News

News

Published

April 8, 2022

Written by

Sanjana Varghese

International gathering brings nearer a protocol on restricting explosive weapon use in urban areas.

States edged closer to a political declaration on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas on April 8th, after three days of crunch talks in Geneva.

More than 65 states descended on the Swiss city for key talks on the wording of a political declaration that advocates believe would save thousands of lives by restricting the use of wide area effect explosive weapons in populated areas (EWIPA). Detractors, such as the United States government, argue it would unfairly limit the freedom of their own military actions and have threatened not to sign.

While no final text was agreed upon Friday, all sides struck an optimistic tone at the end of the three-day meet – saying a deal was nearer than ever. Delegates will meet again for one day in two months before an adoption ceremony expected in the summer.

“There are clearly differences of opinion but we have seen a very positive, solution oriented approach,” the chairperson, Ambassador Michael Gaffey of Ireland, said. “We are not simply working on a formula of words in a political declaration –  we want to make a real difference and impact on the ground and foster behavioural change.”

The talks were given additional urgency by the ongoing war in Ukraine, and Russia’s extensive use of explosive weapons on its cities. Moscow did not attend the talks.

Even the United States, widely viewed as one of the most hostile states to a declaration with teeth, struck a more positive tone than in previous meets. “There are still tough drafting issues and decisions ahead, and we have to get them right. The US delegation pledges our goodwill, to help to get to a positive outcome. We look forward to doing so.”

Since 2018, Ireland has chaired consultations on the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. In the sessions since, the need for such a declaration – which is not legally binding and so does not create new legal obligations – has only become clearer.

“The draft declaration text holds the potential to make a meaningful contribution to the protection of civilians, and negotiations over the past few days have overall been constructive,” Laura Boillot of INEW, a network of NGOs pushing for the protocol, told Airwars.

“But decisions will now need to be made if the final text is going to have humanitarian effect. Most importantly it needs to establish a presumption against the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in towns, cities and other populated areas.”

It will be a failure to leave this room agreeing that simply restating existing laws will reduce civilian harm – a failure for all of us who came here with the intention to reduce that harm in the first place." @alma_osta in HI concluding remarks at #EWIPA negotiations today. pic.twitter.com/pTKpgfqWWU

— HI_Advocacy (@HI_Advocacy) April 8, 2022

Civil society groups and international agencies made a strong case for restricting EWIPA.

Three days of consultations

During three days of focused talks, several key fissures bubbled. While states in attendance – and civil society organisations – repeatedly emphasised the shared desire to produce a tangible and meaningful political declaration that could help save civilian lives on the ground, the practicalities of the process made clear that good intentions weren’t going to be enough.

On the first day of the informal consultations on April 6th, states made general remarks – affirming their support for the proceedings as well as their national positions – after an introductory statement from Ireland, the penholder.

In these general remarks, most states tended towards re-affirming the positions they had made clear in previous negotiations. On the hawkish side, the UK, US, Israel and Canada all emphasized that their positions as militarily active states meant that they would not sign a declaration in its current form, which included strong language about avoiding the use of explosive weapons in urban areas. Throughout the week, the delegates from these countries could often be seen meeting as a bloc outside of formal proceedings.

Many of the sticking points that emerged on the first day continued to dominate both the main floor and side conversations. The predominant line of argument was between those who argued that the declaration needed only to reaffirm the importance of international humanitarian law and provide further guidance about how to do so in this context; and those who asserted that this declaration needed to strengthen existing commitments and add new ones for states around the use of explosive weapons.

The second day of discussions took a more technical turn, with the majority of interventions focused on the wording of specific clauses and paragraphs of the text.

Clause 3.3, which attracted much attention in previous consultations, was once  again hotly debated. It is one of the first clauses in Section B, the operative section – which lays out the actions that states have to comply with if they choose to sign onto the declaration.

In the current draft, Clause 3.3 says states must: “Ensure that our armed forces adopt and implement a range of policies and practices to avoid civilian harm, including by restricting or refraining from the use of explosive weapons with wide area effects in populated areas, when the effects may be expected to extend beyond a military objective.”

The bulk of the discussion around this clause was on the second sentence, as many states intervened on the use of “restricting or refraining,” with some suggesting it was strong enough while others lobbied instead for the use of “avoid”.

