Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

Lib2011-113

Incident date

June 20, 2011

Location

الرويسات, Roiussat, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.364997, 15.110699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child was allegedly killed and his mother severely injured by Gaddafi forces artillery shelling on the Roiussat area of Misurata.

Al Somood reported: “The missile that fell yesterday evening in the Roiussat area was at the house of the Abu Shaiba family. A child was killed and his mother was seriously injured and she is now in the intensive care room.”

Libya Alahrar TV and @RanimMoh wrote he was 16 years old, Al Zawiya said 14.

Al Aan said the father was also injured.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ibrahim Abu Shaiba
16 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Video of the aftermath
  • Another video showing the aftermath

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Roiussat (الرويسات) within the city of Misrata (مصراتة). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Roiussat are: 32.364997, 15.110699.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Roiussat (الرويسات) within the city of Misrata (مصراتة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-005

Incident date

February 17, 2011

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.112582, 20.082151 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 17th, multiple sources reported at least 13 and as many as 20 civilian fatalities and up to 200 more injured by Gaddafi security forces in Benghazi, who were said to have fired live rounds on Gamal Abdel Nasser Street.

Al Jazeera reports “there were reports of six deaths in the Benghazi confrontations, where supporters of the Libyan regime in civilian clothes (thugs) fired live bullets at the demonstrators on Jamal Abdel Nasser Street as well as on Amr bin Al-Aas Street in the city center.”

A Facebook post from Ehab Al Shibani later named the 13 dead.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Taher Issa Bin Sriti
Adult male killed
Naji Juma Jardan Al-Kawafi
18 years old male killed
Marwan Shatthat
20 years old male killed
Idris Ali Raslan al-Maghribi
13 years old male killed
Maoyad Fathy Boujlawi
26 years old male killed
Mohamed Salem Boujnaah
24 years old male killed
Rami Saleh Idres Hammad
18 years old male killed
Saleh Al Din Imhammed Al Jahawi
Child male killed
Ibrahim Muhammad Mahmoud Awun
19 years old male killed
Ahmed Mousa Saleh Al Abidi
29 years old male killed
Fawzi Hussein al-Sabri
36 years old male killed
Hamad al-Alam
27 years old male killed
Moataz Abdul Ati al-Darouki
19 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 20
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–200
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Images of all the victims, taken from https://www.facebook.com/groups/149258408469329/permalink/405694566159044/
  • Salah El-Din Al-Jahawi, taken from https://www.facebook.com/groups/166805546685121/permalink/474239765941696/
  • Images of all the victims, taken from https://www.facebook.com/145805892249838/photos/a.145806865583074/147381082092319/

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Benghazi (بنغازي‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.112582, 20.082151. 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
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    13 – 20
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–200
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-146

Incident date

August 22, 2011

Location

طرابلس‎, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.886602, 13.190912 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between seven and 16 people, including three belligerents, were killed on Abu Salim Highway in Tripoli by Gaddafi snipers on August 22, 2011.

A young man from the Abu Salim area told Libyans that 30 Gaddafi supporters were stationed on the bridge and another group were stationed under the bridge off the highway and they were shooting random cars passing by, especially those with the independence flag.

A video posted by Ahmadov2010 on YouTube shows the bodies of at least four men killed and a video by Son of Abo Salim showed the body of another man killed.

The names of the civilians killed:

Ahmed Ali Aoun

Muhammad Mustafa Al-Ashtar

Muhammad Saad, Muhammad Mushtafa’s cousin

Hazem Abd Al-Salam Al-Marimi

The incident occured at approximately 11:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Ahmed Ali Aoun
Adult male killed
Muhammad Mustafa Al-Ashtar
Adult male killed
Muhammad Saad
Adult male killed
Hazem Abd Al-Salam Al-Marimi
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 13
  • (4 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Ali Aoun
  • Muhammad Saad
  • Tariq Ali Ashkandali .. .. Ibrahim Ali Ashkandali

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • Muhammad Saad

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 13
  • (4 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC430

Incident date

July 22, 2022

Location

شارع المطبات طريق المشتل, Al Matabat street in Al Mashtal road, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.847656, 13.289481 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian, a young man, was killed and four to five other men were injured in shelling carried out by “presidential agencies” on Al Matabat street in Tripoli on July 22, 2022.

According to @tkyroogklshytk, a shell fell on Al-Matabat Street behind the Qadour Clinic near a group of young men sitting on the street, injuring five of them, some of them seriously. Images posted by @tkyroogklshytk show damage to the road and buildings from the shells’ impacts.

24 Hours posted on Facebook that a young man was killed and four others were wounded by shelling from armed militias on a house on Al-Matabat Street. @L1JmG9xosh7fgo1 tweeted that in addition to the civilian killed, five other people were seriously injured.

A Facebook post by Al Marasad reported that young Ashour Al-Qanuni was killed and four of his neighbors’ sons (Ahmed, Al-Azhar, Asil, Haitham) were injured “after a shell fell on them while they were standing in the street in the Ain Zara area after they went out to perform Friday prayers”.

The majority of sources did not identify who was responsible for the shelling, while Al Marasad posted on Facebook that the “presidential agencies” carried out the shelling, indicating the Government of National Accord (GNA) was involved.

