Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

LC204a

Incident date

September 27, 2019

Location

مقر كتيبة النواصي, Nawasi headquarters, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.88968, 13.16278 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reportedly killed in an airstrike by the LNA or a foreign fighter plane on Tripoli. However, the combatant status of the victims is contested.

Al Mashhad said: “A spokesman for the Ministry of Health of the GNA in Tripoli said that two civilians, one of them an employee of the Ministry of Health, were killed in an air strike on Friday morning targeting the headquarters of Al Nawasi battalion of the Ministry of Interior of the National Accord government.”

Libya Observer also claimed they were civilians and named the victims: “Witnesses reported that windows to residential buildings nearby the targeted site were broken, due to the force of the explosion.

The Ministry of Health confirmed the death of two people in the attack; one of them was a staff member of the ministry, who was killed by the shrapnel of the shelling.

The head of the ministry’s crisis and emergency committee, Fawzi Onis, said the employee at the ministry’s office, Marwan Jernazi, was killed on the line of duty while treating the patients and injured.”

Hona Souq Al-Khmies and Address Libya said the victims were in fact members of the GNA-affiliated Nawasi battalion

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali Al Dernawi
Adult male Combatant status unclear killed
Marwan Jernazi
Adult male Combatant status unclear killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
    Libyan National Army, Unknown
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (17) [ collapse]

  • Smoke rising after an airstrike on the headquarters of the Nawasi brigade in Tripoli on September 27th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Smoke rising after an airstrike on the headquarters of the Nawasi brigade in Tripoli on September 27th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Smoke rising after an airstrike on the headquarters of the Nawasi brigade in Tripoli on September 27th, 2019 (via Libya Witness)
  • Smoke rising after an airstrike on the headquarters of the Nawasi brigade in Tripoli on September 27th, 2019 (via Libya Witness)
  • Smoke rising after an airstrike on the headquarters of the Nawasi brigade in Tripoli on September 27th, 2019 (via Libya Witness)
  • Smoke rising after an airstrike on the headquarters of the Nawasi brigade in Tripoli on September 27th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Smoke rising after an airstrike on the headquarters of the Nawasi brigade in Tripoli on September 27th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Smoke rising after an airstrike on the headquarters of the Nawasi brigade in Tripoli on September 27th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Destruction at the headquarters of the Nawasi brigade after an airstrike in Tripoli on September 27th, 2019 (via 218TV)
  • Destruction at the headquarters of the Nawasi brigade after an airstrike in Tripoli on September 27th, 2019 (via 218TV)
  • Destruction at the headquarters of the Nawasi brigade after an airstrike in Tripoli on September 27th, 2019 (via 218TV)
  • Destruction at the headquarters of the Nawasi brigade after an airstrike in Tripoli on September 27th, 2019 (via 218TV)
  • Destruction at the headquarters of the Nawasi brigade after an airstrike in Tripoli on September 27th, 2019 (via 218TV)
  • Destruction at the headquarters of the Nawasi brigade after an airstrike in Tripoli on September 27th, 2019 (via 218TV)
  • Destruction at the headquarters of the Nawasi brigade after an airstrike in Tripoli on September 27th, 2019 (via 218TV)
  • Destruction at the headquarters of the Nawasi brigade after an airstrike in Tripoli on September 27th, 2019 (via 218TV)
  • Destruction at the headquarters of the Nawasi brigade after an airstrike in Tripoli on September 27th, 2019 (via 218TV)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Nawasi Headquaters (مقر كتيبة النواصي), located in the vicinity of the Daewoo building, for which the exact coordinates are: 32.88968, 13.16278.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Nawasi Headquaters (مقر كتيبة النواصي), located in the vicinity of the Daewoo building.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Evidence of the strike can be seen in a comparison of satellite imagery available. On the left an image from August 10th, 2019, and on the right an image from October 5th, 2019.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 2
  • Civilians reported injured
    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
    Libyan National Army, Unknown
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC258a

Incident date

December 22, 2019

Location

طرابلس‎, Tripoli: Airport road, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

One child was reportedly injured by shelling near the Airport road in Tripoli.

Libyan Crimes Watch said: “On December 22, a child was injured by shrapnel in several areas of his body, as a result of a shell landing near his house on the airport road.”

Local reports of fighting point at the 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
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the road leading to the airport in Tripoli (طرابلس‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.806027, 13.139814. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the road leading to the airport in Tripoli (طرابلس‎).

    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

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC304

Incident date

February 27, 2020

Location

الرواجح, Al Rawajeh, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.727222, 13.665833 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Five civilians from one family were allegedly killed by a Turkish drone strike on Castelverde.

Akhbar Libya 24 said: “The Libyan National Army confirmed the killing of an entire family of five people as a result of an airstrike launched by a Turkish plane on the Al-Rawajeh area near Qarah Bulli, east of the capital, Tripoli.

‘Five victims of one family, the father, the mother, and the sons, were killed as a result of the targeting of their car by a drone in the Al-Rawajeh area on the outskirts of the capital, Tripoli, said the spokesman for the commander-in-chief of the army, Major General Ahmed Al-Mismari, in a Facebook post.”

