Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

LC026

Incident date

March 9, 2016

Location

الزعفران, Zaafran, Surt, Libya

Geolocation

31.207222, 16.550278 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two female children and their mother from Hamad Hamed Al-Sayah Hambali were among up to eight victims who died in airstrikes on the area of Zafaran and the power station in Sirte, local media reported. The daughters were named as Isra and Wafaa.

According to Mahmoud Mohamed Salem on March 9th, “there were frequent reports of aircraft hitting civilian targets in the city of Sirte, the latest of which was this morning. The house of Hamed Hamed Al-Hiyal Al-Hamali was attacked in the city of Sirte near the water station and the buildings of the water and electricity company, 7 km west of Sirte. Sources said that the family lost two of its daughters and the mother is still in the intensive care room.”

However other sources including Seda Libya and Ali Alkasih reported that the mother was also killed.

One source, Fazan News Agency, put the death toll as high as eight.

Libya Now also reported that there had been deaths as a result of a bombing in the Zafaran area, though it didn’t provide casualty figures.

On November 22nd, Airwars contacted Ahmed Hamid al-Sayah, the father of the victims who is based in Egypt. He confirmed the death of his two daughters and his son and daughter being injured in the incident. He provided several documents including images and hospital reports. The father claims the GNA conducted the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Wafa Ahmed Hamid Al-Sayah
Child female Via the victim family killed
Isra Ahmed Hamed Al-Sayah
Child female Via the victim family killed
Hamid Ahmed Al-Sayah
Child male Via the victim family injured
Sister of Hamid Al-Sayah
Adult female Via the victim family injured

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the neighbourhood of Zafraan (الزعفران). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Zaafran are: 31.207222 16.550278.

  • Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the neighbourhood of Zafraan (الزعفران).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 8
  • (2 children)
  • 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 belligerent
    Government of National Accord
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The children Isra and Wafaa killed in an airstrike on Sirte, March 9th (via Khaled Alkhwaildi)
  • An image showing the victims' house in Sirte (via the victims' family)
  • An image showing the victims' house in Sirte (via the victims' family)
  • An image showing the victims' house in Sirte (via the victims' family)
  • An image shows the victims house in Sirte city following by an unknown airstrike which led to killing two little girls and injured one child and an adult woman (source: the victim family)
  • An image showing the victims' house in Sirte (via the victims' family)
  • An image showing the victims' house in Sirte (via the victims' family)
  • An image showing the victims' house in Sirte (via the victims' family)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image showing Hamid Ahmed al-Sayah, allegedly injured in the incident (via the victim's family)
  • An image shows the death certificate of the Esra al-Syah, killed followed an unknown airstrike on her house (via victim's family)
  • An image shows the death certificate of the Wafa al-Syah, killed followed an unknown airstrike on her house (via victim's family)
  • A picture shows Hamid's sister hospital report who was injured following an unknown airstrike on her house in Sirte (via victim's family)

Government of National Accord Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 8
  • (2 children)
  • 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 belligerent
    Government of National Accord
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (13) [ collapse]