Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

LC301

Incident date

February 24, 2020

Location

مسجد الزبير بن العوام, Zubair Mosque, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.847941, 13.173845 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and five civilians were allegedly injured by LNA shelling on the Abu Salim area of Tripoli.

218TV reported two “severe” injuries.

Libya Observer said three people were injured.

Al Wasat reported five injured and added: “The spokesperson for the Ministry of Health in the Al-Wefaq government [GNA], Amin Al-Hashemi, announced the names of the injured children who had fallen as a result of shells on the Abu Salim municipality.

According to Al-Hashemi, the shells left 5 wounded, including three children from one family, Ahmed Harb Ali Al-Bouzdi, 10 years old (M), who was wounded with shrapnel at the heart level and needed an urgent operation, And his brother and sister Rim, 15 years old (F), injured in the feet and Ayham, 7 years old, injured on his a face (M).”

Other sources said five civilians were injured, accusing the LNA.

The GNA-led Burkan Al Ghadab operation published two different posts on civilian casualties in Abu Salim, accumulating to six people wounded. Besides the three children mentioned above it reported: “A team from the center toured the field to find out the injuries left by the fall of a shell this evening, Monday, February 24, 2020 in Abu Salim area, next to the Zubair mosque, on the citizens sitting in a funeral and caused the following injuries.”

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

10 years old male wounded by shrapnel at the heart level injured
15 years old female injured in the feet injured
7 years old male facial injury injured

The victims were named as:

52 years old male wounded in the hand injured
50 years old male wounded in the left leg injured
12 years old female mildly injured injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • 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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video showing the victims
  • Child allegedly injured by LNA shelling on Abu Salim on February 24th, 2020 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Child allegedly injured by LNA shelling on Abu Salim on February 24th, 2020 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Child allegedly injured by LNA shelling on Abu Salim on February 24th, 2020 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Child allegedly injured by LNA shelling on Abu Salim on February 24th, 2020 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Child allegedly injured by LNA shelling on Abu Salim on February 24th, 2020 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Zubair Mosque (مسجد الزبير بن العوام) for which the generic coordinates are: 32.847941, 13.173845. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–6
  • 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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (11) [ collapse]