Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure
text search
767 Results
sort by:
Sort by:
Incident date
Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

LC056

Incident date

January 2, 2017

Location

قنفودة, Ganfouda, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.028594, 20.026959 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Alnabaa reported that an unmanned drone targeted a residential area in Ganfouda with four raids and killed three civilians and injured several people including children.

Tayseer Mohammad Tarban Abu Abdullah said that a civilian house was hit, while the same source claimed that the strike was conducted by the UAE.

Saraya Media Center reported on Telegram that three people were killed and three more injured. In the images it appears that a child was injured.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Images of those likely killed and injured in the strike from Saraya Media Center

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Ganfouda (قنفودة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.028594, 20.026959. 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 Ganfouda (قنفودة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC128

Incident date

April 27, 2019

Location

الطويشة, Altwaisha, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.639449, 13.111109 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and three civilians were reported killed by a GNA airstrike on Qasr Bin Gashir.

Mahmoud Al-Dakhli wrote: “The last victim of the indiscriminate shelling is the house of my mother Shaaban Gmeid al-Jalidy, which resulted in the death of the child Rabia Muftah Shaaban Gmeid al-Jalidy and her sister, Janan, and the rest of the family with minor injuries, including the adults.”

Tripoli Operations Room said that “preliminary statistics refer to the ‘killing of 3 children’ and ‘many wounded’.”

Tripoli Alaan only said that the house of Shaaban Gmeid al-Jalidy was hit but did not mention civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Rabia Muftah Shaaban Gmeid al-Jalidy
Child female Sister of Janan Muftah Shaaban Gmeid al-Jalidy killed
Janan Muftah Shaaban Gmeid al-Jalidy
Child female Sister of Rabia Muftah Shaaban Gmeid al-Jalidy injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Government of National Accord

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of the aftermath and on of the victims

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Altwaisha (الطويشة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.639449, 13.111109. 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 Altwaisha (الطويشة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Government of National Accord Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 3
  • (1–3 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Government of National Accord

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC156

Incident date

June 26, 2019

Location

وادي الربيع, Wadi al Rabie, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.709600, 13.382378 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were allegedly killed by indiscriminate shelling on the Wadi al Rabie neighbourhood of Tajoura.

LCNA reported: “A random shell landed Tuesday night on the house of Mohammed Salim al-Mazouji in the Wadi Al Rabie area, killing two of his sons, in addition to his granddaughter while they were inside the house.”

Other sources published similar reports.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 men)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Wadi Al Rabie (الطويشة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.709600, 13.382378. 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 Wadi Al Rabie (الطويشة).

    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 type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (1 child2 men)
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-081

Incident date

April 30, 2011

Location

الساحة الخضراء, Green Square, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.895377, 13.183859 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several members of the Gaddafi family were reported to have been killed by a NATO airstrike on Tripoli.

While Saif al-Arab Gaddafi, son of Muammar Gaddafi, was reportedly a member of the military, his children clearly had non-combatant status due to their young age.

CNN reported: “The Libyan government said Sunday that Gadhafi’s son, Saif al-Arab Gadhafi, and three grandchildren died in the strike that destroyed the son’s home in Tripoli. The Libyan government identified the children as Saif al-Arab’s sons Gartaj Hannibal Muammar al-Gadhafi, age 3, and 2-year-old Saif Mohammad al-Gadhafi, as well as Mastoura Hamid Abuzitaia, the daughter of the leader’s daughter Aysha.”

It added that “the building was in a residential area of Tripoli that houses several embassies. Ibrahim called the bombing a “war crime.” The strike destroyed the two-bedroom, single-story house, leaving a massive crater in its place.”

Later, then-Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi casted doubt that Saif al-Arab was actually dead. However his brother’s girlfriend later confirmed his death with The Telegraph.

NATO itself reported that it hit “1 Command & Control Building” and “7 Ammunition Storages” in Tripoli on that day but did not mention civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Gartaj Hannibal Muammar al-Gaddafi
3 years old male Son of Saif al-Arab Gaddafi killed
Saif Mohammad al-Gaddafi
2 years old male Son of Saif al-Arab Gaddafi killed
Mastoura Hamid Abuzitaia
Child male Daughter of Aysha Gaddafi killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • A picture supposedly from the site of the incident (via Alwatan Voice)
  • Another picture supposedly from the site of the incident (via Alwatan Voice)
  • Another picture supposedly from the site of the incident (via Alwatan Voice)
  • Another picture supposedly from the site of the incident (via Alwatan Voice)
  • Another picture supposedly from the site of the incident (via Alwatan Voice)
  • Another picture supposedly from the site of the incident (via Alwatan Voice)
  • Another picture supposedly from the site of the incident (via Alwatan Voice)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Green Square (الساحة الخضراء)  for which the generic coordinates are: 32.895377, 13.183859. 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
    Non credible / Unsubstantiated
    Insufficient information to assess that, more likely than not, a Coalition strike resulted in civilian casualties.
  • Reason for non-credible assessment
    Insufficient evidence of civilian harm
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

NATO forces
  • Mar 8, 2012

  • This site was a key node for regime-associated forces in Tripoli, and served as an alternate command authority site for the Libyan leadership. The critical element of this facility was the command building. While several VIP buildings and satellite communication dishes were also located at this site, these were neither targeted nor struck. Destruction of the command building degraded the regime command authority’s backup command and control capabilities and in turn its overall military effectiveness. As noted above, civilians and specific individuals were at no point targeted during OUP. Full-motion video acquired by manned aircraft and UAVs at the time of the strike indicated that no civilians were in the target area. In addition, the strike was conducted at night to reduce the possibility that transient personal would be in the target area. Multiple smaller munitions were utilized on. A single building to minimize collateral damage to surrounding buildings within the installation.