Other sources also reported five victims.

Libya Witness said the drone took off from Mitiga airport in Tripoli.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Salem Al-Mabrouk Jumaa
Adult male Father killed
Aisha Faraj Jumaa
Adult female Mother killed
Ahmed Salem
Child male Son killed
Amira Salem
Child female Daughter killed
Abrar Salem
Child female Daughter killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children1 woman1 man)
  • 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.

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Video showing the car allegedly targeted in the strike
  • Picture of allegedly shelling on Castelverde on February 27th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Rawajeh (الرواجح), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.727222, 13.665833. 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 Rawajeh (الرواجح).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • (3 children1 woman1 man)
  • 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.

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC336

Incident date

April 6, 2020

Location

مستشفى الخضراء, Khadra Hospital, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.854416, 13.192035 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was allegedly injured by LNA shelling near the Khadra Hospital in Tripoli. A woman also reportedly suffered a miscarriage because of the stress caused by the bombardment.

The Libya Observer wrote: “The attacks caused several injuries among civilians, especially the ones that targeted Al-Khadra Hospital in Al-Hadba, where many medical staffers and patients were left in utter panic and intimidation.

A nurse at the hospital, who asked not to be named, said a pregnant woman aborted due to the panic and horror she was in when the shelling hit the hospital.

The media adviser of the Health Ministry Ameen Al-Hashimi said a foreign worker was injured in the vicinity of Al-Khadra Hospital, which was targeted by Haftar’s rockets Monday afternoon.”

Tk Yahroug Kl shy also reported the miscarriage: “All patients in the green hospital went down to the lower floors as a result of the bombing, as there is a pregnant woman who was in the department aborted and her fetus died while she is now under operations.”

The Field Medicine and Support Center said that six patients had to be evacuated because of the shelling.

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
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (25) [ collapse]

  • Smoke rising near Khadra Hospital after alleged LNA shelling on April 6th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Smoke rising near Khadra Hospital after alleged LNA shelling on April 6th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Smoke rising near Khadra Hospital after alleged LNA shelling on April 6th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Patient being evacuated after alleged LNA shelling on April 6th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Patient being evacuated after alleged LNA shelling on April 6th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Patient being evacuated after alleged LNA shelling on April 6th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Patient being evacuated after alleged LNA shelling on April 6h, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Patient being evacuated after alleged LNA shelling on April 6th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Patient being evacuated after alleged LNA shelling on April 6th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Patient being evacuated after alleged LNA shelling on April 6th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Patient being evacuated after alleged LNA shelling on April 6th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Patient being evacuated after alleged LNA shelling on April 6th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Patient being evacuated after alleged LNA shelling on April 6th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Patient being evacuated after alleged LNA shelling on April 6th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Patient being evacuated after alleged LNA shelling on April 6h, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Patient being evacuated after alleged LNA shelling on April 6th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Patient being evacuated after alleged LNA shelling on April 6th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Patient being evacuated after alleged LNA shelling on April 6th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Patient being evacuated after alleged LNA shelling on April 6th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Patient being evacuated after alleged LNA shelling on April 6th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Patient being evacuated after alleged LNA shelling on April 6th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Smoke rising after alleged LNA shelling on April 6th, 2020 (via Libya Observer)
  • Smoke rising after alleged LNA shelling on April 6th, 2020 (via Libya Observer)
  • Damaged window after alleged LNA shelling on April 6th, 2020 (via Libya Observer)
  • Damaged window after alleged LNA shelling on April 6th, 2020 (via Libya Observer)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Khadra Hospital (مستشفى الخضراء) being struck, for which the exact coordinates are: 32.854416 13.192035.

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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC366

Incident date

April 24, 2020

Location

مشروع الموز, Banana project, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.841667, 13.273056 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was allegedly killed by indiscriminate shelling near the Banana project in Tripoli.

The Field Medicine and Support Center initially said he was injured: “The University Hospital in Tripoli also received Mohammed Anwar Al-Bahri, who suffered a neck injury, as a result of the fall of a random shell in Al-Sabaa area, behind Al-Jadida prison, and he was transferred to Kaddour clinic for an urgent operation.”

Tk Yahrough Kl shy later said that he deceased.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Anwar Al-Bahri
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Banana Project (مشروع الموز) for which the generic coordinates are: 32.841667, 13.273056. 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
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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 attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC392

Incident date

May 12, 2020

Location

الحداد, Al Haddad, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.836005, 13.195116 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman was reported killed and nine other civilians including four women were injured in alleged LNA shelling on the Al Haddad area in Tripoli, Libya on May 12th, 2020 according to local sources.

Tk Yahrouq Kl shy posted “A shell landed on the Haddad area, on the Al Haddad Al Hadaba, which led to the death of the woman, Fajriya Souf Hassan, the injury of her daughter…”

The GNA-ed Burkan Al Ghadab operation which said the area was targeted with grad rockets also identified the victims as Fajriya Souf Hasan Al Nakib (aged 68), and reported the injury of  Aiyada Ali Salama (F), Khaled Jumaa Muhammad (M), Mustafa Abdullah Al-Mabrouk (M), Mabrouka Omar Moftah (F), Ali Souf Hassan (M), Muhammad Al-Bashir Hamid (M), Muhammad Abdullah Al-Farjani (M), Rabiaa Abdel-Gawad (F) and Salima Ali Salama (F).

