Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

USYEM038-B

Incident date

September 21, 2011

Location

شقرة, Shaqra, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

13.356639, 45.699426 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On September 21 2011, alleged US airstrikes on the town of Shaqra in Yemen’s southern Abyan province killed six to seven alleged AQAP militants. One outlet, AFP, stated that three alleged militants were injured in the strike. There are no reported cases of civilian harm.

Aden Online and Long War Journal put the number of alleged militants killed at seven, whereas AFP put the number at six. AFP was the only outlet to report that militants were injured in the strikes.

The outlet Aden Online claimed the strikes were carried out by American warplanes while others, such as Neoclassical Blog citing the news outlet Al Arabiya, stated that the strikes were conducted by US drones. Long War Journal reported that when they contacted the US for comment, the US military officials “would not comment on airstrikes, but said US forces are supporting Yemeni forces”.

The strike in Al-Shaqra corresponded with others throughout Abyan, including the town of Al-Mahfad, where numerous sources claimed that US strikes killed four alleged AQAP militants (USYEM037-B).

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6–7
  • Belligerents reported injured
    3

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Shaqra (شقرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 13.356639, 45.699426. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6–7
  • Belligerents reported injured
    3

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

USYEM037-B

Incident date

September 21, 2011

Location

المحفد, Al Mahfed, Abyan, Yemen

Geolocation

14.059345, 46.915427 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On 21 September, 2011, alleged US airstrikes on the town of Al-Mahfad were said to have killed four suspected AQAP militants, according to numerous sources. Initial claims that high-profile Al Qaeda officials such as Anwar al-Awlaki, Fahd al-Quso and Said al-Shihri may have been present and killed in the strike were later proven false. There are no reported cases of civilian harm.

The strike on Al-Mahfad took place in conjunction with numerous strikes throughout the province of Abyan in south Yemen, and several sources, such as AFP, Al Hadath Journal, and Yemen Latest News put the number of alleged AQAP militants killed throughout the province at ten. AFP reported that of the ten, six were killed in a strike on Shaqra and four were killed in a strike on Al-Mahfad. AFP reported that two strikes took place in Mahfad.

A resident told Aden Al-Ghad that he saw dense smoke rising from the middle of rugged wooden warehouses used by the shepherds years ago to store firewood and other materials before armed groups settled in the area into gathering centers.

AFP and Aden Online reported that four alleged militants were killed in the strike on Al-Mahfad, with Aden Online noting that the strike was the work of US aircraft. Other sources, such as Al Hadath, claim that the strikes were carried out by drones. Long War Journal states that it is unknown whether the strikes were carried out by warplanes or drones and that when they contacted the US for comment, the US military officials “would not comment on airstrikes, but said US forces are supporting Yemeni forces”.

The incident occured in the afternoon.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A screenshot captured on the BBC website shows Said al-Shihri (Photo credit: AP), an al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) commander who was though to have been targeted and killed in the strike. However this was later proven false.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Mahfed (المحفد), for which the generic coordinates are: 14.059345, 46.915427. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

US Forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    0
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Known attacker
    US Forces
  • Suspected target
    Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-172

Incident date

September 21, 2011

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

One child was allegedly injured by a NATO airstrike on Sirte.

Surt son posted a video of a child in hospital bed on Youtube who is missing a leg and arm. Additionally he seems to have sustained severe face injuries as his upper body is almost entirely bandaged.

NATO reported hitting “1 Command and Controle Node, 5 Surface to Air Missile Systems” near Sirte on that day.

There is currently no further information available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

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.

NATO forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    NATO forces
  • NATO forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

NATO forces

In the vicinity of Sirte: 1 Command and Controle Node, 5 Surface to Air Missile Systems.

Summary

  • 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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-170

Incident date

September 20, 2011

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

On September 20th, 2011, Reuters reported that a spokesman for Gaddafi stated that 151 civilians were killed due to shelling on Sirte.

This number was unable to be verified. Independent investigators later found that civilian casualty number reported by the Gaddafi regime were hugely inflated of fabricated.

NATO confirmed airstrikes on “1 Command and Control Node, 5 Surface to Air Missile Systems” near Sirte.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    151
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (2) [ 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.

NATO forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    NATO forces
  • NATO forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

NATO forces

In the vicinity of Sirte: 1 Command and Controle Node, 5 Surface to Air Missile Systems.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    151
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-169

Incident date

September 18, 2011

Location

الحي رقم 3, Neighbourhood No. 3, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.204873, 16.600943 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On September 18th, 2011, three children were reported to have died from NATO bombardment in the third residential area of Sirte.

Nour al-Din Nasser al-Zanki reported the deaths of two children, while a Facebook page from a father reported the death of another child on the same day.