Original strike reports

NATO forces
Official source

30 April: In Tripoli area: 1 Command & Control Building, 7 Ammunition Storages.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 children)
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC178

Incident date

August 5, 2019

Location

اربع شوارع الحافلة المحروقة, Vicinity of the Burnt Bus Junction, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

30.830404, 16.541043 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were allegedly killed in a Turkish airstrike near Sirte.

Lana News wrote: “Two people were killed and a child was wounded by a Turkish warplane that supported the Al-Wifaq militia, which targeted a Sirte truck and another civilian vehicle near the city of Sirte.

Medical sources at Ibn Sina hospital in Sirte said on Monday that a truck driver and his companion were killed while their trucks were being targeted.”

It added: “The victim was travelling from Sabha to Benghazi and was shot and then shelled at the intersection known as the “burned bus junction” on the road of Waddan – Abu Hadi.”

Afrigate reported: “Two people were killed and a child was wounded by a Turkish warplane that supported the Al-Wefaq militia [GNA], which targeted a truck from Sirte and another civilian vehicle near the city of Sirte.

Medical sources at Ibn Sina hospital in Sirte said on Monday that a truck driver and his companion were killed while their trucks were being targeted.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Sami Suleiman Meftah Bouferneh
Adult male Father killed
Mahab
11 years old male Son injured

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Salem Al Qarqai
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Picture of one of the alleged victims (via Akhbar Libya 24)
  • Picture of the injured child (via Akhbar Libya 24)
  • The alleged aftermath of the incident (via Akhbar Libya 24)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Burnt Bus Junction (اربع شوارع الحافلة المحروقة), for which the generic coordinates are: 30.796363, 16.538437. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC157

Incident date

July 1, 2019

Location

الهضبة, Al Hadba, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.842961, 13.190935 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reportedly killed in an LNA airstrike on the Al Hadba neighbourhood of Tripoli.

February TV said: “Haftar planes targeted the homes of civilians in Al Hadba, which led to the death of a child and her father and injured two members of her family today in Tripoli.”

Libya Alahrar TV claimed four civilians were injured: “The killing of a child and her father and four others wounded, including children, as a result of the bombing of the Haftar forces on Al Hadba.”

Tarhuna 24 reported the incident was caused by a Grad rocket and a man and his nephew were killed.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Salah Mohammed Al Abilak
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Pictures of the alleged victims
  • More pictures of the alleged victims

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Hadba (الهضبة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.842961, 13.190935. 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 Hadba (الهضبة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Libyan National Army Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–4
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC054

Incident date

December 16, 2016

Location

قنفودة, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.028594, 20.026959 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to two civilians died and as many as three more were wounded in an alleged UAE airstrike on a residential area in Ganfouda, Benghazi, local media reported.

Alnabaa tweeted that “a source from Ganfouda said the two were killed in a foreign bombing of a family home in the area”.

According to Emhona “a man, a woman and a child were injured when a UAE drone bombed the Qanfouda residential area”.

UNSMIL said in its monthly report that one person – a boy – was injured.

Saraya Media Center claimed on Telegram that the strike was conducted by the UAE and posted a picture of a boy injured in the attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A picture published by Saraya Media Center shows one of the children injured in the strike (Source: Shura Benghazi)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Ganfouda (قنفودة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.028594, 20.026959. 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 Ganfouda (قنفودة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC097

Incident date

September 23–24, 2018

Location

خلة الفرجان, Khallet Al Furjan, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.795738, 13.217038 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed and another one was reported missing, probably due to indiscriminate artillery shelling in Tripoli.

Alaraby wrote: “The clashes continued sporadically, southeast of the capital Tripoli, on Monday, amid the continued shelling on civilians, while the government of reconciliation is silent about the situation.

The sounds of rockets and missiles, which show the continuation of the war in the southeast of the capital, did not stop, while a number of remote neighbourhoods were hit by the indiscriminate rocket fire on the homes of the residents.”

The Tripoli Wounded Affairs Administration reported two people dead, one confirmed and one missing.

Libya’s Channel and Libya Akhbar said one civilian was dead and 21 people were wounded but didn’t elaborate if those wounded were civilians.

Local reports point at the 7th Brigade or GNA-affiliated militias as the perpetrator of the shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–21
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Statistics on the clashes from Tripoli Wounded Affairs Administration

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Khallet Al Furjan (خلة الفرجان), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.795738, 13.217038. 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

7th Brigade Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–21
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]