A split between the majority of civil society organisations and militarily-powerful states was apparent during these parts of the discussions, with NGOs and international agencies pushing for stronger language, rather than trying to place limits on what kinds of civilian harm would be protected under this new declaration.

Airwars’ incoming director and current head of research Emily Tripp also made an intervention – emphasising how crucial it was for states to actually track civilian harm.

Airwars’ incoming director Emily Tripp addresses a UN-backed conference on explosive weapons in Geneva on April 7th, 2022 (Image: Airwars)

At the end of day two INEW, one of the organisers, named nine states – Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Israel, the Republic of Korea, Sweden, Turkey, the United Kingdom and the United States – that it said had “worked to weaken declaration provisions.” The UK delegation, for example, agreed that tracking civilian harm was a ‘moral obligation,’ but then highlighted ways in which it claimed this was not feasible – arguing that live hostilities made it near impossible to monitor casualties properly.

But INEW also said that there had been a “shift in the collective tone set by states since the last round of negotiations, with more governments explicitly committed to strengthening the protection of civilians through the declaration.”

The statement said this was likely as a response to the bombing of Ukrainian towns and cities, and the Ukraine crisis loomed large over the conflict. Not only did the majority of states open their remarks with condemnation of the Russian aggression in Ukraine, many also emphasised the importance of a meaningful political declaration with specific reference to Ukrainian cities and towns such as Mariupol, Bucha and Khrarkiv.

There was also an emphasis on the value of protecting civilian objects and infrastructure, such as schools and hospitals, with states such as Mexico and the delegate for the Holy See (which holds observer state) urging specific language around the need to protect hospitals, blood transfusion centres, and environmental and religious sites.

Speaking at the end of the latest talks, Ambassador Gaffey said Ireland and organisers would review the submissions from all parties before a month or two of further work on the text. He said states and NGOs would then hold a final one-day consultation in a couple of months, before a political adoption ceremony where states would declare their support for the text.

As Alma Taslidžan Al-Osta, of Humanity and Inclusion, noted in her own concluding remarks to delegates: “Eleven years in Syria, seven years in Yemen and over a month in Ukraine have taught us that explosive weapons with wide area effects should not be used in towns, cities and populated areas. The status quo is no longer an option.”

Civilians increasingly bear the brunt of modern conflicts. Addressing the devastating harm to civilians from Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas is a priority for 🇮🇪. We welcome states, international organisations and civil society to consultations in Geneva this week #EWIPA pic.twitter.com/pAyglwZO9D

— Disarmament IRELAND (@DisarmamentIRL) April 6, 2022

Ireland chaired Geneva talks on restricting urban use of explosive weapons

▲ The three-day EWIPA conference in Geneva sought to reach a deal on the use of explosive weapons in urban environments (Airwars)

Published

September 2020

Written by

Oliver Imhof

Header Image

Civilian casualty situation at the beginning of the LNA's Tripoli offensive on April 4th, 2019

Two months after the brutal siege of Libya’s capital ended, new interactive Airwars mapping shows the impact of 14 months of fighting between two rival governments on the city’s beleaguered civilians.

Airwars has visualised every allegation of civilian harm from air and artillery strikes during the period of war in and around Tripoli between April 2019 and June 2020. Glasgow-based consultants Rectangle designed the innovative mapping, in an effort to find fresh ways of visualising civilian harm on the modern battlefield.

The new Airwars mapping uses a sliding timeline to enable an overview of often indiscriminate air and artillery strikes on Tripoli and its suburbs. A fine-detail satellite map of Tripoli and its suburbs makes it possible to see the siege evolving over the 14 months of its duration.

The map utilises a 1km radius hexagonal system, whose height represents the number of civilians reported killed in an incident. This in turn enables users to see the extent of shelling on various neighbourhoods, with casualty spikes clearly revealed in heavily hit areas such as Salaheddin, Abu Salim and Tajoura. The new mapping can also be used as a portal to access individual civilian harm assessments on the Airwars website.

Lizzie Malcolm and Daniel Powers of design consultancy Rectangle explain their rationale behind the new approach: “The challenge of mapping and visualising civilian harm is to balance the presentation of aggregated information and individual details. Maps of large areas and timelines of conflicts are useful for understanding scale. But any visualisation should be a gateway to the evidence and stories about individuals and families,” they tell Airwars.

