Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

LC435

Incident date

May 28, 2023

Location

الماية, Al Maya, Al Zawiyah, Libya

Airwars assessment

As many as seven civilians were injured by alleged airstrikes carried out by the Government of National Unity on a port in Al Maya the evening of May 28, 2023. Between two and five members of the Coast Guard/Stability Support Agency were also killed in the airstrikes.

A tweet from @rgowans reported that with the use of Turkish drones, the GNU conducted airstrike against the Libyan Coast Security base and port in Al Maya, resulting in destruction to 10 marine vessels and the death of five Coast Security officers, as well as an “unspecified” number injured. @wady_dynar provided the casualty toll that two young men were killed and seven others were wounded.

AFP identified at least two people killed and several others wounded in the port of Al Maya. MP Ali Abu Zariba posted on Facebook that “My nephew Mohamad Abu Zariba was hit in the raid on al-Maya” in addition to photos that circulated showing his nephew wounded in the hospital. Al Zawiya Al Hadath 24 added in a Facebook post that Mohamad is also the nephew of the Minister of Interior Issam Abu Zariba. Al Wasat News also named “Muhammad al-Fitouri” and “Abd al-Azim al-Hattab” from the Abu Surra region as being injured in the bombing.

A Facebook post from Tarhouna 24 named “Muhammad Al-Shteiwi” and “Sami Al-Qadiri,” two young men, as being killed in the airstrikes. @ObservatoryLY identified Muhammad as the “commander of the headquarters of the Stability Support Agency, al-Gharbia branch – al-Hashan” and Sami as “one of the members of the “55th Infantry Battalion” led by Muammar al-Dhawi.”

The incident occured in the evening.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad al-Fitouri
Age unknown injured
Abd al-Azim al-Hattab
Age unknown injured
Muhammad Adnan Abu Zariba
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    None known
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected belligerent
    Government of National Accord
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–5

Sources (24) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • Smoke from alleged GNU airstrikes on Al Maya port on May 28, 2023. (Image posted by @Lyobserver)
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Al Zawiya Al Hadath 24
  • "Muhammad Al-Shteiwi" and "Sami Al-Qadiri," two young men identified as members of the tability Support Agency killed by alleged GNU airstrikes on Al Maya port on May 28, 2023. (Image posted by Tarhouna 24 via Facebook)
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Tarhouna 24
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Mohamad Abu Zariba, nephew of MP Ali Abu Zariba who was injured by alleged GNU airstrikes on Al Maya port on May 28, 2023. (Image posted by Tarhouna 24 via Facebook)
  • Video: The moment a Turkish drone bombed the Maya port
  • Effects of air strikes on an armed boat used for human trafficking in the port of Maya.
  • Smoke from alleged GNU airstrikes on Al Maya port on May 28, 2023. (Image posted by @libyapress2010)
  • Smoke from alleged GNU airstrikes on Al Maya port on May 28, 2023. (Image posted by @libyapress2010)
  • Smoke from alleged GNU airstrikes on Al Maya port on May 28, 2023. (Image posted by @libyapress2010)
  • Footage of the port of Maya after the bombing by the drone
  • Smoke from alleged GNU airstrikes on Al Maya port on May 28, 2023. (Image posted by @abaadnews_ly)
  • Smoke from alleged GNU airstrikes on Al Maya port on May 28, 2023. (Image posted by @abaadnews_ly)

Government of National Accord Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    None known
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–7
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Suspected belligerent
    Government of National Accord
  • Belligerents reported killed
    2–5

Sources (24) [ collapse]