Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

Lib2011-042

Incident date

March 20, 2011

Location

البوابة الرشقية ألجدابيا, Ajdabiya’s eastern gate, Al Wahat, Libya

Geolocation

30.769320, 20.261783 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were killed by Gaddafi forces artillery shelling in Ajdabiya, according to an Amnesty International report.

The investigation noted: “Among [those killed] were 67-year old Miftah al-Tarhouni, and his 36-year-old son Mohammad, who were killed on 20 March near Ajdabiya’s eastern gate when their car was hit by a projectile – seemingly a rocket or an artillery shell. His son Adam told Amnesty International: ‘They were blown to pieces. We did not find their bodies, only shreds of flesh. They had set out to look for me in Zwaytinah, where I work. I got stuck there after al-Gaddafi’s forces invaded the area the week before.

‘In the meantime my family had fled Ajdabiya on 18 March, after the town was shelled the previous day. They went to take shelter in the desert to the south of the city, with many other families. The telephone network in the area had been cut off and we could not call each other. My father was worried about me and on Sunday [20 March] he decided to go to Zwaytinah to see me. As they passed near Ajdabiya’s east gate they were killed by a missile.'”

The investigation concluded: “In the cases mentioned above, and many others, the testimonies of survivors and witnesses and the details they and others provided concerning the positions of the two sides, al-Gaddafi forces and opposition fighters, at the time of the attacks strongly indicate that the projectiles were fired by al-Gaddafi forces.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Miftah al-Tarhouni
67 years old male killed
Mohammed al-Tarhouni
36 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image of Miftah and Mohammed Al-Tarhouni, allegedly killed by Gaddafi forces artillery shelling on Ajdabiya on March 20th, 2011 (via Amnesty International)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Ajdabiya’s eastern gate (البوابة الرشقية ألجدابيا), for which the generic coordinates are: 30.769320, 20.261783. 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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-214

Incident date

March 18–November 1, 2011

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Libya

Airwars assessment

One man was allegedly injured by a NATO airstrike while travelling in his car in Misurata.

Surt son posted two videos on Youtube of the young man telling his story how he was hit. In the videos he appears severely injured and burned.

There is currently no further information available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

NATO forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-083

Incident date

April 30, 2011

Location

مصراتة, MIsrata, Misrata, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

On April 30th, 2011, Gaddafi forces shelling of Misrata led to the reported killing of two people and left 17 others injured.

According to Al Jazeera, “A number of Libyan civilians and rebels were killed and wounded as a result of the continued bombardment by Gaddafi Brigades of the city of Misurata with rockets and mortars. Some of the injured were taken to Al Mahjoub clinic outside Misrata, and some of the injured lost their limbs. A medical source at the main city hospital explained to the island that the bombing had left two dead and 17 wounded.

Al Jazeera is the only known public source now available, and it remains unclear how many deaths and injuries were of civilians or rebels.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–17

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–2
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–17

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-127

Incident date

July 19, 2011

Location

مصراتة, Misrata, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

On July 19th, 2011, Gaddafi forces fired five Grad missiles on Misurata, reported to have killed one and wounded 20 others. It was unclear whether the casualties were belligerents or civilians.

A Facebook post from Malek Algasier stated “The outcome of today’s clashes in Misurata, one martyr [Muhammad Sa`id Ihmida] and twenty wounded.”

Multiple sources reported the single death, but only the Malek Algasier Facebook post reported a wounded count.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Sa`id Ihmida
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–20
  • 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
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–20

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Misrata (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.

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
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 1
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–20
  • 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
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–1
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–20

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-056

Incident date

March 31, 2011

Location

دوار بين كرزاز و كوبري اقزير, Roundabout between Kerzaz and Askir Bridge , Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.336090, 15.097974 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On March 31st, 2011 between six and seven civilians were killed on the roundabout between the Karzaz neighborhood and Igzir bridge in Misrata by Gaddafi forces. Two civilians were children, seven year old Amma ‘Adel al-Asta and 18 month old Ru’a ‘Adel al-Asta. An Amnesty report and Facebook posts report on the deaths, with another tweet from Arab nations reporting another five deaths.