Over the course of the siege, Airwars recorded 339 civilian harm events in Libya, 197 of which around Tripoli, nearly tripling the number of locally reported incidents since the end of the NATO campaign in 2011. At least 197 civilians were killed by the violence and another 537 were injured by the violence, as the LNA and GNA fought for control of Tripoli.

The LNA’s Tripoli offensive introduced Libyans to a degree of conflict violence not seen since NATO’s intervention almost a decade earlier. Even when the conflict was over, LNA forces and Wagner mercenaries reportedly booby-trapped houses and planted landmines, leading to gruesome additional reports of killed and injured civilians.

The siege of Tripoli has previously been visualised by other organisations, though not via an interactive map. UN agency OCHA has for example provided infographics summing up their findings. And Dzsihad Hadelli has previously visualised Airwars data on civilian casualties for the Libya Observer.

https://twitter.com/dhadelli/status/1246883657148661761

Is justice possible?

Mapping and recording harm in conflicts can help both with the proper investigation of civilian casualties, and of possible war crimes – potentially leading to reconciliation and justice in those parts of society affected by the fighting. “There is no way out of this without people being held accountable,“ says Elham Saudi, Director of Lawyers for Justice in Libya.

Her organisation seeks to document violations of humanitarian and human rights law in Libya, in turn hoping for accountability. “If you’re aiming for criminal responsibility, the threshold is really high. First hand accounts and witnesses are the most important thing,“ Saudi explains. Establishing the chain of command that leads to an event in question is another crucial point, she adds.

As a former resident of Tripoli suburbs, Saudi knows from friends and family what the siege did to Tripoli’s population: “The impact was felt throughout the city, the fear and anticipation of being targeted was quite overwhelming – even if you didn’t live in the areas being targeted, because of the indiscriminate nature of the attacks. You always felt like you were a target.”

However, her organisation does not focus only upon recent events around Tripoli but investigates violations committed in the civil war across the country. The highly polarised political landscape poses an additional challenge, as activists and media in Libya are often affiliated with one of the parties to the conflict: “The hyper-politicisation of everything makes it very difficult to keep the distance from what’s being said in the media. I don’t disregard anything just because it belongs to a certain party.”

“Things get lost if you don’t preserve evidence in a conflict. Preserving evidence is absolutely vital, it’s not just about the present but also about the future for civil society,“ the lawyer elaborates. Social media plays an increasing role there as “Perpetrators help you because they incriminate themselves.“

Mahmoud Werfalli’s arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court, for example, was based on social media accounts of extrajudicial killings. The former LNA commander is accused of executing ten prisoners in Benghazi in 2018, a case that was widely documented on social networks – as are many cases of potential war crimes in Libya.

At this point it remains difficult to predict which alleged incidents might potentially bear fruit in court. War crimes were alleged on both sides of the conflict. “The US is promising because Haftar, as a US citizen, is subject to its jurisdiction; it also allows for individuals to pursue civil responsibility,” Saudi says. Three civil lawsuits attempting to do that have been filed in the US for example, whereby affected families are suing the General for compensation for his alleged responsibility in the deaths of family members as a result of the indiscriminate shelling of Tripoli neighbourhoods by his forces.

Links to individual case assessments that occurred in the Salaheddin neighbourhood of Tripoli

Bringing Libyans back to the negotiations table

Even as the search for accountability continues, rifts remain deep within Libyan society after so many years of civil war. The big question is: how might Libya finally find a way towards a peaceful future?

A pause in fighting between Libya’s rival camps might be expected to generate optimism in a country riven by intermittent civil war since 2011. But instead of improving the livelihoods of the population, both seem keen to return to the status quo that partly led to the siege of Tripoli in the first place. Infighting within both the Government of National Accord (GNA) and the Libyan National Army (LNA); profound economic problems; and deep distrust between all the main political actors, make a peaceful future more uncertain.

Recently popular protests erupted in both GNA- and LNA-controlled territories, that were in turn met with violence by both governments. At the same time, a new military build-up around Sirte has raised fears of another escalation in violence – while a dire economic situation exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic has pushed the population into ever deeper poverty.

