilians behind.

The ship (Red Star One) carried out the sixth marine rescue mission assigned by the International Organization for Migration from the besieged city after it was prevented for five days by bombing operations and the presence of mines.

‘The head of the organization’s team on board the ship, Othman Belbeisi, said that hundreds of Libyan civilians also sought to board the ship in a desperate attempt to exit Misurata,’ the organization said in a statement.

The ship carried about 700 immigrants, about 20 journalists, and up to 50 injured Libyan civilians and their families from Misrata, the last major city in western Libya under the control of the opposition, which is under constant siege by forces loyal to the leader Muammar Gaddafi.

‘The heavy bombardment of Misurata, in addition to the mines that were laid, prevented the ship of the International Organization for Migration from berthing for five days,’ the statement said.”

A video of the aftermath was posted by miusrata17miusrata showing four body bags. The caption reads: “Filmed just after the attack on Qasr Ahmed on May 5. Refugee camp in the vicinity was also hit. An Nigerian family, 2 adults and 2 children, were killed”

Amnesty International later found: “Several migrants were killed as they waited at Misratah port to be evacuated by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) when Grad rockets struck the temporary refugee camps where they were sheltering near the port.”

The NGO quoted one of the victims, Viva Emeka: “I was just at the port waiting for the ship to take us to safety, and holding my children, when an explosion rocked the port. I lost consciousness, and woke up to realize I lost everything.”

The father of the children was quoted saying: “Rockets exploded by our home so we fled and went to a Red Crescent tent camp near the port and were waiting for the IOM ship to evacuate us from Misratah. We were going to return to Nigeria, away from this war. It was 4 May and we had been waiting for the IOM ship for days when the rocket exploded near us.”

The incident occured at 00:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

1 years old male killed
0 years old female killed
38 years old female killed
32 years old male killed
29 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Video showing the aftermath of the incident
  • Viva Emeka, injured by Gaddafi forces shelling on Misurata on May 4th, 2011 (via Amnesty International)

Geolocation notes (5) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a refugee camp being struck in the vicinity of Qasr Ahmed (ميناء قصر أحمد). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to these exact coordinates: 32.344133, 15.198531.

  • Reports of the incident mention a refugee camp being struck in the vicinity of Qasr Ahmed (ميناء قصر أحمد). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the event down to an exact location.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Satellite imagery showing the distribution of buildings tagged in the material from sources.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged material from audio visual sources.

    Imagery:
    Freedom Group

  • Tagged material from audio visual sources.

    Imagery:
    Freedom Group

  • Tagged material from audio visual sources.

    Imagery:
    Freedom Group

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 7
  • (2 children1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-086

Incident date

May 3, 2011

Location

الرويسات, Al Ruwaisat, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.366517, 15.110012 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 3rd, 2011, Gaddafi forces reportedly bombed Misurata after NATO planes had left the area.

Al Jazeera said: “Fighting broke out between the rebels and the Gaddafi Brigades in the southern and eastern suburbs of Misrata, and the rebels said they repelled an attack by tanks belonging to the brigades.

Sources reported that 55 civilians were killed and wounded in battles since last night, and the sporadic shelling of the Ruwaisat area continued, in which warehouses of goods were burned.”

Another local source, Resistance Misurata, suggested that no civilians may in fact have been killed: “Thankfully, no news has been received so far about cases of wounded or martyrs among civilians as a result of the intermittent shelling of the terrorist forces on the city.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    55
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Al Ruwaisat (الرويسات) in the city of Misurata (مصراتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.366517, 15.110012. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Gaddafi Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    55
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-085

Incident date

May 5, 2011

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.374457, 15.087794 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 2nd 2011, multiple sources reported shelling on Misurata by Gaddafi forces, killing at least six and injuring dozens. It was unclear how many of those harmed were civilians or combatants.

Reuters wrote that about a hundred rockets had been fired into Misurata by Gaddafi forces.

According to Ahrar Libya : “A medical source in the city stated that ‘there are six dead and dozens of wounded,’ but he did not specify the number of civilians or military personnel killed. The port of Misurata, which is the only outlet for the transfer of humanitarian aid and weapons to this city, was subjected to violent bombardment by Gaddafi forces on Sunday, during which two of the rebels were killed, according to eyewitnesses.

