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

LC122

Incident date

April 20, 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

One man was reportedly killed by indiscrimiante shelling on Tajoura.

Libyan News Network said that “Abu Bakr al-Ghoriani from the Wadi al Rabie neighborhood” was killed “after being hit by shrapnel.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abu Bakr al-Ghoriani
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 supposed victim

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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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

LC429

Incident date

May 25, 2022

Location

أبو سليم, Abo Salim, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.852987, 13.184588 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A mortar shell injured at least two civilians when it hit Omdurman, the Abu Salim area of Tripoli, Libya on May 25th 2022, according to local sources.

According to @KhaledDernah3, the injuries were of the “city team player”, Anwar Makhlouf, and his friend, Fathi Baira, who had minor injuries. Both were transferred to Al-Khadra Hospital for treatment for shrapnel wounds.

A Facebook post by Tripolistreets0 identified Anwar as having a shrapnel in his foot.

The source also said that the projectile was from a 23-caliber weapon.

There is no reference in any source which identifies the belligerent.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Anwar Makhlouf
Age unknown male injured
Fathi Baira
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Anwar Makhlouf, a football player, injured when a mortar hit him and his friend in Abo Salim, Tripoli on May 25th 2022 (Image via @salaaah62 / Twitter)
  • Fathi Baira, injured when a mortar hit him and his friend in Abo Salim, Tripoli on May 25th 2022 (Image via @salaaah62 / Twitter)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Omdurman (ام درمان) in the Abo Salim (أبو سليم) neighbourhood of Tripoli (طرابلس). The generic coordinates for Omdurman are: 32.852987, 13.184588. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown 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
    2
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC106

Incident date

April 7, 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

The doctor Jumua Ghouma was reported killed from indiscriminate shelling on Tajoura.

The Times reported: “Another doctor, Jumua Ghouma, was killed while off-duty when a shell fell on his house.”

Abdulrahman Ghummied said his home was in the Wadi al Rabie area of Tajoura.

Khaled Sherif posted that he was the head of the laboratory at the local hospital.

Reports of fighting in the area point at GNA or LNA as the perpetrator of the shelling.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Jumua Ghouma
Adult male Doctor killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ 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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC123

Incident date

April 23, 2019

Location

طرابلس‎, Tripoli: Airport, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.806027, 13.139814 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man was reportedly killed by indiscriminate artillery shelling in Tripoli.

Radaa.abuslim said the Sudanese man died when a shell fell on his home hitting him in his bed. He was apparently working as a guard at a construction site near Tripoli Airport where the body was found.

Tripoli Now published a similar report: “Only a few days ago, during patrols of the branch, the body of a Sudanese guard was found at the site of the construction company at the Tripoli International Airport near the equestrian bridge because of a shell falling on a bed.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Pictures of the victim

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Tripoli Airport (طرابلس‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.665641, 13.151268. 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 man)
  • 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

LC428

Incident date

May 14, 2022

Location

جنزور, Jamila Triangle, Janzour, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.823157, 12.986962 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Clashes at dawn on May 14th 2022 in the Jamila Triangle in the Janzour area, reported to be in the vicinity of the West Tripoli Electricity Station were reported to have caused civilian casualties, but reports differ in the number. However, according to another local source, the Municipal Council of Janzour did not mention any civilian casualties.

This ranges from “some civilians being injured” to “a family of five being killed” and “one dead and 5 wounded”. Therefore, between one to five people were reported killed, with up to five people reported injured.

A family of five were reported to have been killed when gunshots fell on a house near the Jamila Triangle in the Janzour area, Tripoli, in Libya. One source, Essa Essa, on Facebook, reported that the family were the Abu Shaiba family.

Another source commented that “some civilians were injured” and another local Facebook page, Libya Live, posted that “indiscriminate shooting [was] targeting the rooftops of houses in the Janzour area.”

@salaaah62 reported that the armed clashes were with “tanks.”

The clashes were reported to be between the militias of the 55th Infantry Brigade and the Knights of Janzour. There are other references to civilians being injured in these attacks, for example Al Ain reported that Janzour Media Centre confirmed that “many citizens passing from the coastal road were injured during the beginning of the attack” which started “at the gate of the West Tripoli Electricity Station.”

