Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
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Incident Code

LC062

Incident date

March 3, 2017

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi: Ganfouda 12 building complex, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.023611, 20.039722 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman reportedly died on March 5th after she sustained severe injuries from shrapnel after an airstrike on March 3rd from what was described as a foreign aircraft.

The aircraft hit the 12 Buildings in Ganfouda approximately on March 3rd in support of the LNA campaign.

Alnabaa reported: “On Sunday, one of the women trapped in Ganfouda district, west of Benghazi, was killed by injuries sustained by foreign air strikes, according to a source from the Benghazi rebel council.

The source said the news channel that the woman spent two days injured after being hit by shrapnel from the bombing of foreign aircraft supporting the Karama militia, which targeted the places of refuge of families in the 12 buildings.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the 12 buildings in Benghazi, for which the coordinates are: 32.023611 20.039722. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC136

Incident date

May 8, 2019

Location

جسر الزهراء, Al Zahra Bridge, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.676671, 13.055878 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man was reportedly killed by an LNA airstrike on Janzur.

Tk Yahrog Kl Shy 2 posted on Facebook: “In the morning the families returns to the area of Al-Zahra bridge safely. They were hit by a bombardment by Al-Karama forces and four rockets landed on the houses and farms of the Al-Marbouk family. The damage was material and the family was safe. As for the case that hit a civilian above the Al-Zahra bridge of the family of Masoud Ghawar moved to the mercy of God.”

Other sources only reported only material damage to the house of the Marbouk family.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of the aftermath
  • Another picture of the incident

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Al Zahra bridge (جسر الزهراء) for which the generic coordinates are: 32.676671, 13.055878. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ049

Incident date

June 27, 2017

Location

الحدود الليبية المصرية, Libyan-Egyptian border, Butnan, Libya

Geolocation

29.3223255, 24.7302246 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to Reuters and local sources, Egyptian airstrikes destroyed 12 vehicles allegedly carrying weapons and explosives near the border between Libya and Egypt.

The sources were conflicted as to whether the incident took place inside Libya or Egypt, with most of them stating it was in Libya.

However, Libya Herald noted the following: “The Egyptian air force claims to have destroyed a convoy of trucks laden with weapons as it crossed from Libya south of the Siwa oasis between the Qattara Depression and the Egyptian Sand Sea in the Western Desert. It posted footage said to show the airstrikes going in on Tuesday as the convoy moved apparently slowly through a remote desert area. A military spokesman in Cairo said that the 12 vehicles had been hit when they were some 60 kilometres inside Egypt. He said the airstrikes had been ordered as part of an intelligence-led operation. After the air attack, ground forces were said to be pursuing the survivors. The Egyptians have revealed nothing about the identity of those in the convoy. However, the suspicion is that whether they were militants or just smugglers, the weapons, explosives and ammunition in the trucks were ultimately destined for terrorists based in Sinai.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Egyptian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Egyptian Military
  • Egyptian Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

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

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ012

Incident date

September 27, 2015

Location

بنغازي‎, Bouatni, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.0875, 20.172222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Local sources reported multiple helicopter strikes on Benghazi in the Bouatni, Sabri, Leithi and fish market areas. It also posted a video showing artillery shelling but didn’t specify on the location.

There were no public reports of civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A video shows some footages in the battlefield in Benghazi led by LNA (Source: LNA media office)

Libyan National Army Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ004

Incident date

November 22, 2014

Location

بئر الغنم, Bi'r al Ghanam, Zawiya, Libya

Geolocation

32.311608, 12.569035 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

LNA airstrikes reportedly targeted Libya Dawn at several locations in the south and west of the Libyan capital including Gheryan, Chalghouda, Nasser, Mazraq Al Qanqa, the Botteh Sorman farm, Bir Hwaisa, the Khuwaildi reserve, Bi’r Al Ghanam, Buaisa, Al Rabeta and the Shamalat factory. There were no public reports of civilian harm.

Sky News reported: “The Libyan air force on Friday [Nov 22nd] bombed sites belonging to militant groups known as Libya Dawn west of Tripoli, in the first daily raids targeting the region, the sources said. Yes, today the battle began in Tripoli, targeting the air force centres of terrorists, Libyan army spokesman Maj. Mohamed Hijazi told Sky News Arabiya on Saturday night [Nov 23rd].

