Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

LC015

Incident date

March 24, 2015

Location

ام الرشراش, Umm Al Rashrash, Murqub, Libya

Geolocation

32.2891782, 13.6329552 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An LNA airstrike reportedly hit a Libya Dawn camp in Tarhuna. While most sources reported no civilians and only a few Libya Dawn fighters dead, two sources said that eight internally displaced Tawergha were killed in the attack.

Middle East Eye quoted a Libya Dawn spokesperson: “Eight Libyan civilians died in the strike. Sadly this is their strategy, to kill civilians and claim to the international community that they are after weapons.”

According to Akhbar, a refugee camp was struck and not a weapons depot. The source reported that “a plane of Libyan-backed forces loyal to the Libyan government launched a raid on the town of Tarhouna near Tripoli, which it said targeted a weapons depot. But but the controlling government in the capital said it had hit a refugee camp and killed eight civilians.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation: Dozens of people were killed after the air force bombed the sites of Dawn of Libya in Tarhona (Source: @wady_dynar)
  • Translation: # Libya: Two people killed in aerial bombardment of aircraft # Haftar on the town of Tarhona southeast of # Tripoli (Source: @almokhtsar)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention an airstrike targeting the Umm Al Rashrash (ام الرشراش)  area south of Tarhuna (ترهونة), Libya, for which the generic coordinates are: 32.2891782, 13.6329552. Based on the limited information and satellite imagery available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    8
  • 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 (28) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC014a

Incident date

March 14, 2015

Location

العسة, Al Assah, Nuqat al Khums, Libya

Geolocation

32.826944, 11.635 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man was reported killed in an alleged LNA airstrike on Al Assah near Zuwara.

Zuwara News wrote on Facebook that “an aeroplane just hit the Al Assah area and resulted in the death of one man from Misurata and wounding six of the sons of our beloved city.”

Fssato91 reported: “Pray for Alaa Belkhair from Zuwara and all the wounded.”

Rawadfree1 claimed that the LNA used cluster bombs in the attacks and posted pictures of bomblets.

Other sources also reported LNA strikes in the area but didn’t mention civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Alaa Belkhair,
Adult male Via @fssato91 killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Translation: One Killed and others injured in an aerial bombardment by the Karama forces on the Aasah area near the city of Zuwara. # Libya
  • Translation: Dozens of small-scale unexploded bomblets believed to be cluster after the bombing of Haftar in Zuwara yesterday, the media center found (Source: @rawadfree1)
  • Another picture of the munitions (via rawadfree1)
  • Another picture of the munitions (via rawadfree1)
  • Another picture of the munitions (via rawadfree1)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Assah (العسة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.826944, 11.635. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ006

Incident date

January 14, 2015

Location

بنغازي‎, port, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.110556, 20.043889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Various sources reported that the LNA warplane attacked a trawler allegedly loaded with gasoline outside Benghazi. There were no reports of civilian harm.

According to Sky News, a military official said that a Libyan aircraft belonging to the internationally recognised government (HoR) attacked a fishing boat carrying a shipment of gasoline to the port of Benghazi this week after suspected of carrying supplies to militants.

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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (4) [ 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC013

Incident date

January 5, 2015

Location

درنة‎: ميناء درنه, Derna Port, Derna, Libya

Geolocation

32.7798944, 22.70505 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

GNC planes allegedly bombed a Greek oil tanker killing a Greek engine cadet and a Romanian seaman on board, according to local media. Two Filipinos aboard were injured according to The Telegraph. Shorouk News reported a third person had been wounded.

The Telegraph provided significant details on the event, reporting that a 29-year old Greek engine cadet and unidentified Romanian seamen were killed when a rocket exploded on the deck of the ARAEVO, owned by Athens-based Aegean Shipping Management. Two Filipino nationals were also injured aboard the vessel, which was carrying 12,600 tones of crude oil when it was hit. Military officials allied with Libya’s internationally recognised government told Reuters the vessel had been warned not to enter the port and claimed it had been transporting Islamist militants to the city of Derna. But Libya’s National Oil Company said the tanker had only been delivering fuel and claimed that the relevant authorities had been informed of its arrival.

While most sources blamed the GNC for the attack, Erem News reported that the LNA was responsible for the raid, quoting their Major Mohammed Hijazi a number of our military officials directed our warnings, not to approach the ports of cities controlled by the Fajr of Libya and its loyalists, and that any piece of marine will become a legitimate target of the air force.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Libyan National Army, General National Congress (GNC)

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an airstrike targeting an oil tanker five kilometers off the coast of Derna’s port (درنة‎). After investigating visual material from sources, we narrowed this location down to 32.7798944, 22.70505.