Virginie Collombier, Professor of Social and Political Dynamics in Libya at the European University Institute of Florence, has been working on grassroots mediation processes led by Libyans for many years. She sees the first step to a lasting ceasefire taking place at the international level – getting countries now meddling in Libya to respect the commitments they made during the Berlin peace conference: “The aim of the mediation process is to find someone who has the capacities to provide guarantees and enforce things. The UN can’t do anything alone as we see; and the EU doesn’t have the capacities or willingness.“

“Who has the capacities to influence things on the ground: Russia? Turkey?“ Collombier asks.  Neither seems a likely candidate given the ongoing geopolitical struggle between these two states: “Most importantly [there is] the US, but will they work as a guarantor on broader issues related to the economy, and the political framework?“

The current stalemate may however make things easier, Professor Collombier believes: “There is clearly a sense of exhaustion, the meaning of the war is lost, which is something we can see on both sides of the divide.“ She adds: “There is not much we can achieve through violence and weapons, the situation has stabilised around two camps that can block each other.“

However, internal divisions in both the GNA and in Haftar’s camp show that the situation could turn violent again if issues are not resolved. Collombier stresses the need for a dialogue that includes all Libyans, beyond the GNA and LNA: “Voices of Libyans can be heard and put pressure on politics; and diversifying the political sphere is absolutely crucial. There is a need for alternative voices and leaders. There is deep distrust in the current political elite.”

Whatever the result of both reconciliation and accountability processes in Libya, there is a long way ahead for the country to finally find peace. Documenting and archiving the crimes committed during the civil war is only an initial step towards accountability that can then lead to reconciliation between former enemies.

▲ Civilian casualty situation at the beginning of the LNA's Tripoli offensive on April 4th, 2019

Incident date

June 10, 2020

Incident Code

LC419

LOCATION

الساعدية, Al Sa'adeh, Tarabulus, Libya

Libya Al Ahrar reported that “the remains of a citizen were found in a civilian car, likely hit by a missile attack in the Al Sa’adeh area by the Haftar militia at the beginning of its aggression on the capital.” Also Burkan Al Ghadab Operation page posted the news saying that “Al-Jafara Security Directorate members

Summary

First published
June 10, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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 belligerent
Libyan National Army
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

June 6, 2020

Incident Code

LC414

LOCATION

جنوب سرت, South of Sirte, Surt, Libya

Ten civilians, including two children, were allegedly killed by GNA or Turkish drone strike 50km south of Sirte. Libyan Crimes Watch reported: “Today, Saturday, June 6, at 2am GNA forces bombed civilian cars 50 km south of Sirte, which were receiving displaced families from Tarhuna, and the shelling killed ten (10) civilians, including two children,

Summary

First published
June 6, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
10
(2 children2 women1 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 belligerents
Government of National Accord, Turkish Military
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

June 3, 2020

Incident Code

LC413

LOCATION

طريق المنارة, Al Manara Road, Tarabulus, Libya

Between 12 and 20 civilians were allegedly killed by a GNA or Turkish airstrike on Qasr Bin Gashir. Al Marsad said: “A Turkish aircraft committed a massacre late yesterday, Wednesday, against the family of Al-Lafi, including women and children, in the Qasr Bin Gashir area, south of Tripoli, specifically in the Al-Manara area. Muhammad al-Lafi,

Summary

First published
June 3, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
12 – 20
Civilians reported injured
5–10
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 belligerents
Government of National Accord, Turkish Military
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
12 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

June 1, 2020

Incident Code

LC411

LOCATION

قصر بن غشير, Qasr Bin Gashir, Tarabulus, Libya

An unknown number of civilians was killed and injured in alleged GNA and Turkish shelling on residential areas of Qasr Bin Ghashir on June 1st, 2020, according to local sources. At least one child was among the victims. According to Khamis Al Sheikhi, “the Capital randomly targeted residential neighbourhoods in the centre of Qasr Bin

Summary

First published
June 1, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Government of National Accord, Turkish Military
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 31, 2020

Incident Code

LC410

LOCATION

حي الاندلس, Hay Al Andalus, Tarabulus, Libya

Up to seven civilians were allegedly killed and up to twelve injured by indiscrimiante shelling on the Souq Al Talata area of Tripoli. The Field Medicine and Support Center said three were killed and 11 injured. The GNA-led Burkan Al Ghadab operation posted that five were killed and eight injured, one of which a child