“And medical sources reported that Nigerians and Egyptians were seriously injured after they happened to be among hundreds of African refugees in a camp near the port when it was bombed. A medical source said that “there is not enough information yet about the refugees,” expressing his fear that the number of victims will be greater.”

Other sources published similar reports.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–12
  • 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
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–6
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–12

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The video shows a young boy at the Misrata Red Cresent Center in Abad, dated on May 5th, 2011.
  • Civilian or militant allegedly injured by Gaddafi forces shelling on Misurata on May 2nd, 2011 (via Trayes Misurata)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Misurata (مصراتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.374457, 15.087794. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Gaddafi Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–12
  • 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
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–6
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–12

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-084

Incident date

May 1, 2011

Location

كرزاز, Kerzaz, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.300918, 15.088863 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 1st-6th, 2011, Ahour Abdullah and his son Yusef were found dead in Kerzaz, the eastern front of Misurata, suspected to be from Gaddafi forces. A Facebook post from “Misrata Today” reported their deaths, confirmed by Amnesty.

Amnesty reports “On 6 May, the bodies of ‘Ashour al-Tifl and his son Yousef were found in Misratah’s Kerzaz neighbourhood, which had been controlled by al-Gaddafi forces until two days earlier.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

male

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Kerzaz neighborhood (كرزاز) in the district of Misurata (مصراتة). The generic coordinates for this neighbourhood are: 32.300918, 15.088863. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Kerzaz (كرزاز) in the district of Misurata (مصراتة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-082

Incident date

April 30, 2011

Location

جالو, Jallo Oasis, Al Wahat, Libya

Geolocation

29.046464, 21.516349 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On April 30th, 2011, Gaddafi forces entered the Jallo Oasis, reportedly killing six civilians and four rebels.

According to Agence France-Presse, 66 cars arrived from the south of the Oasis, killing one civilian at a bakery and five more civilian workers during the attack.

Al Jazeera quoted a rebel spokesman, also describing the six civilian deaths.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Jallo (جالو) Oasis area, for which the generic coordinates are: 29.046464, 21.516349. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Gaddafi Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-083

Incident date

April 30, 2011

Location

مصراتة, MIsrata, Misrata, Libya

Geolocation

32.374457, 15.087794 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On April 30th, 2011, Gaddafi forces shelling of Misrata led to the reported killing of two people and left 17 others injured.

According to Al Jazeera, “A number of Libyan civilians and rebels were killed and wounded as a result of the continued bombardment by Gaddafi Brigades of the city of Misurata with rockets and mortars. Some of the injured were taken to Al Mahjoub clinic outside Misrata, and some of the injured lost their limbs. A medical source at the main city hospital explained to the island that the bombing had left two dead and 17 wounded.

Al Jazeera is the only known public source now available, and it remains unclear how many deaths and injuries were of civilians or rebels.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–17

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Misurata (مصراتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.374457, 15.087794. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Gaddafi Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–17

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-080

Incident date

April 29, 2011

Location

الغيران, Ghiran, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.350541, 15.032818 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to six civilians were reported injured by shelling from Gaddafi regime forces in Ghiran near Misurata.

A video posted by Ismail Abdulla shows various civilians being treated in hospital for injuries said to have been sustained from the shelling.

There is currently no further known public information available relating to this event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other, Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The video showing the victims of the alleged attack

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Ghiran (الغيران), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.350541, 15.032818. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Gaddafi Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other, Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-077

Incident date

April 25, 2011

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.374457, 15.087794 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On April 25th, 2011, Gaddafi forces shelled Misurata at dawn, firing over 40 rockets.

Al Jazeera reported that 12 civilians were killed in the attack and a further 57 injured , according to a rebel spokesman.

Airwars has to date been unable to identify additional sources in relation to this event.

The incident occured around dawn.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • Civilians reported injured
    57
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Misurata (مصراتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.374457, 15.087794. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Gaddafi Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    12
  • Civilians reported injured
    57
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other

Sources (1) [ collapse]