All Belligerents in Libya, 2011

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
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Incident Code

LC092

Incident date

September 20, 2018

Location

وادي الربيع, Wadi al Rabie, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.743819, 13.357047 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reported killed in Tajoura because of indiscriminate artillery shelling.

Wagak Original said on Twitter that three initially unidentified bodies were found in the Al Khala area and sent to the Tripoli Medical Hospital. They were then “identified as Khairi Bizik and his brother Karim Bizik and Hamza Goma.” The source added that they were hit by indiscriminate shelling at a traffic light in the Wadi al Rabie area.

Other sources on social media published similar reports, Mohamed Al Megrahi posted graphic pictures of the three victims on Facebook.

Local reports indicate that the 7th Brigade and GNA-affiliated militias were shelling around Tajoura that day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Khairi Bizik
Adult male Via Wagak Original killed
Karim Bizik
Adult male Via Wagak Original killed

The victims were named as:

Hamza Goma
Adult male Via Wagak Original killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 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, 7th Brigade

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of an alleged victim (via Mohamed Al Megrahi)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image of an alleged victim (via Mohamed Al Megrahi)
  • Image of another supposed victim (via Tripoli Tewa)

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

7th Brigade Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 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, 7th Brigade

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC091

Incident date

September 20, 2018

Location

طرابلس‎, Tripoli: Marble Factory, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.857440, 13.262258 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between one and three civilians were reported killed due to indiscriminate artillery shelling in the Al Sabaa neighbourhood of Tripoli.

Libya Alaan wrote on Facebook that “a shell just has landed on a marble factory in the Al Sabaa area and killed one and injured three.”

Libya 24 reported that the man was Sudanese and it was a metal workshop, not the marble factory.

Afrigate News referred to the spokesperson for ambulance and emergency: “Ali said in a statement to Afrigate News that the clashes on Thursday left nine dead, including two civilians and 13 wounded, including four civilians, indicating that this is an initial outcome of what was transferred to the ambulance and emergency.

Ali pointed to a shell falling on a blacksmith workshop in the area of Al Sabaa, indicating that it left one dead (Bangladeshi nationality) and two wounded, one of them in serious condition.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • TV report saying the death toll on September 18th-20th was four civilians and three combatants. In addition 17 people were injured
  • Images of the aftermath of the alleged artillery shelling in Al Sabaa

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    More pictures of artillery shelling in Tripoli from Jalal Othman

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a Marble Factory being struck within the Sabaa neighbourhood, for which the generic coordinates are: 32.857440, 13.262258. 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
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC090

Incident date

September 18, 2018

Location

عين زارة, Ain Zara, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.816556, 13.267525 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed in renewed militia clashes in the Ain Zara neighbourhood of Tripoli.

Alnabaa TV posted on Twitter: “Spokesman for Ambulance and Emergency Department Osama Ali to : One civilian killed in renewed clashes.”

Other sources, such as the Libya Observer, also reported deaths but did not elaborate if they were civilians or fighters: “The spokesman of the First Aid and Emergency Service Osama Ali, confirmed Tuesday that the hospital of Abu Salim received one body and 5 wounded due to the clashes that broke out Tuesday south of Tripoli.

Osama Ali explained that they were unable to verify reports of another two fatalities nor the locations of the bodies due to the ongoing clashes, noting that they have received reports on three families besieged in places of clashes asking for assistance.”

Libya 24 TV had initially reported two bodies had been uncovered from the site.

The Libya Herald reported shelling by both the Somoud Brigade which backs the 7th Brigade and the GNA-affiliated Ghanewa Brigade on that day. The outlet did not mention civilian harm but said civilian infrastructure was damaged as electricity infrastructure was hit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    7th Brigade, Government of National Accord

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image by Libya Observer (no caption)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Ain Zara (عين زارة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.816556, 13.267525. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

7th Brigade Assessment:

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

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
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    7th Brigade, Government of National Accord

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC089

Incident date

September 14, 2018

Location

كورى بوقودى, Kouri Bougoudi, Murzuq, Libya

Geolocation

23.482406, 15.962053 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reported killed in an alleged Chadian helicopter strike on an illegal gold mine in Kouri Bougoudi at the Libyan-Chadian border.

Reuters wrote: “Chadian army helicopters killed two civilians in bombing runs over a gold mining town along the Libyan border, where government forces have clashed with a fledgeling rebel movement, a family member of the victims and an intelligence official said.

Two helicopters attacked the town of Kouri Bougoudi on Thursday and the two men died from their wounds on Friday, the family member, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters. Two other civilians were wounded in the attacks, the person said.

An intelligence source, also speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that two civilians were killed in the raids.

Chad’s army spokesman declined to comment.”

Tchad Today named the victims as Galmai Dirdemi and Hassan Kelle Lony.

Al Wihda Info provided more details on the attack: “Last Thursday, the day of the bombing, the helicopters flew low over two camps suspected of harbouring gold miners. The bombing was remotely controlled thanks to the GPS position of the target. For a few minutes, the helicopters dropped bombs and fired a 17-gauge weapon. The aim was to neutralize the individuals in these two camps, according to concordant sources.”

It further reported that “gold miners on the scene accuse the air force of having used in this helicopter firing cluster bombs and submunitions against the two camps, to neutralize their target. This former rebel officer was wounded in the bombing but his life is no longer engaged, said his family to Al Wihda Info.”