Summary

First published
May 31, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 5
(1 woman2 men)
Civilians reported injured
8–12
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
14 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 30, 2020

Incident Code

LC409

LOCATION

قصر بن غشير, Qasr Bin Gashir, Tarabulus, Libya

One civilian was allegedly injured by indiscriminate artillery shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir. Tarhuna 24 said: “Citizen Hamza Al-Barghouth was wounded by shrapnel as a result of a missile landing in Qasr Bin Gashir area, which has been under heavy bombardment for more than a week.” Tk Yahroug Kl shy only reported heavy artillery shelling

Summary

First published
May 30, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 28, 2020

Incident Code

LC408

LOCATION

وادي الربيع, Wadi al Rabie, Tarabulus, Libya

One paramedic was allegedly killed by shelling or gunshots in Wadi al Rabie. The Field Medicine and Support Center said: “The Field Medicine and Support Center mourns with great sadness and sorrow the death of our colleague, Dr. Hammam Abu Bakr Hamid, of the field hospital, Tajoura, as a result of him being targeted while

Summary

First published
May 28, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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 belligerents
Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 20, 2020

Incident Code

LC404

LOCATION

الحمرونية, Al Hamrouniya, Tarabulus, Libya

Several civilians were allegedly injured by GNA shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir. Akhbar Libya 24 said: “An informed source revealed that members of one family and another person were injured as a result of the fall of artillery shells of the Al-Wefaq [GNA] forces, in a random manner, on residential neighborhoods in the Qasr Bin

Summary

First published
May 20, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
3–4
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Government of National Accord
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

May 19, 2020

Incident Code

LC403

LOCATION

بئر التوتة, Bi'r Altota, Tarabulus, Libya

Four civilians were allegedly injured by GNA artillery shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir. Alsaaa24 said: “Eyewitnesses reported that the heavy artillery shelling did not stop since the morning hours on the Bi’r Altota area and the Sharif Hotel in Qasr Bin Gashir by Syrian mercenaries and armed militias loyal to the ‘Government of Reconciliation’. They

Summary

First published
May 19, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
4
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 belligerent
Government of National Accord
View Incident

Incident date

May 16, 2020

Incident Code

LC400

LOCATION

ميدان الاربعة شوارع, 4 Streets Square, Tarabulus, Libya

One civilian was allegedly injured by shelling on the Hadaba area of Tripoli. Tk Yahrouq Kl shy wrote: “A shell landed in the 4 streets Al Haddad in the Hadaba area, and a civilian was wounded by shrapnel.” There is currently no further information available. Reports of fighting in the area point at GNA or

Summary

First published
May 16, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
View Incident

Incident date

May 15, 2020

Incident Code

LC397

LOCATION

طرابلس‎: الفرناج, Tripoli: Al Fornaj, Tarabulus, Libya

Two civilians were allegedly injured by indiscrimiante shelling on the Fornaj neighbourhood of Tripoli. Hona Souq Al-Khmies reported: “Injury of 2 displaced people, one of whom was seriously injured, and he is now under operations.” Tk Yahroug Kl shy said that several shells landed in the area, including on the Savings and Real Estate Investment

Summary

First published
May 15, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

May 14, 2020

Incident Code

LC396

LOCATION

قصر بن غشير: سوق زاد الخير, Qasr Bin Gashir: Forsa Street, Tarabulus, Libya

One civilian was allegedly killed by GNA or Turkish shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir. Khamis Mahmoud Al Sheikhi said: “The capital, a random shell fired by the Erdogan militia fell near the Zad Al-Khair market in Qasr Bin Gashir, killing Fathi Al-Ghoula, may God have mercy on him.” Tk Yahroug Kl shy wrote: “He moved

Summary

First published
May 14, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
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 belligerents
Government of National Accord, Turkish Military
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 14, 2020

Incident Code

LC395

LOCATION

الشويرف, Ash Shwayrif, Al Jabal al Gharbi, Libya

Two civilians were reported killed in alleged Turkish drone attack on their car in Ash Shwayrif in Jabal al Gharbi in Libya on May 14th, according to local sources. The two men belong to the Mashashiya tribe. Libya 24 said that “Activists on social media reported that two young men from the Mashashiya tribe from

