All Belligerents in Libya, 2011

All Belligerents in Libya, 2011

Mourners in Majer, Libya in 2011 following a NATO airstrike which killed at least 34 civilians, according to multiple reports. Image courtesy of Sidney Kwiram/ Human Rights Watch

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

Lib2011-165

Incident date

September 16, 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

A boy and his mother were killed by NATO bombing in the third residential area in Sirte in September 16th 2011.

Various condolence pages reported their death without providing further details.

NATO on that day reported striking “5 Command and Controle Nodes, 3 Radar Systems, 4 Armed Vehicles, 8 Air Missile Systems” near Sirte.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Gabriel Abdul Rahim Muhammad Asbaka al-Qaddafi al-Wumli جبريل عبدالرحيم محمد اسباقة القدافي الوملي
Child male 8 years old killed
Amsoura Abu Bakr Abdullah Al-Mabrouk Al-Jahsh أمصوره ابوبكر عبدالله المبروك الجحش
Adult killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 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 attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • An image of Gabriel Abdul Rahim Muhammad Asbaka al-Wumli Al-Qaddafi who was killed in Sirte in September 16th 2011 (via Sirte martyrs)
  • "A memorial picture of Amsoura Abu Bakr Abdullah Al-Mabrouk Al-Jahsh who was killed in Sirte in September 16th 2011 (the date is documented in the image) - (via The Martyer Mu’tsem Billah Al Gaddafi Facebook page)"
  • Card translation Name: Gabriel Abd al-Rahim Muhammad Asbaqa al-Qaddafi al-Wumli Date and place of birth: 2003, Sirte city Died in September 16th 2011 in Sirte
  • Card translation Name:Amsoura Abu Bakr Abdullah Al-Mabrouk Al-Jahsh Date and place of birth: 1969, Tarhunah Died in September 16th 2011 in Sirte
  • An image of Gabriel Abdul Rahim Muhammad Asbaka al-Wumli Al-Qaddafi (8 years old) who was killed by the NATO in Sirte in September 16th 2011 (via Khamis Al Gaddafi Al Qawaseem Facebook post)

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

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Gaddafi Forces
Official source

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 child1 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 attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-036

Incident date

March 18, 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 March 18th, 2011, up to 25 civilians were killed and up to 70 more wounded in shelling in Misurata from Gaddafi forces according to multiple sources.

Al-Jazeera reported that shelling from Gaddafi tanks and artillery, combined with Gaddafi snipers, had killed 25 and possibly more, according to a spokesman from the February 17 Youth.

Another source, Al Arabiya, reported 70 wounded in the bombing. However, this count was not verified by other known sources.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25
  • Civilians reported injured
    70
  • 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 target
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–25
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–70

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • The video shows shellings occurring in Misurata. No targets were identified.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Misurata (مصراتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.374457, 15.087794. 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 status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    25
  • Civilians reported injured
    70
  • 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 target
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–25
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–70

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-106

Incident date

June 7, 2011

Location

باب العزيزية‎ , Bab Al Aziziya, Tripoli, Libya

Airwars assessment

At least 29 civilians were killed by NATO airstrikes on Tripoli, according to the Gaddafi regime.

Al Jazeera noted at the time: “Libyan government spokesman Moussa Ibrahim said that at least 29 people were killed in 60 air strikes targeting the Libyan capital, Tripoli, on Tuesday evening, while Libyan Colonel Muammar Gaddafi pledged in an audio speech today to fight to the death.”

The BBC also quoted the spokesperson. Other sources only mentioned heavy bombardment.

The Sirte Martyrs condolence page later named one victim.

NATO itself declared the following airstrikes on June 7th: “In Tripoli: 5 Command & Control Facilities, 1 Vehicle Storage Facility, 2 Self-Propelled Antiaircraft Guns, 1 Air Surveillance Radar. In the vicinity of Tripoli: 1 Command & Control Facility.” And Air Cdre Ian Wood said the British RAF had taken part in the strikes on Tripoli on that day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Misbah Hassan Nasr Al-Qahsi Gaddafi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 29
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Video showing the alleged victims
  • Video showing the damage of the attack

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention multiple strikes on the Bab Al Aziziya compound (باب العزيزية‎) in the city of Tripoli (طرابلس‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.871944, 13.172222. Structural damage can be seen from the satellite imagery, however we are unable to confirm if all damage occurred from the same event.

