Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

Incident Code

Lib2011-076

Incident date

April 24, 2011

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between one and 14 civilians were allegedly killed by Gaddafi forces shelling on Misurata.

An Amnesty International investigation found the following: “Ahmed Ahmed al-Majdoub, a 64-year-old father of 10, was killed on 25 April at his daughter’s house in the Qasr Ahmad neighbourhood of Misratah, to the west of the port.”

The investigation quotes al-Majdoub’s son as saying: “After lunch everybody left and my father and my brother Fathallah stayed there. There had been many rockets that morning in the area but most of them fell into the sea or near the sea. At about 2.30pm a rocket struck near the house. I rushed over and found my father in pieces. One leg was completely severed and the other leg and one arm were only hanging by a thread and he was cut all over. He died almost immediately. My brother Fathallah had shrapnel injuries all over his body and was later evacuated by a humanitarian boat to a hospital in Benghazi.”

Reuters said at the time of the attack: “Speaking to Reuters by telephone, Muhammad Ibrahim, a resident of the city who visited its hospital on Monday, said that seven of those killed on Monday were civilians and three opposition fighters.

Three bodies were charred to the point of difficult identification due to the bombing on Sunday night. A ten-year-old child was killed in his sleep. But residents said that many shells fell in empty lands. They added that the bombing stopped when NATO warplanes flew overhead.”

Al Jazeera also reported on the event: “Press sources in Misrata: 14 people were killed and 25 wounded in the Qadhafi Brigades’ bombing of the city today”

The incident occured at 14:30:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

64 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 14
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–25
  • 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 targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Ahmed Ahmed al-Majdoub, allegedly killed by Gaddafi forces shelling on Misurata on April 24th, 2011 (via Misurata)

Geolocation notes

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    8 – 14
  • (1 child1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–25
  • 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 targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    3

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-192

Incident date

October 1, 2011

Location

1000 وحدة سكنية, 1000 Housing Project, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.201349, 16.583776 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was allegedly killed by a NATO airstrike on the 1,000 housing units in Sirte.

According to Al Gadadiffa martyrs, “Yaza Omar, age unknown, was killed due to the indiscriminate shelling of 1,000 housing units.”

NATO on that day reported hitting “1 command and control node, 1 infantry and anti-aircraft artillery staging area, 2 armed vehicles, 4 armoured infantry vehicles, 1 tank” in the vicinity of Sirte.

There is no further information currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the 1000 Housing Project (1000 وحدة سكنية) of Sirte (سرت‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.201349, 16.583776. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the 1000 Housing Project (1000 وحدة سكنية) of Sirte (سرت‎).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

NATO forces Assessment:

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

Original strike reports

NATO forces

In the vicinity of Sirte: 1 command and control node, 1 infantry and anti-aircraft artillery staging area, 2 armed vehicles, 4 armoured infantry vehicles, 1 tank.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-098

Incident date

May 27, 2011

Location

الدفنية, Al Dafniyah, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.390033, 14.7988488 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 27th, 2011, rocket strikes from Gaddafi forces in the Dafiniyah area of Misurata were said to have killed one reporter and six rebels, as well as injuring 25 other rebels.

Multiple sources described the reporter as Mohammad Al Ma’dani, a journalist who had documented the rebel groups.

Tawasul MC said: “25 wounded and the death of 7 of them, the media figure (Muhammad Al-Ma’dani) today at noon in the Al-Dafniyah area in Misurata.”

Two condolence posts on Facebook commemorated his death.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammad Al Ma'Dani
Adult male Reporter working in Misrata killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man1 journalist)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6
  • Belligerents reported injured
    25

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Photographs of Mohammad al-Ma'Dani, allegedly killed by a Gaddafi forces strike on Misurata on May 27th, 2011, recounting his journalist times (via Hussein Abdullah Al Jerani)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Dafiniyah (الدفنية), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.390033, 14.7988488. 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 Dafiniyah (الدفنية).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man1 journalist)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    6
  • Belligerents reported injured
    25

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-140

Incident date

August 10, 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 August 10th, 2011, Gaddafi forces reportedly fired between four to eight rockets at Misurata. A single source claims three had arrived in the hospital during the bombings, and an another source mentions injuries without providing a number. It was unclear how many of those who arrived at the hospital were injured, killed, as well as their combatant status.

