Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident date

May 4, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-088

LOCATION

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

A family was reportedly killed by Gaddafi regime forces artillery shelling of Misurata. Al Jazeera said at the time: “Libya’s revolutionaries said that yesterday’s bombing of the Gaddafi Brigades targeted the port of Misrata in western Libya, leaving at least five civilians dead, at a time when an official at the International Criminal Court spoke

Summary

First published
May 4, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 7
(2 children1 woman1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected targets
Libyan rebel forces, Other
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 30, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-081

LOCATION

الساحة الخضراء, Green Square, Tarabulus, Libya

Several members of the Gaddafi family were reported to have been killed by a NATO airstrike on Tripoli. While Saif al-Arab Gaddafi, son of Muammar Gaddafi, was reportedly a member of the military, his children clearly had non-combatant status due to their young age. CNN reported: “The Libyan government said Sunday that Gadhafi’s son, Saif

Summary

First published
April 30, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(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 belligerent
NATO forces
Suspected target
Gaddafi forces
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

April 24, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-076

LOCATION

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya

Between one and 14 civilians were allegedly killed by Gaddafi forces shelling on Misurata. An Amnesty International investigation found the following: “Ahmed Ahmed al-Majdoub, a 64-year-old father of 10, was killed on 25 April at his daughter’s house in the Qasr Ahmad neighbourhood of Misratah, to the west of the port.” The investigation quotes al-Majdoub’s

Summary

First published
April 24, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 14
(1 child1 man)
Civilians reported injured
1–25
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected targets
Libyan rebel forces, Other
Named victims
1 named
Belligerents reported killed
3
View Incident

Incident date

April 14, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-069

LOCATION

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya

At least 16 civilians were reportedly killed in indiscriminate shelling by Gaddafi regime forces on Misurata. Human Rights Watch reported: “Libyan government forces have launched indiscriminate rocket and mortar attacks on residential neighborhoods in the rebel-held city of Misrata, Human Rights Watch said today. One strike, apparently by a Grad rocket, killed at least eight

Summary

First published
April 14, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
16 – 23
(4–6 children4–6 women3 men)
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 targets
Libyan rebel forces, Other, Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

April 12, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-068

LOCATION

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya

Three civilians were reported killed and one injured as a result of Gaddafi forces shelling on Misurata. An ITN report showed people mourning the loss of “two brothers” due to indiscriminate shelling. Later, two injured children are shown in the film, of which one was said to have died at the hospital. There are currently

Summary

First published
April 12, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
1
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected targets
Libyan rebel forces, Other
View Incident

Incident date

April 9, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-065

LOCATION

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya

At least five civilians were allegedly killed by Gaddafi forces shelling of Misurata. Al Jazeera said: “A spokesman for the Libyan revolutionaries in the western city of Misurata said that the Libyan Colonel Muammar Gaddafi’s brigades continued to bombard the city they besieged on Monday, killing five people and wounding more than twenty others. Meanwhile,

Summary

First published
April 9, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
17
(12 children)
Civilians reported injured
21–22
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
Gaddafi Forces
View Incident

Incident date

April 1, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-057

LOCATION

مرسى البريقة, Brega, Al Wahat, Libya

Between six and seven civilians were reported killed in a NATO airstrike in the outskirts of Brega. The BBC wrote: “A direct hit on an ammunition truck and trailer in a street in Zawia el Argobe sent a hail of shrapnel into nearby houses, [Dr Refardi] said. Four of the dead were female, including three children

Summary

First published
April 1, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
6 – 7
(3–4 children1 woman)
Civilians reported injured
25
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
NATO forces
Suspected target
Gaddafi forces
View Incident

Incident date

March 30, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-054

LOCATION

العرقوب, Al Argoub, Al Wahat, Libya

Between seven and ten civilians were allegedly killed and 25 more injured by a NATO airstrike on Al Argoub. The BBC said: “Seven civilians died and 25 were hurt in a coalition air strike on a pro-Gaddafi convoy in eastern Libya, a doctor there has told the BBC. Dr Suleiman Refardi said Wednesday’s raid happened

