Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

Lib2011-143

Incident date

August 21, 2011

Location

كوبرى الهضبة الشرقية , Eastern Hill Bridge, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.857472, 13.209339 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 60 and 72 people were killed near the Eastern Hill Bridge on a highway in Tripoli by Gaddafi forces on August 21, 2011 according to multiple posts and videos, including Gharyan Radio and Libyan People Youtube.

A video posted by Wasat Al Bilad shows multiple men with guns blocking a road and interacting with cars as they drive by. Gharyan Radio posted images of the suspected killers and describes them as making a fake gate in the road and stopping everyone and killing some. A video posted by Libyan People shows two men beating two other men in the street and you can hear men screaming, as well as gunshots.

Names of those killed:

Muhammad Yunus al-Muhajir

Issam Muhammad al-Taher

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Yunus al-Muhajir
Age unknown male killed
Issam Muhammad al-Taher,
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    60 – 72
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    August 22, 2011

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Eastern Hill Bridge (  كوبرى الهضبة الشرقية ) in the city of Tripoli, for which the generic coordinates are: 32.857472, 13.209339. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    60 – 72
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC427

Incident date

July 18, 2021

Location

مصرف الوحدة في منطقة الليثي, Vicinity of Al Wahda Bank, Al Laithi neighbourhood, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.088701, 20.134394 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The actor Haythem al-Debrash was killed in Benghazi and his brother Muftah was among five other civilians injured by an RPG round, fired by a militiaman said to have been celebrating the wedding nearby of a comrade.

Footage published by local media and dated July 18th showed a militiaman firing an RPG into the air alongside celebratory small arms fire. According to multiple reports, the RPG round then landed outside the al Wahda Bank on al Nahr Road, in al Laithi neighbourhood, killing Mr Debrash.

Benghazi 24 named a second casualty as Muftah al-Darbash, brother of the deceased, who it said had a limb amputated following the event. The Libya Observer reported five people injured in the event.

Libya Witness later reported that two unidentified men were arrested in connection with the incident, while 218 TV News said the public prosecutor’s office had opened a case, noting: “The perpetrator of the crime was arrested, and the Public Prosecution Office began interrogating him and eventually up accusing him of murder. It ordered his pretrial detention pending the case, while investigations into the incident are still ongoing in other aspects, which are being followed up by the Office of the Public Prosecutor.”

The incident occured during the day.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Haythem al-Debrash
Adult male killed
Muftah al-Debrash
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • 'The death of the actor Haitham Al-Darbash after a shell fell on Al-Wahda Bank in Benghazi.'
  • The actor Haitham Al-Darbash, killed on July 18th in a random militia act (via Benghazi 24)
  • 'A continuation of the chaos and the rule of the militias... dead and wounded as a result of the fall of an RPG shell on a bank queue in the city of #Benghazi.'
  • Haythem Debrash, killed by an RPG round in Benghazi on July 18th 2021 (via Libya Observer)
  • Haitham al-Derbash (via Downtown Benghazi)
  • Images from the scene of a random RPG strike in Benghazi which killed one civilian and injured five (via Only Bengazi)
  • Images from the scene of a random RPG strike in Benghazi which killed one civilian and injured five (via Only Bengazi)
  • Images from the scene of a random RPG strike in Benghazi which killed one civilian and injured five (via Only Bengazi)
  • Images from the scene of a random RPG strike in Benghazi which killed one civilian and injured five (via Only Bengazi)
  • 'Today, Sunday, July 18, we monitored the killing of the artist Haitham Derbash and the injury of five others as a result of a shell falling in the Al-Laithi neighborhood of Benghazi. We call on the authorities to open an investigation into the incident and to hold the perpetrators accountable. We also call on the Ministry of the Interior to work to limit the phenomenon of the proliferation of weapons and prevent their use within cities.'
  • 'The artist, Haitham Darbash, died as a result of injuries he sustained as a result of a bombardment near Al Wahda Bank in the Laithi area, in the city of #Benghazi, while a local source told "Bawabat Al-Wasat" on Sunday that "the artist Haitham Derbash transferred his body to the hospital," noting that the artist's brother was wounded and taken to 1200 Hospital in Benghazi.'
  • Haitham al Derbash (via @alwasatnewsly)
  • Haitham Derbash (via 218 TV News)
  • Civilian Muftah Derbash, injured in a random RPG event in Benghazi on July 18th 2021 (via Bengazi 24)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Al Wahda bank (مصرف الوحدة) in the Al Laithi neighbourhood (منطقة الليثي) of Benghazi (بنغازي). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to these exact coordinates: 32.088701, 20.134394.

  • Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Al Wahda bank (مصرف الوحدة) in the Al Laithi neighbourhood (منطقة الليثي) of Benghazi (بنغازي). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources we have narrowed down the location to exact coordinates.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Tagged audio-visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    February Channel

  • Tagged audio-visual material from sources.

    Imagery:
    Al Tanasuh Channel

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ062

Incident date

December 3, 2017

Location

بنغازي‎, Sidi Kharibesh, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.125, 20.063889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

LNA MiGs reportedly conducted heavy airstrikes in Sidi Akhribesh and the Afet neighbourhood near the hotel, which were described by one source as “the last strongholds of the terrorists.”

There were no public reports of civilian harm at the time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Libyan National Army Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ007

Incident date

April 1, 2015

Location

الزنتان, Zintan, Airport, Jabal al Gharbi, Libya

Geolocation

31.771818, 12.248748 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to several local sources, GNC/Libya Dawn planes bombed Zintan airport as well as the nearby village of Rujban. Most sources reported material damage, though there was no mention of civilian harm.

Zintan Airport spokesperson Omar Maatouk, speaking to Libya Herald, said that the front of the airport building was damaged by the seven shells fired. He also said that there had been no civilian casualties.

The report said: “There were no casualties at Zintan, Matoq said, adding that a number of nearby houses had been hit by shrapnel. He later said that the aircraft used was an Aero L-39 jet trainer and named the pilots as from Ghariyan and the Tripoli suburb of Fashloum.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    General National Congress (GNC)

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Translation: Militias Dawn of Libya bombard residential areas in Rajaban, forcing the village to suspend the study. Libya (via Libyan™)
  • Another image of the aftermath (via Libyan™)
  • Another image of the aftermath (via Libyan™)
  • Another image of the aftermath (via Libyan™)
  • Another picture of the aftermath (via 988nabed)
  • Another picture of the aftermath (via 988nabed)

General National Congress (GNC) Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    General National Congress (GNC)
  • General National Congress (GNC) position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    General National Congress (GNC)

Sources (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC153

Incident date

June 18, 2019

Location

تاجوراء‎, Tajoura, Tripoli , Libya

Geolocation

32.827820, 13.389361 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that three civilians had been injured in an attack on Mellitah Oil and Gas Company, Tajoura, Tripoli, on June 18th.

While two other sources reported the incident, no civilian harm was claimed in these sources.

Libya Alahrar News alleged that “the National Oil Corporation confirmed the injury of three workers in the company Mellitah oil and gas, as a result of air bombardment on Tuesday in Tajoura. “The bombing is a tragic loss,” said Mustafa Sannalla, chairman of the foundation, adding that the ongoing threats have been affecting the lives of workers in the sector, and undermining efforts to ensure the continuation of production.”

Meanwhile, 218 TV reported that “the tank of Mellitah oil and gas company in Tajoura is bombed, causing it to burn”.

The attack has been attributed to the LNA.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Image caption translation: "Warlord Haftar’s warplane bombs oil facility and tannery in Tajoura, east Tripoli" (via Libya Observer)
  • Image caption translation: "The National Oil Corporation confirmed the injury of three workers in the company Mellitah oil and gas as a result of air bombardment Tuesday on National Oil Corporation in Tajoura." (via Libya Alahrar News)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Mellitah Oil and Gas Company, allegedly located within the town of Tajoura (تاجوراء‎). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Tajoura are: 32.82782, 13.389361.

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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC184

Incident date

August 24, 2019

Location

مطار معيتيقة, Mitiga International Airport, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.895041, 13.2785 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was allegedly injured by indiscriminate artillery shelling on the Mitiga Airport in Tripoli. The rival GNA accused the LNA of being the culprit.

Libya Alahrar TV reported: “One injured as a result of the shelling of Mitiga airport during the arrival of pilgrims this morning.”

