Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

Lib2011-096

Incident date

May 16, 2011

Location

باب العزيزية, Bab Al Azizia, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.871451, 13.172594 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 16th, 2011, NATO forced bombed Tripoli, including a hotel near the Bab al-Azizyah neighbourhood. Multiple sources reported the airstrikes, although it was unclear if there were civilian casualties.

Al Jazeera for example noted: “On Monday evening, NATO forces bombed civilian and military targets in the Libyan capital, Tripoli, and the nearby Qasr Bin Ghashir region, according to Libyan state television, while the rebels announced that they were planning to head towards the west of the country. Libyan State TV quoted a military source with news of the bombing, and saying that the strikes caused ‘material and human damage.'”

Abo Mohammad posted: “The Libyan regime TV reported that the city of Tripoli and the Qasr bin Ghashir area were bombed this evening, and reports from Al-Manara reported that three powerful explosions shook Bab Al-Aziziyah.”

NATO reported airstrikes “in Tripoli: 1 Command & Control Node, 1 Military Training Facility. In the vicinity of Tripoli: 1 Surface-To-Air Fire Control Radar, 2 Land Based Air Surveillance Radars”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 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.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Bab Al Azizia (باب العزيزية),  for which the generic coordinates are: 32.871451, 13.172594. 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
Official source

In Tripoli: 1 Command & Control Node, 1 Military Training Facility. In the vicinity of Tripoli: 1
Surface-To-Air Fire Control Radar, 2 Land Based Air Surveillance Radars

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 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.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-139

Incident date

August 11, 2011

Location

تاورغاء‎, Tawergha, Misrata, Libya

Geolocation

32.053695, 15.048778 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 24 and 74 civilians, including at least 2 women, in Tawergha were killed by shelling and rockets launched allegedly by the rebels and/or NATO as they advanced into the town after taking control of Misurata. Civilian homes were struck by shells and were killed and injured, eventually resulting in a massive exodus of the population. The shelling took place from August 10-12, 2011.

Mukhtar.altawaragi posted on Facebook that as many as 74 people were killed during the shelling and named Salah Ahmed Gaddafi, Muhammad Al-Hamali Musa, and Abdul Salam Saleh Laban as being killed.

Khal.eltawrghi posted a list of 24 names, including Abdullah Al-Zaidi, Abdulmutallab, Ameryhel Salem, Abdel Halim Suleiman, Muftah Qurallah, Ahmed Mustafa Gaddafi, Colonel Gomaa Mabrouk, Kamal Al-Hamali, Muammar Al-Toumi, Khaled Qurifa and his mother, the old woman Saliba, Saleh Al Shakshak and his family, Haji Ahmed Al Shakshak and his family, the Joubran family, Musa Al-Ajili, Sheikh Mabrouk Elyan, Ahmed Alyan, Alyan Milad, Mahmoud Sweilam, Ashour Salem, the teacher Juma Salihin, Ibn Thabet, the old man Awad and Muftah Harib.

Some homes were completely destroyed from the shelling, especially in the Al-Kosha neighborhood.

A Facebook post by Sabha 17th Feb identified Professor Saleh al-Shakshak and his family, including Abd al-Rahman al-Shakshak, as being killed by the bombing in Tawergha, which is composed of 7-8 people. Tawergha Local Council reported that one of the sons of Saleh al-Shakshak survived the attack.

A Facebook post by Tawrgha and 17th feb revolution identified the Gibran family as being killed inside of their house.

Jumaa Salihin Ali, a teacher, was identified by Why Taghoura as being killed in Tawergha.

Mabrouk Elyan, who is the imam of a mosque in Tawergha, was identified by Tawragha martyrs as being killed.

A video was posted by THE.SON.OF.TAWARGAH showing Kamal Al-Hamali, who was allegedly killed.

Airwars later spoke to one of the relatives of the victims: “‘130 men from Tawergha are missing ever since, and no one knows anything about them. They were taken by the rebels. My brother is one of them,’ Gabriel Farag, who also had to flee Tawergha, told Airwars. ‘These 130 men were arrested just for the mere fact that they are from Tawergha.'”

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

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Saleh al-Shakshak and his family
male killed
Abd Al Rahman Al Shakshak
killed

Family members (1)

Gibran family
killed

Family members (1)

Khaled Qurifa and his mother
killed

Family members (1)

Haji Ahmed Al Shakshak and his family

Family members (1)

the Joubran family

The victims were named as:

Jumaa Salihin Ali
Adult male a teacher in education killed
Abdel Halim Suleiman Abu Sadeegh
Adult male killed
Salah Ahmed Gaddafi صلاح أحمد القذافي
Age unknown killed
Muhammad Al-Hamali Musa محمد الهمالي موسى
Age unknown killed
Abdul Salam Saleh Laban عبدالسلام صالح لبن
Age unknown killed
Mabrouk Elyan
Adult male imam of a mosque in Tawergha killed
Kamal Al-Hamali
Adult male killed
Abdullah Al-Zaidi
Age unknown male killed
Abdulmutallab
Age unknown male killed
Ameryhel Salem
Age unknown male killed
Muftah Qurallah
Age unknown male killed
Colonel Gomaa Mabrouk
Age unknown male killed
Muammar Al-Toumi
Age unknown male killed
the old woman Saliba
Age unknown female killed
Musa Al-Ajili
Age unknown killed
Ahmed Alyan
Age unknown killed
Alyan Milad
Age unknown killed
Mahmoud Sweilam
Age unknown killed
Ashour Salem
Age unknown killed
Ibn Thabet
Age unknown killed
old man Awad
Age unknown killed
Muftah Harib
Age unknown killed
Khaled Qurayfa
Age unknown male carried his handicapped mother on his shoulders and ran with her killed
Atiqa Hadiri
Age unknown female at Gate 14, who was taken by zeal and fever, carried a Kalashnikov assault rifle defending Tawergha and was martyred killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 74
  • (2 women1 man2–74 undetermined)
  • 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 attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, NATO forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Jumaa Salihin Ali ... a teacher in education, the date of martyrdom 13/8/2011 in Tawergha

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abdel Halim Suleiman Abu Sadeegh ... was killed while entering Tawergha
  • Mabrouk Elyan, who is the imam of a mosque in Tawergha, was killed.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Sheikh Mabrouk Elyan, who was killed in Tawergha
  • son of the late Salih al-Shakshak that survived the attack on Tawergha on August 11, 2011
  • Images of TAWARGAH on August 11, 2011
  • Images of TAWARGAH on August 11, 2011

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tawergha (تاورغاء‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.053695, 15.048778. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Gaddafi Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 74
  • (2 women1 man2–74 undetermined)
  • 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 attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, NATO forces

Incident Code

Lib2011-064

Incident date

April 8, 2011

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.374457, 15.087794 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On April 8th, a 20 month old baby boy and his grandmother were injured during crossfire between Gaddafi forces and rebel forces in Misurata. Amnesty reported on the injuries.

Amnesty reports “‘Abderrabbo Fezzani, a 20-month-old baby boy, and his grandmother were injured when they were caught in the crossfire between al-Gaddafi forces and opposition fighters in the second week of April.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-218

Incident date

December 16, 2011

Location

طرابلس‎, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.886602, 13.190912 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed and three others were injured in Tripoli on December 16, 2011 when their car was ambushed and attacked by nine people armed with Kalashnikov rifles. According to the UN Report Source Page 82, a survivor of the attack said that he was in a car with four friends when their car was blocked by a pick-up truck, a 4×4 vehicle, and a car and the assailants tried to steal their car but when they refused, they opened fire, killing one passenger and injuring two other passengers and the driver.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Tripoli (طرابلس‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.886602, 13.190912. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ050

Incident date

July 1, 2017

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.123611, 20.078889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, “intensive” air raids were launched on Sabri. 218 TV claimed they were conducted by LNA planes.

Emhona said on Twitter they were conducted by Emirati or Egyptian warplanes.

No civilians harm from the event is presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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, Egyptian Military, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Libyan National Army Assessment:

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

Egyptian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Egyptian Military
  • Egyptian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

United Arab Emirates Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    United Arab Emirates Military
  • United Arab Emirates Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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, Egyptian Military, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ031

Incident date

June 16, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Regency Hotel, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.133136, 20.070739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The LNA reported that it targeted a boat with an airstrike near the Regency Hotel near Sabri, and reported terrorist positions near Qawarsheh. In addition, it said its MiG-21 hit a moving target at the roundabout near the pipe factory.

Local sources added that an ISIS leader named Hassan al-Mushaiti was killed in one of the airstrikes. In addition, another airstrike was reportedly conducted in Qawarsheh.

The status of any civilian crew onboard the vessel 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]

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

LQ014

Incident date

October 1, 2015

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi: 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 bombed three ships said to have been trying to deliver weapons to alleged terrorists in Benghazi.

According to Libya’s Channel, “Maj. Mohammed Al-Hijazi said that the Air Force bombed three ships last night headed from Misrata Port carrying ammunition and fighters destined for the city of Benghazi to support the remaining remnants of terrorists after being monitored by the operations room of Battalion 309 on its radar system.”

It is not known if any civilian crews of the boats were killed or injured.

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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: Libya The Air Force bombs two boats off the shores of Benghazi (Source: @wady_dynar)

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

LC142

Incident date

May 15, 2019

Location

جامع علي بن ابي طالب, Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.767579, 13.096423 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three people were injured in a GNA artillery strike on Qasr Bin Gashir.

Tripoli Now said they were injured when a shell fell on the Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque.

Tk yhrog kl shy2 published a similar report and uploaded a video of the damage at the building.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Government of National Accord

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Video of the damage to the mosque

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Ali Bin Abi Talib Mosuqe (جامع علي بن ابي طالب) being struck, for which the generic coordinates are: 32.767579, 13.096423. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Government of National Accord Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Government of National Accord
  • Government of National Accord position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Government of National Accord

Sources (2) [ collapse]