Summary

First published
March 30, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
7 – 10
(6 children2 women2 men)
Civilians reported injured
25
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
NATO forces
Suspected targets
Gaddafi forces, Other
Named victims
10 named
Belligerents reported killed
1
View Incident

Incident date

March 30, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-055

LOCATION

خوروم, Khorum, Al Jabal al Gharbi, Libya

A toddler, the 18-months old Sirajuddin al-Sweisi, was reportedly killed in a NATO airstrike on Brega. The Boston News wrote: “Nizha Abdel-Salam and her family say her 18-month old son Sirajuddin al-Sweisi was killed when debris pierced the wall of their home as NATO airstrikes hit an ammunition [dump] near their village of Khorum early

Summary

First published
March 30, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 child)
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
NATO forces
Suspected target
Gaddafi forces
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 24, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-049

LOCATION

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya

A mother and her four children were reportedly killed by Gaddafi regime shelling on Misurata. Al Manara TV noted: “Gaddafi forces on Friday continued to bomb Misurata east of Tripoli, killing one woman and her four children while a doctor at the city hospital on Thursday said 109 martyrs and 1,300 were wounded in a

Summary

First published
March 24, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5
(4 children1 woman)
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected belligerent
Gaddafi Forces
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

March 23, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-047

LOCATION

كلية الهندسة العسكرية, College of Military Engineering, Tarabulus, Libya

Several civilians were reportedly killed in a NATO airstrike on Tajoura, east of Tripoli. BBC Arabic said at the time: “Libyan officials early on Thursday took a group of journalists to a hospital in Tripoli to see what they said were 18 charred corpses of soldiers and civilians killed in coalition raids overnight. Western planes bombed

Summary

First published
March 23, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
8 – 16
(2 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.
Suspected belligerent
NATO forces
Suspected target
NATO forces
View Incident

Incident date

March 22, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-046

LOCATION

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya

At least four children were reported killed in a possible attack on Misurata by Gaddafi regime forces. RTE wrote that “Forces loyal to Gaddafi are shelling the rebel-held western city of Misrata and casualties include four children killed when the car they were in was hit, Reuters is reporting.” And the BBC noted: “AFP reported

Summary

First published
March 22, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 17
(4–5 children)
Causes of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Gaddafi Forces
Suspected target
Unknown
View Incident

Incident date

March 19, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-040

LOCATION

الدولار, Dollar, Benghazi, Libya

Two civilians, one of them a child, were allegedly killed by Gaddafi forces artillery shelling on the Hay Dollar neighbourhood of Benghazi. An Amnesty International field investigation found: “The renewed attacks were even more vicious as the rockets used were packed with small metal balls intended to maximize injury and damage. Grad rockets packed with

Summary

First published
March 19, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(1 child1 man)
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.
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

March 17, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-034

LOCATION

كرزاز, Kerzaz, Misrata, Libya

A father was killed and many members of his family injured by Gaddafi forces tank fire in Misurata, according to an Amnesty International investigation. The Amnesty report noted: “In a separate incident a few hours earlier [on March 17th] in the same area, another family came under fire as they were fleeing Kerzaz in three

Summary

First published
March 17, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Single source claim
Strike type
Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
1
(1 man)
Civilians reported injured
5
Cause of injury / death
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Airwars civilian harm grading
Weak
Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
Suspected target
Other
Named victims
5 named, 1 familiy identified
View Incident

Incident date

February 18, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-009

LOCATION

قرب قاعدة حسين الجويفل في الشحات, Near Hussein Al Jaweifi Military Base, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Libya

On February 18th, 2011, Amnesty International reported that two civilians were reported killed at the protests in the Hussein al-Jaweifi military base in Shahat, from soldiers who fired at the protestors. Ruqayya al-Mabrok al-Hassi, an 11 year old girl, was killed as a result of a stray bullet. Amnesty quotes “A bullet fired from the

