Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

LC028

Incident date

March 18, 2016

Location

شواطئ بنغازي, Benghazi Shoreline, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.070429, 20.0019836 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The LNA targeted a marine trailer reportedly carrying 10 tanks, 3 containers of ammunition and a number of vehicles off the shores of Benghazi at around 03:00 according to its Facebook page.

In an apparent maritime version of a double tap strike, the LNA further reported that other boats then tried to save the people on the trailer but suggests that its planes struck them before they arrived: “As for the individuals on board of the vessels, three boats tried to rescue them in a desperate attempt to rescue them but the eagles of the air were on time and waiting for them.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A video published by LNA that shows footage of several airstrikes conducted in Benghazi (Source: LAN media)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the shoreline of Benghazi (بنغازي‎) city. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Benghazi are: 32.070429, 20.0019836.

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC027

Incident date

March 15, 2016

Location

الهواري, Al-Hawary, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.013102, 20.126642 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The LNA posted a video of a helicopter squadron targeting alleged terrorists. The video depicts people caught in explosions, and vehicles and buildings suffering damage.

However the combatant status of those hit is unclear.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention airstrikes in the Al Hawary (الهواري) neighborhood of Benghazi (بنغازي). After investigating visual material from sources, we narrowed this location down to a mosque northwest of the cement factory, the exact coordinates for which are: 32.013102, 20.126642.

  • Image showing helicopter airstrike targeting mosque near cement factory.

    Imagery:
    Ansar Al-Sharia

  • Satellite image showing mosque targeted by airstrike in previous image.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ026

Incident date

March 9, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Libya

Airwars assessment

The LNA reported that it destroyed two sea vessels West of Benghazi near Al Jawhara resort. The statement says that the boats belonged to the Derna Shura Council and were carrying ‘fighters and ammunition’. In addition, the LNA launched strikes on reported positions of the terrorist militias in Qawarsheh and the perimeter of the cement factory in Hawari.

The status of any civilian crews on the vessels is presently unknown. 

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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army 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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ025a

Incident date

February 24, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.136111, 20.078889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The LNA launched “accurate” airstrikes against terrorist militias in Qawarsheh and Sabri according to their Facebook page.

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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army 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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ025

Incident date

February 10, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Jawhara Resort, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

31.992496, 19.971215 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

LNA and various sources reported that it targeted ‘terrorists strongholds’ in Sidi Faraj, Al-Laithi, Bouatni and Garyounis, near Nabous Square. It also hit a vessel 40 km off the Coast. According to Al Wasat, the vessel was loaded with ammunition. According to the LNA’s official site, “A Libyan Arab air force fighter on Wednesday targeted a dredger/vessel west of the city of Benghazi at a distance of 40 km from the coast after the radar system detected it. It was targeted at 6:30 pm. The smoke rose from the dredger/vessel after being targeted, and fire lit the ammunition.”

The fate of any civilian crew on board the boat is unknown.

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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A video whos the moment of the military aircraft bombard in al-Lithi district in Benghazi (Source: Libya's Channel)

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army 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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ024

Incident date

February 8, 2016

Location

درنة‎, Derna, Libya

Geolocation

32.757426, 22.637601 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A Libyan Air Force MIG-23 was shot down in the Sidi Khalid area, 35 km West of Derna, after conducting airstrikes in Derna according to various sources. Apparently, the plane had shelled the 400 neighbourhoods in retaliation for the killing of civilians on February 7th.

The Libya Observer reported that the Derna Shura Council, which had been targeted by the plane, downed it. The pilot Younis Al-Dinali made it out alive. He claimed that the jet crashed due to a technical malfunction.

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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A video shows A Libyan Air Force MIG-23 that was shot down in the Sidi Khalid area

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army 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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ023

Incident date

January 31, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Leithi, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.094722, 20.1275 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

LNA reported that it carried out intensive airstrikes against ISIS targets in the Sabri, Bouatni, Al-Leithi, Hawari and Qawarsheh areas of Benghazi.

However, despite the intensive attacks there were no known local 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
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army 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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ022

Incident date

January 12, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Power plant, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.202222, 20.133611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The LNA reported that it conducted airstrikes against ISIS in Benghazi. The Air Force targeted a field hospital and an ammuniton store in Sidi Faraj, a camp in Garyounis, ISIS centres in Sabri and Al-Leithi and various vehicles at the axis of the Safsafa project.

An UNSMIL report later noted that a power plant had been hit by an airstrike, and condemned the action against civilian infrastructure.

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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army 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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (2) [ collapse]