Incident Code

Lib2011-100

Location

زليتن, Zliten, Misrata, Libya

Geolocation

32.466659, 14.566591
Accuracy: City

Airwars Assessment

Last Updated: December 15, 2024

(Previous Incident Code: LN019a)

On May 30th, 2011, multiple sources reported NATO airstrikes on Zliten, which were said to have killed 11 people – although their status was unclear.

RT said: “Libyan television announced on Monday, May 30th, that NATO launched air strikes on the town of Zliten on the coastal road linking Tripoli and Misrata, killing 11 people.”

The state-run Libyan News Agency reported “many injured”, but no number was provided and this was not confirmed by any other source.

The airstrikes were reported by France 24 to have been on the Wadi Kaam region of Zliten. It noterd that “The official Libyan News Agency reported that ‘civilian and military sites’ in the Wadi Kaam area in Zliten were subjected to raids on Monday by ‘the colonial Crusader aggression,’ pointing to ‘the fall of 11 martyrs’ and wounding many others.”

NATO itself did not report strikes near Zliten on that day, and some independent monitors after the war said that some claims by Gaddafi regime-affiliated media had been found to be exaggerated or fabricated

Key Information

Country
Military Actor
Strike Type
Airstrike
Strike Status
Likely strike
Civilian Harm Reported
Yes
Civilian Harm Status
Contested
Causes of Death / Injury
Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
Civilians reported killed
1–11
Civilians reported injured
1–12

Geolocation Notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Zliten (زليتن), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.466659, 14.566591. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Military Statements

NATO forces Assessment
Suspected belligerent
NATO forces
NATO forces position on incident
Not yet assessed