Incident Code

Lib2011-069

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Misrata, Libya

Geolocation

32.374457, 15.087794
Accuracy: City

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: LG009)

At least 16 civilians were reportedly killed in indiscriminate shelling by Gaddafi regime forces on Misurata.

Human Rights Watch reported: “Libyan government forces have launched indiscriminate rocket and mortar attacks on residential neighborhoods in the rebel-held city of Misrata, Human Rights Watch said today. One strike, apparently by a Grad rocket, killed at least eight civilians waiting in line for bread. Another attack, apparently with a mortar round, hit a medical clinic, wounding four others.

At least 16 civilians have been killed in indiscriminate attacks since April 14, 2011, Human Rights Watch said, based on witness and survivor accounts, as well as inspections of the impact sites. Human Rights Watch found no evidence of military activity in the areas that came under attack, and witnesses said rebel fighters were not present in those areas when the attacks took place.”

Al Jazeera also reported on the shelling, showing the bodies of civilians and rocket fragments.

The Telegraph put the number of victims at 23, saying that “most of the dead were reported to be women and children, along with three Egyptian migrant workers waiting to be evacuated.”

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Artillery
Strike Status
Likely strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Fair
Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
16–23
4–6 Children, 4–6 Women, 3 Men
Civilians reported injured
4

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Misurata (مصراتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.374457, 15.087794. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Media From Sources (1)