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: Fajr Libya operation media offie confers that Haftar airforce conducted airstrike on the area of Shalghouda (Source: Almanara Libya)

Libyan National Army Assessment:

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

Summary

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

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-079

Incident date

April 27, 2011

Location

East of Steel Factory, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.336699, 15.215170 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A NATO airstrike reportedly killed between 11 and 12 rebels in a friendly fire incident near Misurata.

CNN said 11 rebels were killed and two wounded and added: “Angry survivors told Marie Colvin of The Sunday Times that they and the victims were on the coast, east of a steel plant, when a NATO plane bombed them. There were no other planes in the sky, the survivors said. NATO spokesman Eric Povel said he knew nothing about the report and would likely not learn more for several hours.”

Frian posted on Twitter: “A NATO airstrike in the besieged rebel-held city of Misurata mistakenly killed 12 Libyan rebels”

Other sources published similar posts, though with none of them specifying on which day the incident happened.

NATO itself reported hitting “2 rocket launchers; 2 artillery vehicles; 1 armoured personnel carrier” near Misurata on that day but did not mention friendly fire.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    11–12

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the shore to the east of the Steel Factory for which the generic coordinates are: 32.336699, 15.215170. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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 Misurata: 2 rocket launchers; 2 artillery vehicles; 1 armoured personnel carrier.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    11–12

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC196

Incident date

September 13, 2019

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.190547, 16.571441 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was allegedly injured in an LNA airstrike south of Sirte.

Akhbar Libya 24 reported: “Photographer Walid Zarmouh of Misurata was injured while escorting an armed convoy belonging to Al-Wefaq government [GNA] forces, which was heading towards Al Jufra military base.

A source familiar with the fact that Zarmouh was injured said a pre-emptive air strike carried out by the Air Force of the General Command of the Libyan Armed Forces targeted the convoy south of the city of Sirte at dawn on Friday.”

There is currently no more information available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Walid Zarmouh
Adult male Photojournalist injured

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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Picture of the alleged victim (via Akhbar Libya 24)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Sirte (سرت‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.190547, 16.571441. 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
    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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC128a

Incident date

April 27, 2019

Location

النعاعجة, Al Na'aija, Murqub, Libya

Geolocation

32.366389, 13.686389 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilian women were reportedly injured in a GNA airstrike on Tarhuna.

An Amnesty International investigation found: “On 27 April 2019, a GNA aircraft dropped a bomb on Tarhouna, in the courtyard of the al-Hbashi family, injuring two women and damaging the house. Umm Seif told Amnesty International:

‘I was at home alone with my daughters and my 13-year-old son. My husband had gone to Malaysia to bring home our oldest son who had been studying there for the past five years. My youngest boy had just left to go for private lessons when the bomb struck at the exact place where he had been playing just half an hour earlier. The whole house shook and fragments flew right through the inner rooms. My daughter Amani was injured in the face, throat and legs, and my other daughter fainted from the shock.’

In the adjacent house, 40-year-old Aaafia Salah showed Amnesty International the injuries she had sustained to the chest and limbs. She too was inside her home when the strike happened and was injured by fragments of masonry from the wall destroyed by the strike. Fragments recovered at the scene by Amnesty International investigators confirm the bomb was a FAB-500ShL, a 500kg unguided bomb called a “parachute bomb” by local residents because of the large white parachute that deploys out the back to slow and align the ordnance’s decent. This is a large explosive weapon, with a blast radius of over 800m, and therefore not an appropriate weapon to use in populated urban areas.”

Ali Alkasir reported: “Civilian houses in Tarhuna city were shelled by warplanes that left the Misrata Air Force College, wounding civilians and destroying their livelihoods.”

Other sources published similar accounts.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Aaafia Salah
40 years old female injured
Amani al-Hbashi
Age unknown female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 attacker
    Government of National Accord

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of the aftermath

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of  Al Na’aija (النعاعجة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.366389, 13.686389. 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 status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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 attacker
    Government of National Accord

Sources (5) [ collapse]