All Belligerents in Libya, 2011

Mourners in Majer, Libya in 2011 following a NATO airstrike which killed at least 34 civilians, according to multiple reports. Image courtesy of Sidney Kwiram/ Human Rights Watch

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

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

Lib2011-137

Incident date

August 8, 2011

Location

مجمعات قفوز وجرود السكنية, Gafuz and Jarud residential compounds, Murqub, Libya

Geolocation

32.374252, 14.577292 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (other) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 34 and 85 civilians were allegedly killed in NATO airstrikes on the Majer area of Zliten. The event marks the biggest reported loss of civilian life from NATO strikes during the first Libyan Civil War.

An Amnesty International field investigation found: “On the evening of 8 August 2011 two houses were struck in Majer (near Zlitan, west of Misratah). Munitions remnants found at the site contain the marking: ‘for MK82 bomb’, an air-delivered munition which, according to Amnesty International’s information, was used by participating forces in Operation Unified Protector in numerous other strikes. According to members of the family who survived the attack, 34 civilians, including eight children and eight women, were killed and several were injured in three separate attacks.”

A BBC story confirms the times given by Amnesty International: “For Libya’s government, what happened south of Zlitan in the village of Majar is proof that Nato, contrary to its mandate, is not protecting civilians. Officials believe the alliance is engaged in regime change, at whatever cost. Almost 48 hours after the first strike hit the cluster of buildings in the countryside to the south of Zlitan, Nato said it had completed its assessment of what happened. It confirmed it had hit the area, targeting four buildings and nine vehicles at the site between 23.33 on Monday and 02.34 on Tuesday. The times for the strikes correspond with those given by people in the area.”

Human Rights Watch reported the same number of casualties from its own investigation saying: “Beginning around 11:30 p.m. on August 8, 2011, during Ramadan, NATO aircraft dropped bombs on four houses in Majer, a rural village about 10 kilometers south of the town of Zliten. The first bomb hit a large, two-story house owned by Ali Hamid Gafez, a 61-year-old farmer. Gafez, his relatives and neighbors told Human Rights Watch that the house was crowded at the time with people who had fled the fighting in nearby areas, such as Dafniya, Zdow, and Naima, as well as Benghazi. A report prepared by the families of the victims said the Gafez house held 82 people on the night of the attack. They said the strike killed 14 of these people and wounded 17.”

It added: “Some moments after the first strike, NATO bombs hit two houses in a nearby compound belonging to the al-Jarud family. One of the bombs killed three women and a baby girl of the family, relatives and witnesses said. Family members and neighbors came rushing to help. Between 10 and 20 minutes later, another bomb struck just outside the al-Jarud compound. This bomb killed 18 men and wounded 15 others who had come to help. […] A fourth bomb then hit a nearby house owned by Mohamed Musbah al-Jarud, which was unoccupied at the time.”

The NGO further reported that “in the course of its investigation, including the day after the attack, Human Rights Watch found no evidence of military activity at either of the compounds, such as weapons, ammunition, or communications equipment that would have suggested a military target.”

On the munitions used, it said: “During its December 2011 visit, Human Rights Watch inspected remnants of the bombs that the families said had hit their homes, including fins from a GBU-12 laser guided bomb. These bombs use a Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR), a type of high-zoom night vision with an infrared camera and a laser designator to target the bomb, which would have allowed the pilot to guide the bombs to the target. Indeed, NATO told Human Rights Watch that it used precision-guided munitions in the strike, all of which reached their target.”

The Alma’em tribes condolence pages said: “There are also a large number of the wounded and the seriously injured, some of them who lost a limb and some who lost his vision, and among the injured are children, women and men who came to help children and women.”

The Majer Zliten Massacre condolence page put the death toll at 36 and the injuries at 38, most of them women and children.