An Al Somood Facebook post shows blood being take from an injured man in a hospital, and a brief interview with a doctor, showing two people injured, reportedly due to the Gaddafi strikes.

A misratapost tweet mentions “8 Grad rockets fell on the eastern region of Misurata, believed to have come from Tawergha.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–3
  • 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 target
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–3
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–3

Sources (7) [ 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.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    0–3
  • 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 target
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–3
  • Belligerents reported injured
    0–3

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-066

Incident date

April 11, 2011

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

On April 11th, 2011, three members of the Swaib family were killed, with three other member injured by Gaddafi forces in Misurata. A Facebook post from the page “Libya Only” reported the casualties on April 24th. A young child and his parents were injured, with another four year old child reported dead alongside two male adults.

Libya only reports ” he was injured when he was with his family near the island of Duran Karazaz (Muhammad Jamal Muhammad Swaib), where his grandfather (Muhammad Swaib, who was 63 years old) and his uncle (Hamza Muhammad Swaib, who was 22 years old) were martyred. And his cousin (Aisha Misbah Sweib, who was 4 years old!), And both his father and mother were injured.”

HRW and another page called “Martyrs List” confirmed the casualties.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Child male injured
63 years old male killed
22 years old male killed
4 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (3) [ 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.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-175

Incident date

September 22, 2011

Location

سرت, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

At lease one female civilian was injured in Sirte when she was struck by a stray bullet in her home on September 22, 2011 according to a tweet from @libyaalahrartv.

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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Sirte (سرت‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.20892, 16.58866. 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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC129

Incident date

April 28, 2019

Location

الكايخ, Al Kheikh, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.686667, 13.152500 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were allegedly injured by a GNA airstrike on Qasr Bin Gashir.

Riyadh Burshan posted images of an injured child and said: “The house of Abdul Karim Munir Qarifa was exposed to shrapnel as a result of the aerial bombardment of Qasr Bin Gashir, with human damages and injuries to family members.”

Tripoli Operations Room wrote: “The house of Abdul Karim Munir Qarifa was hit by shrapnel from airstrikes. There are human damages to the family and we ask God for safety.”

Oil Crescent News later published a video piece claiming between two and three civilians were injured in the strike.

Other sources only mentioned airstrikes but no civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    Government of National Accord

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of one victim and the aftermath
  • More pictures from the incident

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Kheikh (الكايخ), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.686667, 13.1525. 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 Kheikh (الكايخ).

    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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    Government of National Accord

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC207

Incident date

October 2, 2019

Location

المقر الرئيسي للشركة العامة للكهربا, Vicinity of General Electricity Company, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.824756, 13.129699 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was allegedly injured in the Jabas gate area in Janzur by an LNA shelling.

The rival GNA Burkan Al Ghadab operation reported: “Continuing the criminal record of the militias of the war criminal Hifter in targeting residential neighborhoods and infrastructure with indiscriminate shells: a shell landed on the traffic center (Markaz Al Mourour) opposite the electricity company in Bawabat Al Jabbas and an injured civilian was taken to hospital for treatment.”

Tk Yahrouq Kl shy and Libya Alahrar TV published similar reports.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Damaged building after airstrike on Janzur on October 2nd, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Remnants of ordnance after airstrike on Janzur on October 2nd, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Remnants of ordnance after airstrike on Janzur on October 2nd, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the area opposite the General Electricity Company of Libya HQ (المقر الرئيسي للشركة العامة للكهربا), in the vicinity of Jabas Gate (بوابة الجبس). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the General Electricity Company are: 32.824756, 13.129699.

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
    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]