Summary

First published
May 14, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
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 belligerents
Turkish Military, Government of National Accord
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
2 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 11, 2020

Incident Code

LC391

LOCATION

الشويرف, Ash Shwayrif, Al Jabal al Gharbi, Libya

Several trucks were reportedly targeted in alleged GNA or Turkish airstrikes near Ash Shwayrif, Jabal Al Gharbi, on May 11th, 2020. One civilian was injured. Tarhouna24 wrote that Saleh Abu Ghribi, a water tanker truck driver, was injured in alleged Turkish airstrikes. “Men of Al Amamira Al Mujahida Clan” posted photos on Facebook of his severely damaged

Summary

First published
May 11, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
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.
Known belligerent
Government of National Accord
Suspected belligerent
Turkish Military
Known target
Other
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

May 9, 2020

Incident Code

LC387

LOCATION

صلاح الدين, Salaheddin, Tarabulus, Libya

One woman was alegedly killed and three civilians were injured by artillery shelling on the Salaheddin neighbourhood of Tripoli. The Field Medicine and Support Center listed the victim and said: “The ambulance team at the Salaheddin field hospital of the Field Medicine and Support Center assisted the family of Muammar Abdel Salam Shaaban at dawn

Summary

First published
May 10, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
3
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
4 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

May 3, 2020

Incident Code

LC377

LOCATION

بني وليد, Bani Walid, Misrata, Libya

Two civilians were allegedly killed by a GNA or Turkish drone strike near Bani Walid. Osama Olabidy tweeted that two young men from the Mashashiya tribe were killed while trying to selling to sell fuel in Bani Walid. In a previous tweet he said they were driving a Toyota Tundra. 218Tv wrote that “there were

Summary

First published
May 3, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 men)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Government of National Accord, Turkish Military
Named victims
2 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 29, 2020

Incident Code

LC375

LOCATION

أبو الغرب: محطة وقود نسيم الشروق, Naseem al Shorouk Gas Station, Al Jabal al Gharbi, Libya

Two civilians were allegedly killed by a GNA or Turkish airstrike near Abu Al Ghurab. The LNA media center said: “Two ambulances have been attacked, and two people inside died following a Turkish drone strike at 10 am, on Wednesday, 04/29/2020 The attack occurred in the Abu Al Ghurab area, inside the petrol station.” Libya

Summary

First published
April 29, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Government of National Accord, Turkish Military
Known target
LNA
View Incident

Incident date

April 28, 2020

Incident Code

LC372

LOCATION

الغضوية , قصر ابو هادي‎ , Al Ghudwiyah, Ra’s At Tabal , Al Jabal al Gharbi, Libya

Up to five civilians were killed and two others injured in an alleged GNA or Turkish drone attack on a civilian truck carrying boxes of bees in the Al-Ghudwiyah area near the entrance of Ra’s at Tabal, Nasmah, Libya on April 28th, 2020. The local sources also said the two injured civilians are in critical

Summary

First published
April 28, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Drone Strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 5
(4 men)
Civilians reported injured
2
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 belligerents
Government of National Accord, Turkish Military
Suspected target
LNA
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 24, 2020

Incident Code

LC368

LOCATION

ترهونة, Tarhuna, Marqab, Libya

One child was killed and other civilians injured by alleged GNA shelling on Tarhuna. Tk Yahroug Kl shy said: “Several Grad rockets hit the city of Tarhuna, causing civilian casualties.” Tarhuna 24 posted: “A cowardly bombardment with Grad rockets on the city of Tarhuna, killing one child and wounding others.” The Tarhuna Echo reported: “Shelling

Summary

First published
April 24, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
1–2
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 belligerent
Government of National Accord
View Incident

Incident date

April 24, 2020

Incident Code

LC367

LOCATION

عين زارة, Ain Zara, Tarabulus, Libya

Four civilians were allegedly injured by indiscriminate shelling on Ain Zara. The Field Medicine and Support Center said: “The field department of the University Hospital Tripoli, a field hospital affiliated to the Center for Field Medicine and Support, received, today, Saturday 25/4/2020, four cases of expatriate workers from the state of Niger as a result

Summary

First published
April 24, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
4
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
4 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 24, 2020

