Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

Lib2011-086

Incident date

May 3, 2011

Location

الرويسات, Al Ruwaisat, Misrata, Libya

Geolocation

32.366517, 15.110012 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 3rd, 2011, Gaddafi forces reportedly bombed Misurata after NATO planes had left the area.

Al Jazeera said: “Fighting broke out between the rebels and the Gaddafi Brigades in the southern and eastern suburbs of Misrata, and the rebels said they repelled an attack by tanks belonging to the brigades.

Sources reported that 55 civilians were killed and wounded in battles since last night, and the sporadic shelling of the Ruwaisat area continued, in which warehouses of goods were burned.”

Another local source, Resistance Misurata, suggested that no civilians may in fact have been killed: “Thankfully, no news has been received so far about cases of wounded or martyrs among civilians as a result of the intermittent shelling of the terrorist forces on the city.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Al Ruwaisat (الرويسات) in the city of Misurata (مصراتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.366517, 15.110012. 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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    55
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Gaddafi Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    55
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]