  • Reports of the incident mention a series of strikes hitting the Bab Al Aziziya compound (باب العزيزية‎) in the city of Tripoli (طرابلس‎). Structural damage can be seen from the satellite imagery, however we are unable to confirm if all damage occurred from the same event. Left is an image from 7th Mar 2011, and right from 26th Jul 2011.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

Gaddafi Forces
Official source

07 JUNE: In Tripoli: 5 Command & Control Facilities, 1 Vehicle Storage Facility, 2 Self-Propelled Antiaircraft Guns, 1 Air Surveillance Radar. In the vicinity of Tripoli: 1 Command & Control Facility.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 29
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-010

Incident date

February 18, 2011

Location

البيضان, Al Bayda, Al Wahat, Libya

Geolocation

32.759849, 21.752794 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 18th, 2011, 35 protestors were shot dead in al-Bayda, reported by multiple sources.

Al-Jazeera reports “In Al-Bayda, near Benghazi, human rights organizations and opposition websites reported at least 14 dead, while other sources told Al-Jazeera Net of 35 dead.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 35
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–36
  • 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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Baydaa (البيضاء), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.759849, 21.752794. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    14 – 35
  • Civilians reported injured
    24–36
  • 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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-152

Incident date

August 26, 2011

Location

مشفى أبو سليم, Abu Salim Hospital, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.854058, 13.174511 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 39 and 200 civilians died in Abu Salim hospital in Tripoli on August 26, 2011 according to multiple news sources, including Al Jazeera and BBC News.

A video by Al Jazeera shows Abu Salim hospital in Tripoli full over more than 100 dead bodies in the intensive care unit after the majority of the staff fled from violence. The reporters saw 39 bodies but is estimated that up to 150 died, with some being shot according to a witness. They describe the victims in the hospital as being both rebels and Gaddafi loyalists.

According to BBC News, about 200 people died in the hospital, including men, women, and children and pro-Gaddafi forces were responsible for killing them.

Videos posted by AFP Arabic, Popular Front for the Liberation of Libya, Ali Bob and Al Aan TV show countless dead bodies in the hospital and patients, including children, being evacuated by the International Red Cross.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    39 – 200
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • 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 target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Abu Salim hospital (باب العزيزية) in Tripoli (طرابلس‎), the generic coordinates for which are: 32.854058, 13.174511. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    39 – 200
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • 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 target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-209

Incident date

October 25, 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

Two men died on October 25, 2011 after being detained in rebel custody in Tripoli on October 25, 2011 according to the UN Report Source Page 81.

One man, a member of Gaddafi’s security forces, was arrested by the rebels on September 11, 2011 and held in the former Internal Security Agency building in central Tripoli. His family received a call from a Tripoli hospital and when they arrived he was dead, with the cause of death being heart and kidney failure triggered by beatings and videos show that the victim had severe bruising, missing flesh, whip marks, and open wounds.

Another man died from torture 10 days after he was arrested without a warrant or cause by rebels in his neighborhood. The autopsy showed that his death was the result of severe beatings all over his body.

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
    2
  • (2 men1 other protected person)
  • 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
    2
  • (2 men1 other protected person)
  • 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

Lib2011-058

Incident date

April 1, 2011

Location

مرسى البريقة, Brega, Al Wahat, Libya

Geolocation

30.411123, 19.570076 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between ten and 13 rebel fighters were reportedly killed in friendly fire by a NATO airstrike near Brega. This included three medical students, whom Airwars has classed as non combatants.

While Al Jazeera provided the lowest death toll at ten, the BBC reported: “At least 13 people are reported to have been killed when a coalition plane flying over Libya fired on a rebel convoy between Brega and Ajdabiya on Friday, the rebels say.

Doctors at a hospital in Ajdabiya told the BBC that three medical students were among the dead. Nato said it was looking into the incident but that it was very difficult to verify details about what happened.”

Apparently the aircraft struck because “the rebels were on their way to Brega when they fired into the air with an anti-aircraft gun, the BBC’s Nick Springate reported from the scene of the attack.”

The New York Times also said 13 rebels were killed and quoted two injured fighters.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 healthcare_personnel)
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Brega (البريقة), for which the generic coordinates are: 30.411123, 19.570076. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

NATO forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 healthcare_personnel)
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-039

Incident date

March 19, 2011

Location

الزاوية‎, Zawiya, Libya

Geolocation

32.759709, 12.732495 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An elderly Palestinian woman was allegedly killed by Gaddafi forces shelling on Zawiya.

According to Palestine Book : “The martyrdom of the elderly Palestinian Alamiya Al-Kamoudi, 71 years old, and the wounding of her brother and his wife (residing in Libya), from Al-Bureij camp in the Gaza Strip, as a result of indiscriminate bombing by Gaddafi forces of citizens’ homes in Al-Zawiya city in Libya.”

Alaa Zaghir and Gaza Youth also reported her death but did not mention additional injuries.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Alamiya Al-Kamoudi
71 years old female killed
Brother of Alamiya Al-Kamoudi
Adult male injured
Sister in law of Alamiya Al-Kamoudi
Adult female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 target
    Other

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Zawiya (الزاوية‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.759709, 12.732495. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 target
    Other

Sources (3) [ collapse]