Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Incident Code

Lib2011-087

Incident date

May 4, 2011

Location

الحيرة, Al Hira, Al Jafarah, Libya

Geolocation

32.355833, 13.047222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 4th, 2011, NATO airstrikes in the Al Hira area, west of Tripoli, led to reported civilian casualties. State television reported deaths and damage to infrastructure, and was quoted in multiple sources. No specific numbers or details about civilian and belligerent casualties were given.

Al Sharq Al-Awsat said fore example: “Libyan TV announced yesterday that NATO forces bombed the Al-Hira area, west of the capital, Tripoli, causing casualties.

‘The aggression of the Crusader colonial coalition bombed the Al-Hira area a short while ago, which led to human and material losses and damage to the infrastructure,’ it added.”

Other sources quoted the state broadcaster as well.

NATO itself declared that strikes occurred “in the vicinity of Tripoli: 2 Ammunition Storages, 1 Bunker and 1 Surface to Air location”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Al Hira (الحيرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.355833, 13.047222. 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
    2 – 3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known belligerent
    NATO forces
  • Suspected targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (5) [ collapse]

NATO forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    NATO forces
  • NATO forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

NATO forces

In the vicinity of Tripoli: 2 Ammunition Storages, 1 Bunker and 1 Surface to Air location

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known belligerent
    NATO forces
  • Suspected targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (5) [ collapse]