Media close to the Gaddafi regime put the death toll at 85. Quoting Dr Moussa Ibrahim, Libyan Government Spokesperson in Majer Town at the time, these included 33 children, 20 men and 32 women. The BBC said on the numbers: “Civilians were injured – and it seems killed. The government says 33 of them were children. But they showed international journalists the bodies of just two.” For Libya’s then-government, what happened south of Zlitan in the village of Majar was claimed to be proof that Nato, contrary to its mandate, was not protecting civilians. Officials said they believed the alliance was engaged in regime change, at whatever cost.

Almost 48 hours after the first strike hit the cluster of buildings in the countryside to the south of Zlitan, Nato said it had completed its assessment of what had happened. It confirmed it had hit the area, targeting four buildings and nine vehicles at the site between 23.33 on Monday and 02.34 on Tuesday. It has never publicly accepted causing civilian harm in this event.

Airwars later spoke to the father of one of the victims for a joint investigation with Foreign Policy: “‘Then everything was black, we couldn’t see anything. After the smoke subsided it was clear the second floor was destroyed,’ Juwaili told Foreign Policy.
The men rushed forward, searching through the rubble for survivors. Fifteen minutes later, another strike killed many of the rescuers.
Juwaili hunted frantically for his 2-year-old daughter, Arwa, eventually finding her lifeless under the rubble. ‘Thank God her body was not ripped apart,’ he said.”

Another relative of a victim, interviewed for an article in Responsible Statecraft, told Airwars: “‘My message to NATO is that they have to come and witness the amount of destruction they left behind,’ Mariam Jaroud, whose sister lost a leg in the attack, told Responsible Statecraft. ‘Many of the families lost dear ones, others became orphans and we are still suffering.'”

The incident occured between 11:33 pm and 2:34 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (8)

Child male killed
Child male killed
Child male killed
Child female pregnant Nine-months pregnant with twins killed
Child female killed
Child female killed
Adult female killed
7 years old male killed

Family members (4)

Adult female killed
0 years old female killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown female killed
Adult female killed
Adult female killed
2 years old female killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    34 – 85
  • (8–33 children8–32 women18–20 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    32–38
  • 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
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (47) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (28) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of alleged victims of NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • Alleged victim of NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • Pictures of alleged victims of NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Alleged victim of NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • Pictures of alleged victims of NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • Pictures of alleged victims of NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • Alleged victim of NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • Ahmed Muhammad al-Raqiq, allegedly killed by NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • Children allegedly killed in NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • Munition allegedly used in NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • Victims allegedly killed by NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • Victims allegedly killed by NATO airstrikes in Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Zliten Majer Massacre)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)
  • House allegedly destroyed by NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)
  • Body bags at Zliten Hospital after NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)
  • Body bags at Zliten Hospital after NATO airstrikes on Majer on August 8th, 2011 (via Global Research)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention multiple strikes on residential compounds in the village of Majer (مــــاجر). The house of Gafuz (جافوز) at 32.374631, 14.574858, the house of Jarud (الحعرود) at 32.373767, 14.578633, and a third building of undisclosed owner ship at 32.37540, 14.57595 . The exact location of which has been published by New York Times and Human Rights Watch. The generic coordinates between these three points are 32.374252, 14.577292.

  • Reports of the incident mention multiple strikes on residential compounds in the village of Majer (مــــاجر). The house of Gafuz (جافوز), the house of Jarud (الحعرود), and a third building of undisclosed ownership. The exact location of which has been published by New York Times and Human Rights Watch.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

NATO forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    NATO forces
  • NATO forces position on incident
    Under investigation
  • Civilian deaths conceded
    None
  • Civilian injuries conceded
    None

Civilian casualty statements

NATO forces
  • Mar 8, 2012
  • The four buildings assessed in the questions relating to Majer were deliberate targets, based on their functioning as a troop staging area. They were located within a farm compound in a rural area. On the basis of observation and other intelligence, it was assessed that no civilians were in the area, and none were observed at the time of the attack or of the subsequent re-strike of one of those buildings. If civilians had been identified, standard procedure was to abort the drop or, if noticed after time of release, to direct a laser-guided weapon away from the target area. This incident is under further assessment.

