Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

LC250

Incident date

December 1, 2019

Location

جسر السواني, Al Swani Bridge, Tarabulus, Libya

Geolocation

32.710367, 13.074647 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and five civilians were reportedly killed in an LNA or Emirati airstrike on Al-Swani.

Libya Observer put the death toll at two: “Foreign aircraft backing up Khalifa Haftar’s forces have carried out airstrikes on civilian houses in Al-Sawani, killing two people and injuring ten others, Volcano of Rage Operation’s media office said on Sunday.

The media office said among the civilian casualties, there are women and children and posted a video showing the destructive aftermath of the airstrike.”

The Field Medicine and Support Center (FMSC) wrote: “After a report of warplanes shelling in Al-Swani area that caused the death of three children and seriously injured a fourth child, ambulances of the Sawani Field Hospital of the Field Medicine and Support Center rushed on Sunday, 1-12-2019, to the area near the Sawani Bridge for the ambulance of the child Mohammed Jamal Yousef Helmi, 9 years old, who died instantly and recovered the body of the child Mahaba Ayad Adam, 4 years old. The body of a child who was not able to identify him was recovered.”

Libya Alahrar TV later put the death toll at five and said 13 more were wounded.

Al Wasat quoted a GNA spokesperson saying that an Emirati pilot flew the plane which conducted the strike.

According to 218TV, an LNA spokesperson later said that they did not target civilians in the area.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Jamal Yousef Helmi
9 years old male killed
Mahaba Ayad Adam
4 years old female killed
Ali Al-Zintani
10 years old male killed
Yousef Jamal Yousef Helmi
10 years old male injured

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Al Sawani Bridge (جسر السواني),  for which the generic coordinates are: 32.710367, 13.074647. 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, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–13
  • 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 belligerents
    Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Video of the aftermath
  • Picture of one the alleged victims of an airstrike on Al-Swani on December 1st, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of one the alleged victims of an airstrike on Al-Swani on December 1st, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of one the alleged victims of an airstrike on Al-Swani on December 1st, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of one the alleged victims of an airstrike on Al-Swani on December 1st, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Picture of the LNA or Emirati airstrike on Al-Swani on December 1st, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army 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

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 5
  • (3 children1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    10–13
  • 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 belligerents
    Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]