Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

Lib2011-039

Incident date

March 19, 2011

Location

الزاوية‎, Zawiya, Libya

Geolocation

32.759709, 12.732495 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An elderly Palestinian woman was allegedly killed by Gaddafi forces shelling on Zawiya.

According to Palestine Book : “The martyrdom of the elderly Palestinian Alamiya Al-Kamoudi, 71 years old, and the wounding of her brother and his wife (residing in Libya), from Al-Bureij camp in the Gaza Strip, as a result of indiscriminate bombing by Gaddafi forces of citizens’ homes in Al-Zawiya city in Libya.”

Alaa Zaghir and Gaza Youth also reported her death but did not mention additional injuries.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Alamiya Al-Kamoudi
71 years old female killed
Brother of Alamiya Al-Kamoudi
Adult male injured
Sister in law of Alamiya Al-Kamoudi
Adult female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 target
    Other

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Zawiya (الزاوية‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.759709, 12.732495. 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
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 target
    Other

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-201

Incident date

October 6–7, 2011

Location

الدولار, Dollar , Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.198743, 16.571168 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were allegedly killed and a mother injured by a NATO airstrike on the Al Wafa neighbourhood of Sirte, which is alternatively referred to as Al Dollar neighbourhood..

ANVWL said on one of the victim’s circumstances of death on October 6th: “The child was killed in Al-Wafa neighbourhood, Al-Dollar neighbourhood, as a result of the indiscriminate shelling that fell on her family’s home, seriously injuring her mother.”

Shhda Aljmahyryt Alzmy listed three victims killed on October 7th.

NATO reported no strikes on October 6th and one strike on a “Firing and Vehicle Staging Point” in Sirte.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Salam Jumaa Ali Al-Qahsi Al-Gaddafi
Child female killed
Nour Al-Hoda Hussein, Al-Tayeb Al-Qahsi Al-Gaddafi
Age unknown female killed
Rola Ahmid Abd al-Salam Abu Minyar al-Qahsi al-Gaddafi
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Rola Ahmid Abd al-Salam Abu Minyar al-Qahsi al-Gaddafi, allegedly killed by NATO airstrike on Sirte on October 6th or 7th 2011 (via Shhda Aljmahyryt Alzmy)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Dollar (الدولار) in the city of Benghazi (بنغازي), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.198743, 16.571168. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Dollar (الدولار) in the city of Benghazi (بنغازي).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

NATO forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    NATO forces
  • NATO forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

NATO forces
Official source

1 Firing and Vehicle Staging Point was engaged and destroyed in Sirte.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (2 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    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.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-085

Incident date

May 5, 2011

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.374457, 15.087794 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 2nd 2011, multiple sources reported shelling on Misurata by Gaddafi forces, killing at least six and injuring dozens. It was unclear how many of those harmed were civilians or combatants.

Reuters wrote that about a hundred rockets had been fired into Misurata by Gaddafi forces.

According to Ahrar Libya : “A medical source in the city stated that ‘there are six dead and dozens of wounded,’ but he did not specify the number of civilians or military personnel killed. The port of Misurata, which is the only outlet for the transfer of humanitarian aid and weapons to this city, was subjected to violent bombardment by Gaddafi forces on Sunday, during which two of the rebels were killed, according to eyewitnesses.

“And medical sources reported that Nigerians and Egyptians were seriously injured after they happened to be among hundreds of African refugees in a camp near the port when it was bombed. A medical source said that “there is not enough information yet about the refugees,” expressing his fear that the number of victims will be greater.”

Other sources published similar reports.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–12
  • 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
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–6
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–12

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The video shows a young boy at the Misrata Red Cresent Center in Abad, dated on May 5th, 2011.
  • Civilian or militant allegedly injured by Gaddafi forces shelling on Misurata on May 2nd, 2011 (via Trayes Misurata)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Misurata (مصراتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.374457, 15.087794. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Gaddafi Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 6
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–12
  • 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
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–6
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–12

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-200

Incident date

October 5, 2011

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.20892, 16.58866 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On October 5th, 2011, four children were injured in Sirte due to shrapnel from Grad rockets, suspected to have been fired by Libyan rebel forces. No additional information on the children were provided.

An al-Jamahiriya posted stated that “4 children were injured by shrapnel at the Sirte Gulf conference as a result of the Grad rockets.”

The information was reported in multiple other Facebook posts as well.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 rebel forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Sirte Gulf Conference (مؤتمر خليج سرت), allegedly located within the city of Sirte (سرت‎). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Sirte are: 31.20892, 16.58866.

Libyan rebel forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Libyan rebel forces 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
    4
  • 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 rebel forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-020

Incident date

February 24, 2011

Location

القريات, Qaryat, Jabal al Gharbi, Libya

Geolocation

30.385255, 13.585348 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 24th, 2011, four civilians were reported killed and one injured in the Jabal al Gharbi district of Al Qaryat, after being shot by Gaddafi forces. Multiple tweets reported the casualties.

@tousniahorra states “Four people were killed in Qurayyat, which lies about 400 km south of the Libyan capital, Tripoli. Shot by the security Batillion”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Qayrat (قرية), for which the generic coordinates are: 30.385255, 13.585348. 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
    4
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-206

Incident date

November 15, 2011

Location

تاجوراء, Tajoura, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.830319, 13.383189 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least one man died from injuries sustained during his detention in a rebel-controlled facility in mid-November 2011 in Tajoura according to the UN Report Source Page 82.

A reported member of Gaddafi’s security agency was arrested at his father’s house on October 17, 2011 by rebels who did not have an arrest warrant and took him, along with four of his brothers and many of his possessions. The family of the man killed received a call from a Tripoli hospital saying that the man was in intensive care and by the next day, he was dead and his body was covered in injuries.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man1 other protected person)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Tajoura (تاغوراء), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.830319, 13.383189. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man1 other protected person)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ047

Incident date

June 17, 2017

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.105045, 20.086239 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two Facebook sources claimed that 13 “foreign airstrikes” had struck Benghazi, but seem to have copied one another on the information.

There were no known 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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ030

Incident date

May 29, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.075302, 19.8042297 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

LNA fighter jets targeted a vessel west of Qamins 25 km west of Benghazi according to the official LNA Facebook page.
Social media sources added that the LNA also launched raids on Qawarsheh, Bosnib and Sabri.

The status of any civilian crew onboard the vessel is unknown. 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (4) [ 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
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]