The Libya Observer reported from the Media Advisor of the Ministry of Health Amin Al-Hashemi  “the death of one person and the wounding of nine other citizens as a direct result of indiscriminate shelling of the Hadba area in Tripoli.”

The source also said that the injuries varied from light to severe, and that the injured were rushed to the Al-Hadaba General Hospital for treatment.

The LNA was blamed for this attack.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fajriyah will Hassan al-Nakib فجرية سوف حسن النكيب
68 years old female killed
Aiada Ali Salama عيادة علي سلامة
30 years old male injured
Khaled Jumaa Muhammad خالد جمعه محمد
37 years old male injured
Mustafa Abdullah Al-Mabrouk مصطفى عبدالله المبروك
27 years old male injured
Mabrouka Omar Moftah مبروكه عمر مفتاح
Age unknown female injured
Ali Souf Hassan علي سوف حسن
Age unknown male injured
Muhammad Al-Bashir Hamid محمد البشيرحامد
Age unknown male injured
Muhammad Abdullah Al-Farjani محمد عبدالله الفرجاني
Age unknown male injured
Rabiaa Abdel-Gawad ربيعة عبد الجواد
Age unknown female injured
Salima Ali Salama سالمه على سلامة
Age unknown female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Haddad (الحداد), for which the possible coordinates are: 32.836005, 13.195116. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (5) [ 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)

Aballah Mohammed al-Raqiq
Child male killed
Ahmed Mohammed al-Raqiq
Child male killed
Hana Mohammed al-Raqiq
Child male killed
Mansiya Khalif Hiblu
Child female pregnant Nine-months pregnant with twins killed
Riham Ali Ali al-Raqiq
Child female killed
Hiyam al-Raqiq
Child female killed
Su’ad Salim Sultan
Adult female killed
Abdel Muhimen Fathi al-Jarushi
7 years old male killed

Family members (4)

Hanan al-Ferjani
Adult female killed
Salma
0 years old female killed
Salma Mohammed Abu Hasina al-Ja’arud
Adult female killed
Fatima ‘Aquil Salah al-Ja’arud
Adult female killed

The victims were named as:

Hanan Ali Ali Hamed Gafez
Age unknown female killed
Salima Mohammed
Adult female killed
Su’ad Salim Sultan
Adult female killed
Arwa ‘Atiya Jweily
2 years old female killed
Mosbah Salim El Jahsh
Adult male killed
Moatouq Ali Sharaf El Deen
Adult male killed
Ali Salim El Jahsh
Adult male killed
Mostafa Ali Akdeesh
Adult male killed
Khalifa Mohamed Mansour Bin Ramadan
Adult male killed
Jumaa Ali El Hami
Adult male killed
Mostafa Ibrahim Absaat
Adult male killed
Ali Salama Abdullah El Hadami
Adult male killed
Fathi Omar Absaat
Adult male killed
Attia Ali Absaat
Adult male killed
Ali Maftah Mohamed El Jahsh
Adult male killed
Fathi Abdel Salam El Taweel
Adult male killed
Salem Omar Salem Waram
Adult male killed
Khaled Mubarak El Jaaroud
Adult male killed
Attia Mohamed Al Jarud
Adult male killed
Attia Ali Al Jarud
Adult male killed
Ibrahim Mansour Al Jarud
Adult male killed
Arhouma Fathi Arhouma Adreneesh
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
Official source

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

Lib2011-167

Incident date

September 17, 2011

Location

الشعبية, Al Sha'biya, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.19674643, 16.58422018 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On September 17th, 2011, it was reported that there were four civilian casualties in a NATO airstrike in Al-Sha’biya near Sirte.

An al-Gadafia Martyr’s post reported four deaths on September 19th, 2011, Sirte Martyrs reported the same amount of deaths.

Nour al-Din Nasser al-Zanki reported that the deaths were the result of a bombing on a family house in al-Sha’biya, leading to the death of 4 cousins.

NATO confirmed airstrikes on “2 Command and Control Nodes, 4 Multiple Rocket Launchers, 1 Armed Vehicle, 4 Surface to Air Missile Systems” the vicinity of Sirte on the 17th

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Reham Milad Khalifa al-Qahsi al-Gaddafi
Child female killed
Atiqa Masoud Khalifa al-Qahsi Gaddafi
Age unknown female Also identified as Aisha Milad Khalifa Masoud Al-Jurdi Al-Qahsi killed
Najat Abdel Rahim Ali Al-Qahsi Al-Gaddafi
Adult female killed
Najat Milad Khalifa al-Qahsi al-Gaddafi
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1–2 children2–3 women)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Sha’biya (الشعبية), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.19674643, 16.58422018. 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 Sha’biya (الشعبية).

    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

In the vicinity of Sirte: 2 Command and Control Nodes, 4 Multiple Rocket Launchers, 1 Armed Vehicle, 4 Surface to Air Missile Systems.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1–2 children2–3 women)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]