NATO confirmed airstrikes on “1 Military Facility, 1 Command and Control Node, 1 Multiple Rocket Launcher, 4 Air Missile Systems” in the vicinity of Sirte on the 18th.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Iman Ibrahim Ali Bobriq
Child male killed
Hanadi Ibrahim Aboubriq
Child female killed
Najah Salah Nasr Al Shamekh Aboubriq
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2–3 children)
  • 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 attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the third neighbourhood (الحي رقم 3) of Sirte (سرت‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.204873, 16.600943. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the third neighbourhood (الحي رقم 3) of Sirte (سرت‎).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

NATO forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    NATO forces
  • NATO forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

NATO forces

In the vicinity of Sirte: 1 Military Facility, 1 Command and Control Node, 1 Multiple Rocket Launcher, 4 Air
Missile Systems.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2–3 children)
  • 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 attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-167

Incident date

September 17, 2011

Location

الشعبية, Al Sha'biya, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.19674643, 16.58422018 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On September 17th, 2011, it was reported that there were four civilian casualties in a NATO airstrike in Al-Sha’biya near Sirte.

An al-Gadafia Martyr’s post reported four deaths on September 19th, 2011, Sirte Martyrs reported the same amount of deaths.

Nour al-Din Nasser al-Zanki reported that the deaths were the result of a bombing on a family house in al-Sha’biya, leading to the death of 4 cousins.

NATO confirmed airstrikes on “2 Command and Control Nodes, 4 Multiple Rocket Launchers, 1 Armed Vehicle, 4 Surface to Air Missile Systems” the vicinity of Sirte on the 17th

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Reham Milad Khalifa al-Qahsi al-Gaddafi
Child female killed
Atiqa Masoud Khalifa al-Qahsi Gaddafi
Age unknown female Also identified as Aisha Milad Khalifa Masoud Al-Jurdi Al-Qahsi killed
Najat Abdel Rahim Ali Al-Qahsi Al-Gaddafi
Adult female killed
Najat Milad Khalifa al-Qahsi al-Gaddafi
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1–2 children2–3 women)
  • 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 attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Sha’biya (الشعبية), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.19674643, 16.58422018. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Sha’biya (الشعبية).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

NATO forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    NATO forces
  • NATO forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

NATO forces

In the vicinity of Sirte: 2 Command and Control Nodes, 4 Multiple Rocket Launchers, 1 Armed Vehicle, 4 Surface to Air Missile Systems.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1–2 children2–3 women)
  • 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 attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-168

Incident date

September 17, 2011

Location

القبيبة, Al Qubeiba, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.091667, 16.386111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On September 17th, 2011, it was reported that there were two civilian casualties in a NATO airstrike near Al Qubeiba, west of Sirte.

A Nour al-Din Nasser al-Zanki post reported one death and one injury, both women, from bombings.

The Surt Son Youtube page reported the death of an unnamed Sudanese woman at the same time.

NATO confirmed airstrikes on “2 Command and Control Nodes, 4 Multiple Rocket Launchers, 1 Armed Vehicle, 4 Surface to Air Missile Systems” the vicinity of Sirte on the 17th.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Adult female killed
Adult female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • 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 attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Al Qubeiba neighbourhood (القبيبة), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.091667, 16.386111. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Al Qubeiba neighbourhood (القبيبة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

NATO forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    NATO forces
  • NATO forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

NATO forces

In the vicinity of Sirte: 2 Command and Control Nodes, 4 Multiple Rocket Launchers, 1 Armed Vehicle, 4
Surface to Air Missile Systems.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 women)
  • 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 attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-164

Incident date

September 16, 2011

Location

عمارة التأمين , Al Tam’een buildings, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.205986, 16.582817 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On September the 16th, 2011, NATO allegedly bombed a residential building in Sirte called Al Ta’amin building which led to at least two killed and two injured.

According to an Amnesty International report: “At least two residents were killed in two apartments in different parts of the building. ‘Aisha Abdul Jalil al-Mazughi, a mother of two, was killed as she, her husband, Mahmoud Zarruq Masa’ud, and their two young daughters were in their apartment on the fifth floor of the building. The two girls and their father sustained light injuries. Another resident, 27-year-old ‘Ali Omar Mohammed Suleiman, whose family lived in an apartment on the third floor, was killed in the strikes.”

The NATO strike time is contested, Amnesty reported that the strike started at 6 pm and Human Rights Watch claimed that it was at 7 pm on September 16th 2011.