218 TV also reported on the strike but didn’t name the belligerent or mention civilian harm.

As the illegal gold mines are exactly placed along the border it is contested among the sources whether the strike took place in Libya or Chad. Le Monde Afrique said it was in “the extreme north” of Chad, while a map of gold mines published by ag on Twitter puts the location of Kouri Boudgoudi on the Libyan side of the border. Arnaud Delalande also reported airstrikes on Kilinje which is deeper inside Libyan territory and used by Chadian rebels to illegaly source gold.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Galmai Dirdemi
Age unknown Via Tchad Today killed
Hassan Kelle Lon
Age unknown Via Tchad Today killed

Summary

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

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Tchad Today showing images of the victims
  • Map of the border area placing Kouri Bougoudi inside Libya
  • Menastream showing the impact of the strike
  • Menastream showing the impact of the strike
  • Menastream showing the impact of the strike
  • Menastream showing the impact of the strike

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Kouri Bougoudi (كورى بوقودى), for which the generic coordinates are: 23.482406, 15.962053. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Chadian Military Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC088

Incident date

September 11, 2018

Location

أبو سليم, 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

Around four civilians were reported injured because of indiscriminate artillery shelling on the Abu Salim neighbourhood of Tripoli.

The Municipal Council of Abu Salim posted on Facebook about the events: “Shelling on one of the safe houses behind the health complex in the municipality of Abu Salim, causing panic among the residents and some damage to the building. Some civilians walking nearby were injured, three teenagers suffered minor injuries and a driver was seriously injured.

The injured people are at Abu Salim Hospital.”

Ean Libya published a similar report referring to the Council’s statement.

Libya 24 reported: “At dawn, a shell landed on a house behind the health complex in the municipality of Abu Salim. A number of civilians were injured, including a serious injury, in addition to damage to the building.”

Clashes in the previous week between the 7th Brigade and GNA-affiliated militias point at one of them as the perpetrators.

UN envoy Ghassan Salame claimed to know who is behind the shelling in a press conference and said he would disclose it if the shelling continues.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of the people injured in the attack (via Abu Salim Municipal Council)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of 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.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Abu Salim (أبو سليم).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
  • Civilians reported injured
    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, 7th Brigade

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC087

Incident date

September 2, 2018

Location

الفلاح, Al Falah, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.855076, 13.154240 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and four people were reported killed because of artillery shelling on a refugee camp in Tripoli.

Libya Alaan said that “two were killed and five wounded on Sunday after a shell fell on the Tawergha camp.”

Alkhal Altawerghi named the victims as Abu Bakr Mohammed Masoud Al Zamirli and his brother Khaled.

Libya’s Channel also reported two people dead and 15 injured.

RT reported a higher death toll: “Four people were killed and seven others injured when a shell fell on a camp for displaced people in the Al-Falah area of the Libyan capital Tripoli.

The RT correspondent reported that the shell fell on a Tawergha refugee camp in Al Falah area, known as Camp No. 2.”

Local sources reported clashes between GNA-affiliated militias and the 7th Brigade at the time of the incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abu Bakr Mohammed Masoud Al Zamirli
Adult male Via @khal_eltawrghi killed
Khaled Mohammed Masoud Al Zamirli
Adult male Via @khal_eltawrghi injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–15
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

  • Image of one of the victims
  • Libya Alaan shows the impact of the artillery shelling
  • Libya's Channel shows the aftermath of the artillery strike

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Falah (الفلاح), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.855076, 13.154240. 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 Falah (الفلاح).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    2 – 4
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–15
  • 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]

Incident Code

LC093

Incident date

September 1–30, 2018

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 two and four civilians were reported killed as a result of possible indiscriminate artillery shelling in and around Tripoli.

The Tripoli wounded affairs administration posted on Facebook: “Statistics of the victims of the clashes that took place south of Tripoli on Thursday, 20 September 2018

Casualties:

11 deaths (5 civilians, 3 foreign workers, 3 fighters)

1 missing

11 injured”

Alnabaa TV broadcasted a report where it stated that four civilians had been killed and 17 people had been injured in the clashes.

Casualties from the cases LC090, LC091 and LC092 have been deducted in this report. It is also unclear whether all the victims died from artillery strikes or from gunfire.

In its monthly report for September UNSMIL reported eight civilian deaths plus 16 wounded for the whole of Libya from shelling. It reported 15 civilian deaths and 22 injuries for Tripoli, the majority of which from indiscriminate artillery shelling, mentioning cases also assessed by Airwars.

Local reports 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
    2 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–17
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Casualty statistics of the Tripoli clashes: Casualties: 11 deaths (5 civilians, 3 Foreigner workers, 3 fighters) 1 missing 11 injured
  • TV report from Alnabaa saying the death toll on September 18th-20th was four civilians and three combatants. In addition 17 people were reported injured
  • Local sources keep posting images of damaged civilian infrastructure

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Tripoli (طرابلس‎), for which the 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

7th Brigade Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–17
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC086

Incident date

August 31, 2018

Location

Tripoli: Al Wadan hotel, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.893428, 13.190984 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reported injured from indiscriminate artillery shelling on the Al Wadan hotel in Tripoli.

Sky News reported: “A hotel in the centre of Tripoli was bombed indiscriminately, injuring at least three people amid fighting between rival militias aspiring to take power in the Libyan capital.

The rocket hit the fourth floor of the Wadan Hotel, 100 meters from the Italian Embassy.

The missile also caused heavy damage inside and outside the hotel, forcing the evacuation.”

Alwasat published a similar report: “Ambulances rushed to the Wadan Hotel in the centre of Tripoli on Saturday after being subjected to indiscriminate bombardment in the ongoing clashes in the capital since Sunday.”

Local sources reported clashes between GNA-affiliated militias and the 7th Brigade at the time of the incident.

The incident occured at 05:50:00 local time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, 7th Brigade

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Images of the impact of the shelling on Al Wadan hotel.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Wadan Hotel being struck, for which the generic coordinates are: 32.893428, 13.190984. 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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, 7th Brigade

Sources (6) [ collapse]