Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

LC273

Incident date

January 4, 2020

Location

طرابلس‎: الكلية العسكرية, Tripoli: Military College, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.840868, 13.201485 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In a massive incident, between 20 and 30 people were killed and 33 others injured in an alleged LNA or Emirati airstrike that targeted a military school in Al Hadaba, Tripoli, Libya on January, 4th, 2020, according to local sources. Libya Al Ahrar reported that victims of this attack don’t exceed the age of 25 years.

While the majority of casualties are among combatants, Al Wasat reported that there have also been civilian casualties.

Akhbar Libya reported from other sources that a shell landed on the college’s square during an evening gathering and that it wasn’t clear whether the attack was deliberate or not.

According to 218TV, the Media Department of the Ministry of Health in Al-Wefaq government confirmed that the final outcome of targeting the Military College in Tripoli is 30 dead, including two unidentified bodies, and 33 wounded.

Libya Al Ahrar said that the initial examination of the remnants of the missile used in the attack revealed that “the missile, a ‘Blue Arrow Seven’, was launched from a Chinese-made ‘Wing Loong’ drones, in which the UAE supported Haftar’s militants, according to reports of the United Nations Committee of Experts concerned.”

According to Al Wasat “it is not possible to count the number of dead due to the scattering shreds.” It also quoted LNA spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari saying: “The explosion was from inside the college and not from outside it.” Al Wasat added that “he pointed to pictures of the bombing as evidence of what he said was ‘the absence of traces of shells in the college.'”

The Libya Observer later updated the death toll among the cadets to 32. Additionally it said that “The Government of National Accord condemned the airstrike and declared three days of mourning in the country.

Reacting to the airstrike, Minister of Interior Fathi Bashagha urged the government to cut ties with the United Arab Emirates immediately.

Shortly after the massacre, thousands of people went to the streets of Tripoli.”

A BBC investigation later found that the strike was most likely conducted by an Emirati Wing Loong II drone.

The incident occured at approximately 9:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 attackers
    Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military
  • Suspected target
    GNA
  • Belligerents reported killed
    20–32
  • Belligerents reported injured
    12–33

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (11) [ collapse]

  • Wounded in the hospital after an airstrike by troops allegedly loyal to Gen Khalifa Haftar on a military school in Al Hadaba, Tripoli, on January 4th, 2020 (via Al Wasat).
  • Wounded in the hospital after alleged airstrike by troops loyal to Gen Khalifa Haftar on a military school in Al Hadaba, Tripoli, on January 4th, 2020 (via Al Wasat).
  • Wounded in the hospital after an airstrike by troops allegedly loyal to Gen Khalifa Haftar on a military school in Al Hadaba, Tripoli, on January 4th, 2020 (via Al Wasat).
  • Wounded in the hospital after an airstrike by troops allegedly loyal to Gen Khalifa Haftar on a military school in Al Hadaba, Tripoli, on January 4th, 2020 (via Al Wasat).
  • Wounded in the hospital after an airstrike by troops allegedly loyal to Gen Khalifa Haftar on a military school in Al Hadaba, Tripoli, on January 4th, 2020 (via Libya Al Ahrar).
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Wounded in the hospital after an airstrike by troops allegedly loyal to Gen Khalifa Haftar on a military school in Al Hadaba, Tripoli, on January 4th, 2020 (via Libya Al Ahrar).
  • Aftermath of the attack on the military academy allegedly by LNA on January 4th, 2020 (via 218TV).
  • Aftermath of the alleged LNA attack on the military academy in Al Hadaba, Tripoli on January 4th, 2020 (via Libya Observer).
  • Images of bodies of students in the military college who got killed allegedly by LNA forces on January 5th, 2020 (via @Lyobserver)
  • Images of bodies of students in the military college who got killed allegedly by LNA forces on January 5th, 2020 (via @Lyobserver)
  • Remnants of the rocket that hit the military college in Al Hadaba in Tripoli on January 4th, 2020 (via Libya Al Ahrar).

Geolocation notes

Reports mention the Military College (الكلية العسكرية) in the Hadaba (الهضبة) area of Tripoli (طرابلس‎). The coordinates for the military college are: 32.840868 13.201485.

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 infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 attackers
    Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military
  • Suspected target
    GNA
  • Belligerents reported killed
    20–32
  • Belligerents reported injured
    12–33

Sources (26) [ collapse]