Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

LC434

Incident date

May 25, 2023

Location

السيدة زينب, Al Saida Zainab, Al Zawiya, Libya

Airwars assessment

A civilian was slightly injured, in addition to several personnel affiliated with the ministry, by declared Government of National Unity (GNU)/Turkish drone or air strikes near the Sayeda Zeinab area on May 25, 2023.

A tweet from @wady_dynar quoted spokesman for the Ambulance and Emergency Service, Osama Ali, who reported that “a person was slightly injured as a result of bombing near the Sayeda Zeinab area, south of Al-Zawiya” while the bombing in the Al Maya port did not result in any injuries. @omarbosadh reported “dead and wounded” from the bombing but did not specify who or how many.

The Government of National Unity (GNU) announced that the strikes ordered by interim Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah had “successfully hit their targets” which were “hideouts used by gangs of smugglers in fuel, narcotics and humans” around Zawiya, as reported by the News Arab.

However, the parliament, which is based in the east of the country, said that the target of the strikes was the home of Zawiya lawmaker Ali Bouzribah, who is a rival of the GNU government: “Parliament followed with deep concern the drone strike on Zawiya targeting the home of the city’s representative Ali Bouzribah” and the “flagrant attack… on civilians and civilian installations” said the speaker’s office. Reuters reported that according to the parliament, several personnel affiliated with the ministry were injured.

The News Arab reported that drone strikes occurred around Al-Maya, a small port. A video posted by Al Zawiya Al Hadath 24 on Facebook shows a military vehicle at a Stabilization and Support headquarters in Abu Surra. According to Reuters, three residents of Zawiya said that they heard explosions and one also heard gunfire.

The LibyaHerald stated that despite the Defense Ministry having declared the strikes, many believe that the strikes were carried out by Turkish drones, with @libyapress2010 specifically referring to Turkish Bayraktar drones. Reuters pointed out that the GNU government has no known air power of its own.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    GNA/Turkish Military

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Al Zawiya Al Hadath
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Al Zawiya Al Hadath 24
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Al Zawiya Al Anqaa

GNA/Turkish Military Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    GNA/Turkish Military
  • GNA/Turkish Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

GNA/Turkish Military

#Statement of the Ministry of Defense regarding air strikes in the West Coast region
In the name of God, the most gracious, the most merciful
The Ministry of Defense reports that our national aviation carried out accurate and targeted air strikes this morning against the hideouts of fuel smuggling gangs, drug trafficking and human trafficking in the West Coast region, and by the grace of God, they were successful strikes that achieved their desired goals.
The Ministry of Defense, while carrying out its national mission under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister, confirms the implementation of the instructions and the military plan set in order to purify the areas of the West Coast and the rest of Libya from the dens of crime and gang actions, and that it will never delay in carrying out its national duty.
The Ministry of Defense also calls on all citizens to fully cooperate with the military forces and the General Staff in military operations, which will not stop until all of its objectives are achieved.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    GNA/Turkish Military

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ040

Incident date

April 18, 2017

Location

بنغازي‎, Sabri, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.136111, 20.078889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Various local sources reported heavy joint LNA and UAE air raids on “terrorist targets” in multiple Benghazi neighbourhoods near Sabri, the fish market and Sidi Akhribesh. The 18 UAE strikes were reportedly conducted by aircraft including an AT-802U.

There were no public reports of civilian harm at the time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

United Arab Emirates Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    United Arab Emirates Military
  • United Arab Emirates Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC133

Incident date

May 3, 2019

Location

الكريمية, Al Keramiya, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.771657, 13.086650 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was allegedly injured by indiscriminate artillery shelling in Al Keramia area.

FMSC reported: “A child was injured as a result of the armed clashes and treated by the medical team in a field clinic of the field medicine and support center.”

Local reports of fighting point at the GNA or LNA as the perpetrator of the shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Picture of the alleged victim

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Keramiya (الكريمية), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.771657, 13.086650. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Keramia (الكريمية).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Government of National Accord Assessment:

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

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC150

Incident date

June 12, 2019

Location

طرابلس‎, Tripoli: Salaheddin, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.824311, 13.205922 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In the evening of June 12th, an airstrike struck the Customs Authority building in Salaheddin neighbourhood of Tripoli. A source told the The Libya Observer that the airstrike was carried out by “an aircraft belonging to warlord Khalifa Haftar”. According to the source, the explosion caused damage to nearby houses and injured several civilians, among whom were a man, a woman and her two children. One child was reported to be in critical condition.

An on-the-ground investigation by Amnesty International later said: “Another LNA air strike on 12 June 2019 targeted a very large house – owned by the Qreira family, in the final stages of being built, and located near a military camp – injuring a woman and a man in two adjacent homes. The woman, Hawa Jibril, told Amnesty International:

‘I was at home alone with my two daughters, aged 10 and 11. At about 6.30 or 7pm an air strike hit a field behind our house which is being built next to our home where we are living. I got scared and took my girls and run to the gate, to go out, but just as we got to the gate there was another massive strike on our house, the one which is being built, and the force of the blast threw us against the gate. Luckily my girls were not injured as I had wrapped myself around them. I smashed my face against the gate and broke my front teeth and sustained injuries all over my face and the eye, and all over my body, my back, my legs and arms. Now I have not yet recovered and my girls are still very traumatised, especially the younger one. Our neighbour was also injured but luckily less seriously.’

