Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

LC019

Incident date

July 23, 2015

Location

بنغازي‎: مستشفى الجمهورية, Republic Hospital, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.127252, 20.071549 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to Russia Today, “medical sources in the city of Benghazi said that two people died and ten were wounded on Thursday (July 23rd) in clashes in the city centre between army forces and Islamist militants.”

Ewan Libya reported that one civilian was killed after a shell fell on the Ben Younis area.

Local sources reported LNA airstrikes with MiG-23 as well as Mi-25 and Mi-35 helicopters near Bouhdeima, Sabri, the fish market area and Leithi.

Other sources also reported fierce clashes in the Sabri area but made no mention of civilian casualties.

According to Alarab, “clashes were renewed in the city of Benghazi, between the Libyan army with the support of civilians, and elements of Islamic State and the Shura Council of the rebels in Benghazi. This led to the displacement of a number of people. Sources said the clashes were taking place in the area of Bouhdeima in Benghazi, east of the country, between the army and armed militias, while the Libyan army planes bombed the positions of militants.”

Egy News also spoke of an intense bombardment, reporting shelling of “the dens of terrorists with heavy artillery and tanks, in addition to air strikes from the eagles of the air force”.

Other sources – @AlmanaraMedia and @EanLibya – tweeted that “explosive barrels” were dropped on the area – but again, made no mention of civilian casualties.

The incident occured in the evening.

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention airstrikes targeting ammunition depots near Benghazi’s Republic Hospital (مستشفى الجمهورية), for which the coordinates are: 32.127252, 20.071549. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Image showing the location of the Republic Hospital in Benghazi, near where the airstrike targeted.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army

Sources (17) [ 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
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    10
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army

Sources (17) [ collapse]