@taqarifatnews reported that the shelling caused a fire inside the wall of a house.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Ahmed
male injured
Al-Azhar
male injured
Asil Al Shabah
male injured
Haitham
male injured

The victims were named as:

Ashour Al-Qanuni أجهزة الرئاسي
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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
    GNA/Turkish Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Damage caused by shelling on Al Matabat street in Tripoli on July 22, 2022. (Image posted by @tkyroogklshytk)
  • Damage caused by shelling on Al Matabat street in Tripoli on July 22, 2022. (Image posted by @tkyroogklshytk)
  • Damage caused by shelling on Al Matabat street in Tripoli on July 22, 2022. (Image posted by @tkyroogklshytk)
  • Blood from victims of shelling on Al Matabat street in Tripoli on July 22, 2022. (Image posted by @tkyroogklshytk)
  • Smoke caused by shelling on Al Matabat street in Tripoli on July 22, 2022. (Image posted by @tkyroogklshytk)
  • Smoke caused by shelling on Al Matabat street in Tripoli on July 22, 2022. (Image posted by @tkyroogklshytk)
  • Ashour Al-Qanuni, killed by shelling on Al Matabat street in Tripoli on July 22, 2022. (Image posted by @L1JmG9xosh7fgo1)
  • Ashour Al-Qanuni, killed by shelling on Al Matabat street in Tripoli on July 22, 2022. (Image posted by Mohammed Al Shefer via Facebook)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a strike in the vicinity of Al Mashtal Road (طريق المشتل) in the Ain Zara (عين زارة) neighbourhood of Tripoli (طرابلس). The generic coordinates for Al Mashtal Road are: 32.847656, 13.289481. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

GNA/Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–5
  • 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
    GNA/Turkish Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ069

Incident date

October 1, 2018

Location

طرابلس‎: مطار معيتيقة, Tripoli: Mitiga International Airport, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.895041, 13.2785 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Various local sources reported artillery shelling on Tripoli Mitiga Airport leading to a temporary suspension of flights.

218 TV said: “The international airport of Mitiga announced the suspension of its flights until further notice, due to the repeated exposure to indiscriminate missiles by unknown parties who haven’t as yet revealed their identity.”

Libya Alahrar TV wrote that “the Minister of the Interior in the Government of National Accord, Abdul Salam Ashour, reported the fall of a shell at the airport of Muaitika International without causing any damage.

For its part, the international airport announced on its Facebook page to suspend flights to the airport until further notice, without giving details.”

The Libya Observer said flights were resumed a day later.

Reports of indiscriminate artillery shelling point at the 7th Brigade or GNA-affiliated militias as the perpetrator.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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, 7th Brigade

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Images of the aftermath
  • More pictures of the incident

Government of National Accord Assessment:

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

7th Brigade Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    7th Brigade
  • 7th Brigade position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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, 7th Brigade

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ021

Incident date

January 5, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Libya

Airwars assessment

The LNA reported that it conducted airstrikes against what it described as terrorists in the neighbourhoods of Hawari, the fish market, and Bosnib, along with other targets in the Western part of the city. Al Arabiya reported that a MiG-21 was also shot down by ISIS during the bombings, crashing without reported loss of life in a suburban area.

Despite the heavy strikes on the city, no civilian casualties were publicly reported at the time. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

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
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-104

Incident date

June 5, 2011

Location

طرابلس‎, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.886602, 13.190912 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was possibly injured in a NATO airstrike on Tripoli.

A video report uploaded by Adam Nafusa says that the government had claimed the child was injured by an airstrike, while a hospital worker insisted they had been injured in a car accident.

Reuters also said it had learned from a hospital staff member that the child was injured in an accident.

NATO itself and other sources only reported airstrikes on Tripoli but no civilian harm.

Throughout the whole 2011 NATO intervention some independent monitors assessed that the Gaddafi regime had routinely fabricated civilian harm allegations.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Video showing the supposed victim

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Tripoli (طرابلس‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.886602, 13.190912. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

NATO forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

NATO forces
Official source

In Tripoli: 1 Command & Control Facility. In the vicinity of Tripoli: 2 Command & Control Facilities, 1 Surface-To-Air Missile Storage Facility, 1 Ground Forces Compound, 1 Air Defence Forces Compound, 4 Surface-To-Air Missile Launchers, 1 Radar.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known targets
    Gaddafi forces, Other

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC216

Incident date

October 12, 2019

Location

شارع البل, Al Bal Street, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.867722, 13.197419 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child was allegedly killed by LNA mortar shelling in the Khallet Al Furjan neighbourhood of Tripoli.

The Libya Observer reported: “The Joint Deterrence and Intervention Force of Abu Salim have confirmed the death of a child as a result of a mortar shell which hit their home in Albill Street in Khallet Al Furjan area.

‘The 13-year-old child was hit by a missile fired by Haftar’s militias at their house. The boy suffered head injuries and died immediately at the site,’ the force said on Facebook.”

While most other sources published similar accounts, Hona Souq Al-Khmies said: “A child killed from the family of Hussein Al-Ferjani named Ali at the age of 10 years.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali al-Ferjani
13 years old male Age also reported as 10 killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Covered body of Ali Alfurjani, allegedly killed by LNA shelling on Aziziya on October 12th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Body of Ali Alfurjani, allegedly killed by LNA shelling on Aziziya on October 12th, 2019 (via Libya Ahrar TV)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Body of Ali Alfurjani, allegedly killed by LNA shelling on Aziziya on October 12th, 2019 (via Libya Alahrar TV)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Al Bal Street (شارع البل), allegedly in the vicinity of Castle Bakery (مخبز القلعة). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Castle Bakery are: 32.867722, 13.197419.

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
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 (10) [ collapse]