  • Reports of the incident mention an airstrike targeting an oil tanker five kilometers off the coast of Derna’s port (درنة‎)

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Libyan National Army Assessment:

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

General National Congress (GNC) Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    General National Congress (GNC)
  • General National Congress (GNC) position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Libyan National Army, General National Congress (GNC)

Sources (17) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC012

Incident date

January 3, 2015

Location

ميناء السدرة, Port Sidra, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

30.6371656, 18.334976 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alwasat reported armed clashes around the port of Sidra between fighters guarding the oil ports and the LNA which were accompanied by three LNA airstrikes.

Alfakhiri claimed on Twitter that two children were killed in the attack but didn’t add further details.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention an airstrike targeting near Sidra Port (ميناء السدرة) in Libya’s Sirte District (سرت‎). The generic coordinates for Sidra Port are: 30.6371656, 18.334976. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC011

Incident date

January 3, 2015

Location

مصراتة: مصراتة ميناء, Misurata Port, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.3610975, 15.2204999 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to various sources, LNA jets struck different positions in Misurata’s port, resulting in the injury of two civilians – reportedly employees at the port.

Al Jazeera reported: The forces of the retired Libyan brigade General, Khalifa Haftar, announced responsibility for air strikes on the western port of Misurata on Saturday claiming that it was used for ‘terrorist purposes. We have repeated more than once that if the port of Misurata becomes a danger, we will shell it, said the spokesman of the Hafar forces. On Saturday, the air force struck the port because of its use of transporting weapons, ammunition and terrorist elements.

Reuters, Al Wasat and Al Nabaa reported that two port employees were injured, while other sources mentioned no civilian casualties or injuries but “heavy losses” for the Libya Dawn militia.

The incident occured at approximately 11:00 am local time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    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 (3) [ collapse]

  • A TV report on airstrikes targeted Misurata city - Translation: Two airstrikes targeted Misrata city, one in the morning and one an hour ago targeted the port which resulted in injured two workers (Source: Al Nabaa TV)
  • Translation: LNA air forces targeted a warehouse of weapons in Emara Misrata at the airport without any casualties occurred (source: Noman Benotman)
  • Another picture of the warehouse (via Noman Benotman)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an airstrike targeting Misurata Port (ميناء مصراتة). After investigating visual evidence from sources, we narrowed down this location to the southwestern edge of a warehouse on a pier at Misurata Port, the exact coordinates for which are: 32.3610975, 15.2204999.

  • Photo from scene of airstrike

    Imagery:
    Witness

  • Photo from scene of airstrike. The features marked by tags F and G intersect behind the silver car.

    Imagery:
    Witness

  • Satellite imagery showing distribution of features tagged in photos from scene of airstrike.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
  • Civilians reported injured
    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

LC009

Incident date

December 20, 2014

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.190547, 16.571441 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source, Libya in Heart, reported that “nearly 20 people” died in alleged LNA airstrike in Sirte but did not specify if they were civilians.

According to the source, Nearly 20 people were killed in the bombing of the Sirte air force in Libya. Eyewitnesses confirmed that ambulances were being heard heavily.

After further review, we noticed a translation error in the source. The people mentioned are in fact Libya Dawn fighters and will be reflected as combatants in our data because of that.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Sirte (سرت‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.190547, 16.571441. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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
    Discounted
    Those killed were combatants, or other parties most likely responsible.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC008

Incident date

December 3, 2014

Location

زوارة بورت , Zuwara Port, Nuqat al Khums, Libya

Geolocation

32.921944, 12.120556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

LNA airstrikes reportedly targeted the port area in Zuwara. Most sources claimed there were no civilian casualties, though one report said that seven people were killed and 25 injured – but didn’t specify if they were civilians or combatants.

Ean Libya reported that the security official Spokesman (Hafed Muamer) confirmed that no casualties occurred during this strike: A warplane bombed the port without causing any civilian casualties, and it was also not possible to know the material losses so far, the spokesman of the security bureau, Zuwara Hafez Muammar, was quoted as saying.

According to Almukhtaser, seven people were killed and 25 injured in air strikes on the Libyan city of Zuwara in raids by the government aircraft of Haftar.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–25
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Translation: 7 persons have been killed in an alleged LNA airstrikes (Source: @almokhtsar)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Zuwara Port (زوارة بورت ), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.922249, 12.118607. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 – 7
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–25
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (9) [ collapse]