According to Al Arabiya, “the private clinics close to the clashes recorded the reception of one dead person and five wounded, with minor and moderate injuries.” It also reported that “no official data has been issued so far, neither from the Ministry of Health nor from the Prime Minister.”

Al Ain reported that the “violent clashes erupted at dawn” on May 14th 2022, “between the militias of the “55th Infantry Brigade” and “Forsan Janzour”, due to previous accumulations between the two sides, the most recent of which was the killing of Walid al-Qat, who belongs to the “55th Infantry Brigade”.

“The 55th Infantry” militia accused the Knights of Janzour of cooperating in the killing of Walid al-Qatt, after his arrest by the “Special Deterrence Force” militia, which caused the outbreak of violent clashes that led to deaths and injuries between the two parties, in the early hours of the morning. Al Ain reported that the attack was launched by the 55th Infantry.

The “Reporters” Facebook page posted that “this news came after a previous news story reported that an elderly woman had been killed in the same area, and the screaming woman was heard in the vicinity of the area. Our correspondent in the Janzour area reported that the people are appealing to the government to intervene quickly and asking the warring parties to open a saef corridor for them to get out of the areas of the clash..”

Al Ain also reported that Janzour Media Centre announced a power outage in several areas of Tripoli after the destruction of the power transmission towers, which were reportedly targeted by the 55th Infantry.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Family members (1)

Abu Shaima family

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • "A family of five died when an RPG bomber fell on a house near Jamila Triangle" on May 14th 2022 in Libya (Image via Libyansknoweachother / Facebook)
  • Al Ain reported that clashes between militias resulted in deaths and injuries on May 14th 2022 in Janzour, Tripoli (Image via Al-ain.com)
  • Al Ain reported that clashes between militias resulted in deaths and injuries on May 14th 2022 in Janzour, Tripoli (Image via Al-ain.com)
  • Al Ain reported that clashes between militias resulted in deaths and injuries on May 14th 2022 in Janzour, Tripoli (Image via Al-ain.com)
  • Al Arabiya reported that the private clinics close to where the militia clashes took place in Janzour, Tripoli recorded one dead person and five injured.
  • "The Municipal Council of Janzour: We condemn the attack on our city, and we are surprised that the official authorities have not communicated with us" (Image via Alsaaa24.com)
  • @MOHAMME_MAHJOUB reported clashes with tanks in Janzour resulting in deaths and injuries (Image via Twitter)
  • @MOHAMME_MAHJOUB reported clashes with tanks in Janzour resulting in deaths and injuries (Image via Twitter)
  • @MOHAMME_MAHJOUB reported clashes with tanks in Janzour resulting in deaths and injuries (Image via Twitter)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Janzour (جنزور) neighbourhood of Tripoli (طرابلس). The generic coordinates for Janzour are: 32.823157, 12.986962. Reports specifically mention clashes around the gate of the West Tripoli Power Station (محطة غرب طرابلس للكهرباء), for which the coordinates are: 32.820877, 12.973548. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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Libyan rebel forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Libyan rebel forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 5
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC107

Incident date

April 9, 2019

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 child has reportedly been killed in clashes in Tripoli.

Rahaf Mabrouk Ghoma was killed in the Khallet Al Furjan neighbourhood, according to Only Libya.

Other sources reported similar accounts.

It is unclear whether she was killed by an airstrike or gunfire. Fighting occured between GNA and LNA in the area at the time of the incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Rahaf Mabrouk Ghoma
Child female killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Picture of the victim
  • Another picture of the victim (via Only Libya)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

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.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Khallet Al Furjan (خلة الفرجان).

    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
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC124

Incident date

April 24, 2019

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 civilian was reportedly injured by indiscriminate shelling on Tripoli.

The Center for Field Medicine and Support said that Dr. Mohammed Al-Khitouni was wounded when a shell dropped near his hospital. The page posted a picture of him recovering at the hospital.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Dr. Mohammed Al-Khitouni
Adult male Doctor injured

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

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.

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

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:

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]