Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
start date
end date
Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
Infrastructure

Incident Code

LC120

Incident date

April 19, 2019

Location

مدرسة تحرير ليبيا, Tahrer School, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.688062, 13.178065 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was reportedly killed by indiscriminate artillery shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir.

Riyadh Burshan said that Teqwa Abu Bakr Awn died after a shell landed in Qasr Bin Gashir.

Libyan News said it was near the School of Liberation.

Other sources published similar reports.

According to local sources, GNA and LNA were fighting in the area.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Teqwa Abu Bakr Awn
Child male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Tahrer School (مدرسة تحرير ليبيا) for which the generic coordinates are: 32.688062, 13.178065. 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 type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC164

Incident date

July 15, 2019

Location

مسجد الكحيلي, Kahily Mosque, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.780097, 13.302522 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed in an LNA airstrike on Ain Zara.

Tripoli Al Izz wrote: “The death of the young Karim Qashout, born in 1997, one of the staff of the coast of sweets after the bombing of his house in Ain Zara.”

February TV said: “One person was killed and members of his family were injured when the Haftar militia bombed his home in Ain Zara.”

Tarek Alwan tweeted about the death of his relative: “The death of the son of my cousin Karim Qashout as a result of indiscriminate shelling by the forces of Haftar, born in 1997 young man and polite working in the coast of sweets.”

An Amnesty International investigation later concluded: “Fragments examined at the scene by Amnesty International investigators confirm the weapon was a Chinese Blue Arrow 7 guided missile, launched from a Wing Loong drone that was operated by pilots from the UAE on behalf of the LNA. This was a precision strike which, in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, targeted a civilian by his home in an attack which could have endangered other civilian members of his family. Direct attacks against civilians may constitute war crimes.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Karim Qashout
22 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Picture of the victim
  • Another picture of the victim

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Kahily Mosque (مسجد الكحيلي) within Ain Zara (عين زارة) for which the generic coordinates are: 32.779842, 13.302453. 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, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–5
  • 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 (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC071

Incident date

May 20, 2017

Location

بين سوكنا وهون, Between Sokna and Hun, Jufra, Libya

Geolocation

29.07728, 15.864128 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Various local sources reported that airstrikes hit numerous targets in the Jufra district, including a farm between Hun and Sokna, Jufra air base, the civil airport and Al-Bunyan al-Marsous headquarters. Some sources claimed the strikes were conducted by the UAE, while others said it was LNA. The number of strikes varies between ten and twelve.

Weld Liblad, LPC and Menastream said one foreign civilian worker had been killed and two more injured at the farm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a farm being struck between the towns of Sokna (سوكنة‎) and Hun (هون). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for a middle point between these two locations are: 29.07728, 15.864128.

  • Reports of the incident mention a farm being struck between the towns of Sokna (سوكنة‎) and Hun (هون).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Libyan National Army Assessment:

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

United Arab Emirates Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    United Arab Emirates Military
  • United Arab Emirates Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (14) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC065

Incident date

March 14, 2017

Location

راس لانوف, Ras Lanuf, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

30.517778, 18.498889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Various local sources reported LNA airstrikes on the port area of Ras Lanuf supporting a ground offensive.

Raialyoum reported that “a Libyan oil company guard was killed by a bomb attack on the Ras Lanuf area of the oil crescent in central Libya on Tuesday by retired general Khalifa Haftar.”

The source added, “The site ‘Libya Al Khabar’ today quoted a leader of the ‘defense brigades of Benghazi’ as saying that the bombing also caused material damage, including damage to one of the oil tanks and the destruction of maintenance workshop close to the port of Ras Lanuf in full.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Ras Lanuf (راس لانوف), for which the generic coordinates are: 30.517778, 18.498889. 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

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

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC154

Incident date

June 18, 2019

Location

غريان, Gharyan, Jabal al Gharbi, Libya

Geolocation

32.169687, 13.019377 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A single source reported that one civilian was killed in a “criminal attack” on an aid convoy in Gheryan, Jabal al Gharbi, on June 18th.