Original strike reports

NATO forces

In the vicinity of Zlitan: 1 Military Facility, 1 Communications System.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    34 – 85
  • (8–33 children8–32 women18–20 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    32–38
  • 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
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (47) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC116

Incident date

April 15, 2019

Location

طرابلس‎: أبو سليم, Tripoli: Abu Salim, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.842957, 13.171578 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and six civilians were allegedly injured by indiscriminate artillery shelling on Tripoli.

Libya 24 TV reported: “On Monday, the municipal council of Abu Salim announced that five random shells had been fired at the residential area adjacent to Repsol, one of which hit a residential apartment for a family of six.

The media office of the municipality in a post on the official page of the social networking site “Facebook” that the bombing resulted in a injured family member to be taken to receive treatment at the Green Hospital, and damaged the apartment and a number of cars located in the place.

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

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–6
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A person allegedly injured in the attack (via Tripoli Alaan)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another person allegedly injured in the attack (via Tripoli Alaan)
  • Damage from the shelling (via Tripoli Alaan)
  • More damage from the shelling (via Tripoli Alaan)
  • More pictures from the incident

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Abu Salim (أبو سليم), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.842957 13.171578. 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 type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–6
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC437

Incident date

May 31, 2023

Location

العجيلات, Al Ajailat, Libya

Geolocation

32.756951, 12.360506 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian named Ali Balkour was killed by alleged Government of National Unity (Turkish) drone strikes on the Al Shabika area in the city of Al Ajailat on May 31, 2023.

A tweet from @aleasima_17 reported that three raids in the Al Shabika area resulted in the death of Ali Balkour inside a wine factory. Other sources published similar information on the location of the strikes and the casualty.

Multiple local sources identified a drone as being used in the attack, with @TaqrftA blaming a Turkish drone.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali Balkour
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    Government of National Accord

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Al Zawiya Al Hadath 24

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Ajailat (العجيلات), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.756951, 12.360506. 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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    Government of National Accord

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC135

Incident date

May 5, 2019

Location

جسر الزهراء, Al Zahra Bridge, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.676671, 13.055878 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man was allegedly injured by an airstrike on Al-Swani.

FMSC reported: “An elderly man was injured by shrapnel as a result of aerial bombardment near al-Zahra bridge in the Al-Swani area.”

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

 

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]

  • Pictures of the alleged victim

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Al Zahra bridge (جسر الزهراء) for which the generic coordinates are: 32.676671, 13.055878. 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

  • 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

Lib2011-162

Incident date

September 15, 2011

Location

الحي رقم 2, Neighbourhood No 2, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.208213, 16.566095 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 30 and 64 civilians were allegedly killed in a NATO airstrike on neighbourhood No 2 in Sirte.

Mustafa Al Fitouri wrote in his book, naming 46 civilians: “The seventh air strike took place in Sirte on 15th September at 7pm where the warplanes targeted a gathering of civilian vehicles inside and near it a group of youth civilians and led to killing between 30 and 58 civilians and I were able to documunate number of them.”

Tk Yahrouq Kl shy posted 58 names of which four belong to another incident.

Sirte September 15th martyrs wrote: “On that sad evening, when NATO aircraft bombed a group of young people and children from civilians of the city of Sirte in District No. 2.

The victims of that treacherous attack were 58 young men and children.”

Afrigate News put the death toll at 56.

Salah Traboulsi said 59 people had been killed.

Number 15th martyrs posted a list with 65 names on Facebook, one of them belonging to a different incident.

NATO declared having hit “1 Military Storage Facility, 2 Armed Vehicles, 1 Tank, 4 Multiple Rocket Launchers, 8 Air Missile Systems” near Sirte on that day.”