Fragments recovered by Amnesty International investigators at the scene of the strike on the civilian home confirm that the weapon was an unguided French SAMP 250kg bomb.”

The incident occured at approximately 7:00 pm local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Video showing damage caused by an airstrike that struck nearby on June 12th (via the Libya Observer). Audio Translation: "As a result of the shelling that took place outside, the force of the explosion harmed the family inside this house, resulting in material damage and injury, wounding the mother and her two children "An old man was also seriously injured by the indiscriminate bombardment of another house in the neighborhood” a fighter from the volcano of Rage operations said. "

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the customs authority building in Salaheddin, The coordinates for the customs authority building are: 32.824311 13.205922

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC210

Incident date

October 3, 2019

Location

كلية الشرطة, Police College, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.798504, 13.221171 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reportedly killed by shelling in the south of Tripoli.

Hona Souq Al-Khmies reported: “Shells falling in front of the Police College in Al Khalla, killing a Pakistani hired worker named Rehan and the outbreak of fire in the house.”

Local reports of fighting point at GNA or LNA as perpetrators of the shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rehan
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Police College ( كلية الشرطة) within Khela Ben Oun (خلة بن عون) for which the generic coordinates are: 32.798504, 13.221171. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Government of National Accord Assessment:

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

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC247

Incident date

November 18, 2019

Location

الرويسات, Al Ruwaisat, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Up to 13 civilians were reportedly injured in an LNA or foreign airstrike on Misurata.

According to Al Wasat twelve people were injured.

The Libya Observer reported: “13 people wounded in intense airstrikes believed to be conducted by foreign warplanes allied to warlord Haftar on locations inside residential areas in Misrata Monday night.”

Al Wasat said in addition: “The Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord on Tuesday condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist aerial bombardment that targeted locations in the capital Tripoli and Misurata city, pointing out that the airstrikes were carried out by ‘foreign aviation’.”

Akhbar Libya 24 wrote: “Misurata Medical Center reported on Tuesday that it received 13 wounded civilians, including a woman as a result of the bombing of ammunition stores and armored vehicles in a raid carried out by the Air Force.

The air force launched night raids targeting 19 new armored vehicles that arrived in Misrata on Monday from Turkey, after being stored in an industrial area in the city center for use in the ground of military operations.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–13
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Libyan National Army, Unknown

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • Video of the incident
  • Impact of the airstrike on Misurata on November 18th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Building damaged by the airstrike on Misurata on November 18th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Another picture of the building damaged by the airstrike on Misurata on November 18th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Another picture of the building damaged by the airstrike on Misurata on November 18th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Another picture of the building damaged by the airstrike on Misurata on November 18th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • A victim being carried into an ambulance after an airstrike on Misurata on November 18th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Ambulance arriving after an airstrike on Misurata on November 18th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • A victim being carried into the hospital after an airstrike on Misurata on November 18th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • A victim being carried into the hospital after an airstrike on Misurata on November 18th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • A victim being bandaged after an airstrike on Misurata on November 18th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Night-time strike on Misurata on November 18th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the area of Al Ruwaisat (الرويسات), 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.

  • Reports of the incident mention the area of Al Ruwaisat (الرويسات).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–13
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Libyan National Army, Unknown

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC272a

Incident date

January 3, 2020

Location

عرادة, Arada, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.871846, 13.245006 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family home was reportedly hit by indiscriminate shelling in the Arada neigbourhood of Tripoli, resulting in possible civilian harm.

Tk Yahroug Kl shy said: “One of the shells hit the house of the Kariyma family in Arada, and there were reports of injuries.”

There is currently no further information available.

Local reports of clashes point at the GNA or LNA  forces as the origin of the shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Arada (عرادة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.871846, 13.245006. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Arada (عرادة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Government of National Accord Assessment:

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

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC307

Incident date

February 29, 2020

Location

طريق السكة, Al Seka Road, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.878485, 13.194647 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven people from one family were allegedly injured by LNA shelling on Ain Zara.

Libya Alahrar TV said: “The Field Medicine and Support Center in Tripoli confirmed that 7 people from one family were injured after a shell fired by Haftar militia landed on their house in the Ain Zara area, Al-Sekka road.

The center added, through its official page, that among the wounded was a 3-year-old girl, all of whom were taken to the Qaddor clinic, near the area, to receive the necessary treatment.”

Other sources published similar reports.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

29 years old female injured
36 years old female injured
34 years old male injured
62 years old female injured
63 years old female injured
3 years old female injured
1 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Video of shelling on Ain Zara
  • Child allegedly injured by LNA shelling on Ain Zara on February 29th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Child allegedly injured by LNA shelling on Ain Zara on February 29th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Victim allegedly injured by LNA shelling on Ain Zara on February 29th, 2020 (via FMSC)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Al Seka Road (طريق السكة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.878485, 13.194647. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention Al Seka Road (طريق السكة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (5) [ collapse]