Other sources, such as Marsad, only reported shelling as well as damage to the airport and adjacent roads: “Mitiga International Airport confirmed that the shelling by an unidentified shell came in conjunction with the arrival of Al-Buraq Airlines flight from Istanbul and Libyan Airlines coming with a group of 265 pilgrims from Jeddah.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of the aftermath
  • More pictures of the damage allegedly caused by the shelling
  • More pictures of the aftermath

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Mitiga International Airport (مطار معيتيقة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.895041, 13.2785. 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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC213

Incident date

October 6, 2019

Location

جنزور, Janzur: Equestrian Club, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.834054, 13.011325 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six civilians were allegedly injured in an LNA airstrike on the Equestrian Club in Janzur.

The Libya Observer said: “Airstrikes by Khalifa Haftar’s backup warplanes hit the Equestrian School in Janzour – west of Tripoli – injuring three to five children and one old man and killing a number of horses, both Fursan Janzour Brigade’s spokesman Ahmed Abdeljalili and other sources have reported.

The sources added that the school was full of children training on horse riding when Haftar’s warplanes struck it.”

Al Wasat reported: “Osama Ali, a spokesman for emergency services, said six people were injured in an air strike on the equestrian club in Janzur, most of them children.”

218 TV reported the same number of victims and said that LNA spokesperson Ahmed Al Mesmari denied LNA involvement.

Libya Alahrar TV added: “The assessment team confirmed that a fighter plane dropped four unguided bombs at the Equestrian Club, a civilian facility, and did not detect any military assets or facilities.”

UNSMIL heavily condemend the incident: “The United Nations Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) is appalled by an airstrike conducted by General Haftar’s forces, targeting the Equestrian Club in Tripoli’s Janzour neighbourhood. The airstrike, which took place today in the afternoon, reportedly injured a number of innocent children and caused damage to the Club’s facilities.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Iyad Shaaban
Age unknown male injured
Hussam Abu Bakr
Age unknown male injured
Abdul Rahim Fathi
Age unknown male injured
Abdul Rahman Al-Shtaiwi
Age unknown male injured
Mohammed Al-Soni
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (18) [ collapse]

  • Video report by Libya Alahrar TV
  • Child being treated after being injured in an alleged LNA strike on Janzur on October 6th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Victim being treated after being injured in an alleged LNA strike on Janzur on October 6th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Child being treated after being injured in an alleged LNA strike on Janzur on October 6th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Victim being treated after being injured in an alleged LNA strike on Janzur on October 6th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Horse killed in an alleged LNA strike on Janzur on October 6th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Child being carried away after an alleged LNA strike on Janzur on October 6th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Smoke rising after an alleged LNA strike on Janzur on October 6th, 2019 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • Child being treated after an alleged LNA strike on Janzur on October 6th, 2019 (via Libya Ambulance Services)
  • Smoke rising after an alleged LNA strike on Janzur on October 6th, 2019 (via Libya Alahrar TV)
  • Smoke rising after an alleged LNA strike on Janzur on October 6th, 2019 (via Libya Alahrar TV)
  • Smoke rising after an alleged LNA strike on Janzur on October 6th, 2019 (via Libya Alahrar TV)
  • Smoke rising after an alleged LNA strike on Janzur on October 6th, 2019 (via Libya Alahrar TV)
  • Destruction after an alleged LNA strike on Janzur on October 6th, 2019 (via Libya Alahrar TV)
  • Destruction after an alleged LNA strike on Janzur on October 6th, 2019 (via Libya Alahrar TV)
  • Damaged building after an alleged LNA strike on Janzur on October 6th, 2019 (via Libya Alahrar TV)
  • Damaged building after an alleged LNA strike on Janzur on October 6th, 2019 (via Libya Alahrar TV)
  • Smoke rising after an alleged LNA strike on Janzur on October 6th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Equestrian Club in Janzur (جنزور), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.834054, 13.011325. 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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC240

Incident date

November 9, 2019

Location

طرابلس‎: طريق المطار, Tripoli: Airport road, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were allegedly injured by indiscriminate artillery shelling in the south of Tripoli.

Tk Yahroug Kl shy reported: “A shell hit a house on the airport road near the self-sufficiency (Al Iktifa’ Al Zati) project and injured three family members, we ask God for safety.”

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

There is currently no further information available

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Airport road (طريق المطار) in Tripoli (طرابلس‎) for which the generic coordinates are: 32.834151 13.216582. 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 status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]