According to Reuters ” NATO attacked the city of Sirte last night with more than 30 rockets directed at the city’s main hotel and the Al Ta’amin building, which consists of more than 90 residential flats,” Gaddafi spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said in a call from a satellite phone to the Reuters office in Tunis which resulted in more than 354 dead and 89 still missing and almost 700 injured in one night,” he added. The Al Ta’meen building is a landmark building in the centre of Sirte.” However, it is to be noted that Reuters was unable to verify Ibrahim’s account of the incident. Gaddafi-held areas have been cut off from communication since the fall of Tripoli.

Different local sources reported that hundreds of civilians were killed and dozens were injured due to the NATO’s bombing of the Al Ta’amin residential building.

Independent reports by human rights NGOs after the civil war assessed that claims by the Gaddafi regime had been hugely exaggerated.

NATO on that day reported hitting “5 Command and Controle Nodes, 3 Radar Systems, 4 Armed Vehicles, 8 Air Missile Systems” in the vicinity of Sirte.

The incident occured between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • Transcription: Al Hakika TV Reporter said that dozens were injured and hundreds were killed in NATO's bombing on the building. Also, the video shows the destruction that was caused by the bombing that took place on September 16th 2011 (via 42alfatah)
  • Transcription: A man speaking of the NATO's crime in bombing a civilian residential buildings in Sirte (Al Ta'amin buildings, Al Atba'a Hall, etc) that caused the death of hundreds of people living there on on September 16th 2011 (via 42alfatah)
  • A video capturing the destruction that was caused to the civilian building due to the NATO bombing on September 16th 2011 (via 42alfatah)
  • A video capturing the damage that is caused by the NATO forces on the civilian building from the inside. Also, unexploded ammunition is shown inside the building on September 16th 2011. (via 1388AMG)
  • "Apartment building struck on 16th September 2011 in Sirte (via Amnesty International)"
  • "Apartment building struck by NATO on 16th September 2011 in Sirte (via Amnesty International)"
  • The video showing for Ali Omar Muhammed Suleiman al-Gaddafi father. He said his son was still under rubbles waiting to pull his body up and also the video is capturing the destruction of the building that was caused by the NATO forces on September the 16th 2011. (via teamsirte)
  • Caption translation: "The residential complex in Sirte (Insurance Building) is a large residential complex that contains 90 apartments. The exterior of the complex after the bombing." (via Srab Ama Facebook post)
  • Ali Omar Muhammed Suleiman Al-Gaddafi was killed by the NATO bombing on the insurance building, Sirte (via Sirt boys Facebook post)
  • A picture of the insurance (Al Ta’min) building in Sirte that was bombed by the NATO Alliance. The bombing witnessed the fall of dozens of martyrs and missing bodies who have not been found on the September the 16th 2011 (via @anvwl Facebook post)
  • A picture of the insurance (Al Ta’min) building in Sirte that was bombed by the NATO Alliance on September the 16th 2011 (via @anvwl Facebook post)
  • Comments on a Facebook post referring that two people were killed, Ali Omar Muhammed Suleiman al-Gaddafi (on the 16/09/2011) and the wife of Mahmoud Zarouk, in the NATO bombing of the the insurance (Al Ta’min) building in Sirte on September the 16th 2011.
  • Ali Omar Muhammed Suleiman Al-Gaddafi was killed by the NATO bombing on the insurance building, Sirte on September 16th 2011 ( via @anvwl Facebook post)
  • An image of the destroyed insurance building in Sirte that was bombed by the NATO Alliance on September the 16th 2011 (via @anvwl Facebook post)
  • A memorial Facebook post for Ali Omar Mohamed Aswaisi Al-Khatri Al-Qaddafi who was killed due to the NATO's bombing on the Insurance building in Sirte on September 16th, 2011 (via Salem Al Khatr Facebook post)
  • "The eighth airstrike took place on Al Ta’meen buildings in Sirte at 7pm as NATO airstrikes targeted the buildings with several airstrikes. Names of civilians killed: -Ayesha Abd Al Jalil Banour Bashir, 40years old, female (wife and mother) who was 5 months pregnant. -Ali Omar Muhammed Aswesi, 27 years old male Names of civilians injured: Mahmoud Al Zarouk Al Sulaimani, male (husband of Aysha Bashir) - Tahani Mahmoud Al Sulaimani, female, 4 years old." (via Mustafa Al Fiyouri book)

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Al Tam’een apartment complex (عمارة التأمين) being struck in downtown Sirte (سرت‎). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 31.205986, 16.582817.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Al Tam’een apartment complex (عمارة التأمين) being struck in downtown Sirte (سرت‎).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • The exact location within the context of the city.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Distribution of tags on available satellite imagery.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged visual material from sources.

NATO forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    NATO forces
  • NATO forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

NATO forces

In the vicinity of Sirte: 5 Command and ControleNodes, 3 Radar Systems, 4 Armed Vehicles, 8 Air Missile Systems

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (22) [ collapse]