Incident Code

LC366

LOCATION

مشروع الموز, Banana project, Tarabulus, Libya

One civilian was allegedly killed by indiscriminate shelling near the Banana project in Tripoli. The Field Medicine and Support Center initially said he was injured: “The University Hospital in Tripoli also received Mohammed Anwar Al-Bahri, who suffered a neck injury, as a result of the fall of a random shell in Al-Sabaa area, behind Al-Jadida

Summary

First published
April 24, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
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 belligerents
Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 23, 2020

Incident Code

LC365

LOCATION

أربع شوارع زويته, Al Zuwaita Junction, Tarabulus, Libya

One civilian was allegedly killed by indiscriminate artillery selling on Ain Zara. Al Wasat wrote: “A spokesman for the ambulance and emergency services, Osama Ali, announced the death of a citizen as a result of a shrapnel wound when ‘shells fell on a house in Zuwita Street in Ain Zara’ in the capital, Tripoli, on

Summary

First published
April 23, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 3
(2 men)
Civilians reported injured
1–3
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
3 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 21, 2020

Incident Code

LC361

LOCATION

قصر بن غشير, Qasr Bin Gashir, Tarabulus, Libya

Two men and a child were killed when artillery shells by an unknown belligerent fell near their homes in Qasr Bin Ghashir, Tripoli district, on April 21st, 2020, according to local sources. Ramadan Al Shatwi died “after a random shell fell on his farm in Qasr Bin Gashir” on April 21st, according to Tk Yahrouq

Summary

First published
April 21, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child2 men)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Contested
Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
Suspected belligerents
Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
Suspected target
Unknown
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 16, 2020

Incident Code

LC347a

LOCATION

العزيزية‎, Aziziya, Tarabulus, Libya

One child was allegedly killed by indiscriminate shellong on Aziziya. Tk Yahroug Kl shy said: “The youth Ahmed Abdel-Qader Al-Busaifi died yesterday after a random shell fell on the Al-Aziziya area yesterday.” There is currently no further information available. Fighting in the area points at the GNA or LNA as the belligerent.

Summary

First published
April 16, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

April 13, 2020

Incident Code

LC344

LOCATION

سوق الجمعة , Souq Al Jumaa, Tarabulus, Libya

One civilian was allegedly injured by indiscriminate shelling on the Souq Al Jumaa area of Tripoli. Libya Alahrar TV said: “Aid and Emergency spokesperson, Osama Ali: A worker of African nationality was injured as a result of the shelling on the Friday Market.” Reports of fighting point at the GNA or LNA as the culprit.

Summary

First published
April 13, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
Unknown
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
View Incident

Incident date

April 13, 2020

Incident Code

LC343

LOCATION

جامع الحباشة, Al Habasha Mosque, Tarabulus, Libya

Civilian casualties were reported in the Shurfat Al Malaha neighbourhood of Tripoli. Libya Ambulance Services reported: “Shells fall on the balcony near the Al-Habasha Mosque and the Mergham dispensary leading to casualties. We will bring you details from the rescue and emergency teams there.” Tk Yahroug Kl shy published a carbon copy of the post.

Summary

First published
April 13, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
Civilians reported injured
1–2
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerents
Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
View Incident

Incident date

April 12, 2020

Incident Code

LC342

LOCATION

عين زارة, Ain Zara, Tarabulus, Libya

One child was allegedly killed and four more family member injured by indiscriminate shelling on Ain Zara. Hona Souq Al-Khmies reported: “Four missiles landed in Ain Zara on the family home of Mr. Karim Al-Izmrli, a 9-year-old child died and the rest of the family members are in the intensive care” Tk Yahroug Kl shy

Summary

First published
April 12, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
4
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 11, 2020

Incident Code

LC341

LOCATION

تينيناي, Tininai, Misrata, Libya

One or two paramedics were allegedly killed in a GNA or Turkish drone strike near Tininai. The Libya Ambulance Services said: “The colleague Muhammad Ali Al-Houti of the rescue and emergency team of the Misrata and Misrata branch was martyred due to an airstrike that hit the ambulances. It is reported that he is considered

Summary

First published
April 11, 2020
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1 – 2
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerents
Government of National Accord, Unknown
Named victims
1 named
View Incident