According to the source, 218 TV, “a relief convoy carrying food and medicines from the interim government to the western region has been under criminal attack south of the city of Gheryan, killing one truck driver and damaging many items of aid, a spokesman for the interim government said.

Oreibi said that the convoy was attacked near the uninhabited Jendouba area. He said that the convoy carried fuel, oil, cooking gas and generators, as well as foodstuffs and medical supplies, including medical oxygen cylinders.”

The attack was attributed to the GNA.

No other information is known at this time.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Government of National Accord

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Gharyan (غريان‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.169687, 13.019377. 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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Government of National Accord

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC090

Incident date

September 18, 2018

Location

عين زارة, Ain Zara, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

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

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

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

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

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

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Image by Libya Observer (no caption)

Geolocation notes

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

7th Brigade Assessment:

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

Government of National Accord Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Government of National Accord
  • Government of National Accord position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

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

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC057

Incident date

January 3, 2017

Location

قاعدة الجفرة الجوية, Al Jufra Air Base, Jufra, Libya

Geolocation

29.181467, 16.009160 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Various local and international sources reported that an LNA airstrike hit Al-Jufra airbase and a C-130 aircraft with a civil and military delegation from the Misurata Military Council. The strike allegedly killed one member of the delegation and wounded two others. One of the injured was named as Colonel Ibrahim Bayt Al-Mal, the spokesperson of Misurata Military Council.

According to a passenger quoted by Libya Observer, Yousif Ben Yousif, the plane was hit by two bombs. Libya Akhbar noted that “The bombing of a civilian plane carrying a social delegation from the city of Misurata at Al-Jafra airport, the killing of one of the members of the delegation and the injury of others by Al-Karama Airlines led to a wave of local denunciations.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Adult male Via Libya Observer killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A wounded civilian is treated following the airstrike (via Libya Akhbar)

Geolocation notes (2) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Al Jufra Air Base (قاعدة الجفرة الجوية). Analyzing visual material from sources, we have narrowed down the location of the strike to these coordinates: 29.181467, 16.009160.

  • Evidence of the strike can be seen in a comparison of satellite imagery available. On the left an image from February 2nd, 2016, and on the right an image from January 19th, 2017.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Reports of the incident mention the Al Jufra Air Base (قاعدة الجفرة الجوية).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (22) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC146

Incident date

May 28, 2019

Location

الطويشة, Altwaisha, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.688716, 13.173889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One woman was allegedly killed by GNA shelling on Altwaisha in Qasr Bin Gashir.

Tarhuna 24 reported: “The death of Dhuhibs Alus – the wife of Mohammed Khalil al-Hakimi was killed by the fall of shells on their home in the area of Hakeimeh in Altwaisha.”

Hona Sog Al-Khmies published a similiar account: “The death of Dhuhibs Alus – the wife of Al Haj Mohammed Khalil Al-Hakimi was killed as a result of a shell falling on their house in Hakeimeh area.”

Tarhuna 24 posted pictures of injured people and said that the “al-Hakimi family house was damaged and the death of the mother.”

Mohammed Al Atrash and Alhadba al-Hadath published a similar report, saying that the mother died and the rest of the family was injured.

Libya Akhbar mentioned that civilians were targeted by GNA forces in Qasr Bin Gashir, according to the LNA Media Center. It did not provide number on how many victims occured.

Hona Sog Al-Khmies also reported a GNA airstrike in the same area.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Dhuhibs Alus
Adult male Wife of Mohammed Khalil al-Hakimi killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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
    Government of National Accord

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim allegedly injured by GNA shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on May 28th, 2019 (via Mohammed Al Atrash)
  • Victim allegedly injured by GNA shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on May 28th, 2019 (via Mohammed Al Atrash)
  • Victim allegedly injured by GNA shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on May 28th, 2019 (via Mohammed Al Atrash)
  • Victim allegedly injured by GNA shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on May 28th, 2019 (via Mohammed Al Atrash)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Altwaisha (الطويشة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.688716, 13.173889. 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 Altwaisha (الطويشة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Government of National Accord Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Government of National Accord
  • Government of National Accord position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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
    Government of National Accord

Sources (8) [ collapse]