Amnesty reported on the death of two children, stating “seven-year-old Amna ‘Adel al-Asta and her 18-month-old sister Ru’a were fatally wounded on 31 March after their family fled their home in Kerzaz”.

Multiple sources from Facebook posts and tweets reported on the other casualties.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Amma Adel al-Asta
7 years old female killed
Ru'a 'Adel al-Asta
1 years old female killed
Ibrahim Salem Shaklawon
Age unknown male killed
Lotfi Muhammad Obaid
Age unknown female killed
Sulaiman Ahmed
Age unknown male killed
Salah Muhammad Abu Qurain
Age unknown male killed
Muhammad Al-Shuwain
Age unknown male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a roundabout between the neighbourhood of Kerzaz (كرزاز) and Askir Bridge (كوبري اقزير). Research shows multiple roundabouts between these two locations, therefore the coordinates given are of a generic point in between these locations at: 32.336090, 15.097974. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention a roundabout between the neighbourhood of Kerzaz (كرزاز) and Askir Bridge (كوبري اقزير). Research shows multiple roundabouts between these two locations.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6 – 7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-216

Incident date

November 16, 2011

Location

تاورغاء, Tawergha, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.024629, 15.015048 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man died after being severely beaten while being held in custody by the Independence Brigade rebels in Tawrga’a on November 16, 2011 according to UN Report Source Page 82. According to another man that was detained with him and was released, the man was beaten until he lost consciousness for nearly two days. He was later transferred to a hospital in Misrata where he died of his injuries and his family doesn’t know the exact date of his death but was informed by the hospital on November 16, 2011.

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 man)
  • 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 town of Tawergha (تاورغاء), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.024629, 15.015048. 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 man)
  • 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

Lib2011-159

Incident date

September 7, 2011

Location

ابالحنيوة, Al Haniyah, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.018033, 16.919868 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was reported killed by a NATO or Rebel forces airstrike on the Al Haniyeh neighbourhood of Sirte.

Nour Al Din Nasser Al Zanki said that “he suffered full body and face burns, cut wounds to the right leg, and amputation of a toe on the right foot. He died several days later.”

Sirte martyrs reported: “The martyr Abu Nawf and his father, the martyr Abu Ajila Al-Jayer Abu Nawf Al-Tarshani Al-Gaddafi, Abu Nawf was martyred on 07/09 2011 as a result of his injury in the Al-Haniyeh area and died of surgery in Ibn Sina Hospital”. It is unclear whether his father also deceased in the attack.

NATO on that day reported hitting “5 Armoured Fighting Vehicles, 2 Armed Vehicles” in the vicinity of Sirte.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Abushnaf Abu Ajila
12 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 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
    NATO forces, Libyan rebel forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Abushnaf Abu Ajila, allegedly killed in NATO or Rebel forces airstrike on Sirte on September 7th, 2011 (via Surt Son)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village Al Haniyah (ابالحنيوة) named after the valley stretching to the north, for which the generic coordinates are: 31.018033, 16.919868. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

NATO forces Assessment:

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

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
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 2
  • (1 child1 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
    NATO forces, Libyan rebel forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-183

Incident date

September 26, 2011

Location

الحي رقم 2 في مدينة سرت, neighborhood number 2, Sirte, Libya

Airwars assessment

One source reported that two children were killed by a NATO strike in neighbourhood two in Sirte, in September 26th 2011.

NATO on that day reported hitting “1 ammunition/vehicle storage facility” in the vicinity of Sirte.

There is currently no further information available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mustafa Muhammad Al-Mahdi Al-Mansouri مصطفى محمد المهدي المنصوري
10 years old male killed
Hana Mohammed Al Mahdi Al Mansouri هناء محمد المهدي المنصوري
6 years old female hit by shrapnel in her leg killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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: 1 ammunition /vehicle storage facility.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]