Summary

First published
February 18, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2
(2 children)
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected target
Libyan rebel forces
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

February 15, 2011

Incident Code

Lib2011-004

LOCATION

البيضان, Bayda, Al Jabal al Akhdar, Libya

On February 17th, 2011, between 5:30pm and 6:00pm local time, the deaths of between three and 14 civilians were reported killed by Gaddafi forces in Bayda. Ibm tweeted, quoting Al Jazeera: “Three demonstrators were killed and four wounded by Libyan security bullets in Al-Bayda city, east of Benghazi.” @monakareem said: “Security forces kill 4 more

Summary

First published
February 17, 2011
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Likely strike
Strike type
Ground operation
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
3 – 14
(1 child)
Civilians reported injured
4–50
Cause of injury / death
Small arms and light weapons
Airwars civilian harm grading
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Suspected belligerent
Gaddafi Forces
Suspected target
Other
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

December 17, 2009

Incident Code

USYEM002-C

LOCATION

المعجلة, Al Majala, Abyan, Yemen

At least forty-seven civilians, including at least twenty-two children and twelve women, were reportedly killed after a US cruise-missile strike targeted an alleged AQAP training camp on the edge of Al-Majala village, Mahfad district of Abyan governorate, at around 6 AM on December 17th 2009. This was the first known strike in Yemen approved by

Summary

First published
December 17, 2009
Last updated
August 28, 2023
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike and/or Artillery
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
47 – 64
(22–23 children12–17 women11–19 men)
Civilians reported injured
23–88
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
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP)
Named victims
62 named, 11 families identified
Geolocation
Village
Belligerents reported killed
6–24
Belligerents reported injured
4
View Incident

Incident date

May 1, 2008

Incident Code

USSOM007-C

LOCATION

Dusa Marreb, Galguduud, Somalia

At least five and as many as 30 civilians, including children and one woman, were reportedly killed as US-launched missiles targeted and killed several top al Shabab commanders in Dusa Marreb, a Somali village near the Ethiopian border, local and international sources reported. Around 3am local time on May 1st, 2008, US naval-launched cruise missiles

Summary

First published
May 1, 2008
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
5 – 30
(2 children1 woman)
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
US Forces
Known target
Al-Shabaab
Named victims
3 named, 1 familiy identified
Belligerents reported killed
2–10
View Incident

Incident date

January 8, 2007

Incident Code

USSOM002-C

LOCATION

Hayo, Lower Juba, Somalia

According to international and local reports, up to 31 civilians, including at least one child, were killed as the town of Hayi or Xayo was subjected to either US or Ethiopian-waged airstrikes. Heavy civilian casualties were reported in airstrikes on Hayi near Afmadow, 250km northwest of Ras Kamboni, and other parts of southern Somalia, in

Summary

First published
January 9, 2007
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Contested strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
4 – 31
(1 child1 woman1 man)
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
US Forces, Ethiopian Military Forces
Suspected target
Al Qaeda in East Africa
Named victims
1 named
View Incident

Incident date

January 7, 2007

Incident Code

USSOM001-C

LOCATION

Ras Kamboni (possibly vicinity of Lag Badana Bushbush National Park), Lower Juba, Somalia

Up to eight civilians were reportedly killed as the US carried out an airstrike against al Qaeda leaders in Ras Kamboni, Lower Juba, international and local sources reported. Shortly after Ethiopian forces had invaded Somalia in late December 2006, the US carried out its first known combat operation within Somalia since the September 11 2001

Summary

First published
January 7, 2007
Last updated
January 18, 2022
Strike status
Declared strike
Strike type
Airstrike, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
Civilian harm reported
Yes
Civilians reported killed
2 – 8
(2–5 children)
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 belligerent
US Forces
Known target
Al Qaeda in East Africa
Belligerents reported killed
8–45
Belligerents reported injured
3
View Incident