It later assessed the incident saying: “Multiple vehicles with substantial numbers of associated military personnel on the ground over an extended period.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (11)

Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Child male killed
Age unknown male killed

Family members (14)

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown female killed

Family members (5)

Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed

The victims were named as:

Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Adult male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown female killed
Age unknown male killed
Adult male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30 – 64
  • (2 children4 women27 men)
  • 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 (69) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Miftah Al-Ammari, allegedly killed by NATO airstrike on Sirte on September 15th, 2011 (via Sirte september 15th martyrs)
  • Ahmed Abu Shweishah, allegedly killed by NATO airstrike on Sirte on September 15th, 2011 (via Sirte september 15th martyrs)
  • Abdullah Milad Majdoubi Gaddafi, allegedly killed by NATO airstrike on Sirte on September 15th, 2011 (via Sirte september 15th martyrs)
  • Ali Hasan Al Mabrouk Al Warfali, allegedly killed by NATO airstrike on Sirte on September 15th, 2011 (via Sirte september 15th martyrs)
  • Yusef Arhumah Abusaksa Al-Sulaimani, allegedly killed by NATO airstrike on Sirte on September 15th, 2011 (via Sirte september 15th martyrs)
  • Tariq Muhammad Al-Sharif, allegedly killed by NATO airstrike on Sirte on September 15th, 2011 (via Sirte september 15th martyrs)
  • Hatem Jibril Souf Al-Droui and Moez Juma'a Souf, allegedly killed by NATO airstrike on Sirte on September 15th, 2011 (via Sirte september 15th martyrs)
  • Victims allegedly killed by NATO airstrike on Sirte on September 15th, 2011 (via Sirte september 15th martyrs)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood No. 2 (الحي رقم 2) of Sirte (سرت‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.208213, 16.566095. 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 No. 2 (الحي رقم 2) of Sirte (سرت‎).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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, 2011
  • Multiple vehicles with substantial numbers of associated military personnel on the ground over an extended period.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    30 – 64
  • (2 children4 women27 men)
  • 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 (69) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC117

Incident date

April 16, 2019

Location

محطة وقود البوعيشي, Al Buashi gas station, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.790437, 13.179721 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An elder woman was reported killed and between one and four civilians injured from indiscriminate artillery shelling on Ain Zara.

Aksa Net posted a video with a man claiming the death of the woman.

Riyadh Burshan said one woman was injured and posted images of the site of the incident.

Tk yhrog kl shy2 wrote: “Yesterday night a shell fell on the Al-Milo family house in Ain Zara behind the petrol station (Al Buashi), wounding four young brothers, three had limbs amputated and the fourth in serious condition in the care.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–4
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Pictures from the incident
  • Video claiming the death of the woman

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Buashi Gas Station (محطة وقود البوعيشي), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.790437, 13.179721. 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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–4
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC138

Incident date

May 12, 2019

Location

ناصر, Naser, Zawiya, Libya

Geolocation

32.432880, 12.657010 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to three civilians were allegedly killed in an airstrike on Naser. Different sources accused the LNA, UAE or Egypt.

Ibrahim Kasuda said: “The UAE assault plane targets a citizen’s car in the village of Naser in the south of Zawiya, killing all in the car and the supporters of Haftar describe it as an ammunition truck.”

Mona Al-Hur accused the UAE and Egypt of conducting the strike, also saying everyone in the car was killed without giving a number of casualties.

Asstor wrote: “An airstrike carried out by Haftar aircraft targeting small civilian vehicles claiming to carry weapons and ammunition in the area south of the city of Zawiya, killing three people and wounding two which are in serious condition.”

Anis Abdalgawad and Son of Libya Sartawi said the car was in fact an ammunition truck. Tak.yuharq.kl.shy added that one of the victims was Abdulmajid Bin Koura, supposedly an arms dealer with a criminal record.

Libyan citizen later said on Twitter that Ahmad Aldabbashi, an alleged human trafficker and oil smuggler, was killed in the strike as well.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abdulmajid Bin Koura
Adult male killed
Ahmad Aldabbashi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Libyan National Army, Unknown, Egyptian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of the aftermath
  • Pictures of Abdulmajid Bin Koura, supposedly killed in the event
  • Video of the alleged aftermath
  • Picture of Ahmad Aldabbashi

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Naser (ناصر), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.43288, 12.65701. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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

Egyptian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Libyan National Army, Unknown, Egyptian Military

Sources (8) [ collapse]