Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

Incident Code

LC223

Incident date

October 22, 2019

Location

مشروع الهضبة, Hadaba project, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.838333, 13.175278 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reportedly injured by indiscriminate shelling on the Hadaba project in Tripoli.

The Ambulance Services Libya said: “The driver Abdul Basset al-Muqtaf, who was just injured by shrapnel in the head after rescuing some families who were hit by indiscriminate shells on their homes in the area of the project.”

Al Wasat published a similar report.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested 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 attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Victim being treated after being injured by shelling on Tripoli on October 22nd, 2019 (via Libya Ambulance Services)
  • Victim being treated after being injured by shelling on Tripoli on October 22nd, 2019 (via Libya Ambulance Services)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Hadaba Project (مشروع الهضبة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.838333, 13.175278. 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
    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 attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC222

Incident date

October 22, 2019

Location

صلاح الدين, Salaheddin, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.846389, 13.161667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between two and three children were killed in an LNA artillery strike on the Salaheddin neighbourhood of Tripoli.

Al Wasat reported: “Amin al-Hashemi, media advisor to the Ministry of Health in the government of Al-Wefaq, announced the death of two children and the injury of a child from the Zlitni family in an artillery shelling that hit Salah al-Din area in the capital Tripoli.

Al-Hashimi said in a statement to Al-Wasa that the two children, Rawan and Jumana, one of whom did not exceed the age of four, and the other at the age of eight, died when an artillery shell hit their apartment in Salaheddin area, pointing out that the child Nazir – three years – was injured. He was taken to Tunisia for treatment.”

Afrigate and the GNA-run Burkan Al Ghadab operation reported a death count of three, while most other sources reported two deaths and one injury. Burkan Al Ghadab also added that the children’s parents were injured.

Khamis Mahmoud Al Sheikhi said that three children were killed in “Building number 9” the “the rocket flew from behind the shops opposite the buildings.”

Burkan Al Ghadab said the victims are from the Al Duwaibi family.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Rawan
4 years old male killed
Jumana
8 years old female killed
Nazir
3 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2–3 children)
  • 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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Damaged building after alleged LNA shelling on Salaheddin on October 22nd, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of the alleged victims (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another picture of one of the alleged victims (via Burkan Al Ghadab/GNA)
  • Ambulance arriving after alleged LNA shelling on Salaheddin on October 22nd, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Smoke rising after alleged LNA shelling on Salaheddin on October 22nd, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Smoke rising after alleged LNA shelling on Salaheddin on October 22nd, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Salaheddin (صلاح الدين), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.846389, 13.161667. 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 Salaheddin (صلاح الدين).

    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
    2 – 3
  • (2–3 children)
  • 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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC221

Incident date

October 17, 2019

Location

بئر التوتة, Bi'r Altota, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.674722, 13.241944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Civilian casualties were reported because of indiscriminate shelling on the Bi’r Altota neighbourhood of Qasr Bin Gashir.

Tk Yahroug Kl Shy said: “The house of Amer al-Fires in Bir al-Touta area was hit by indiscriminate shells, causing civilian casualties.”

There is currently no other information available.

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • 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 neighbourhood of Bi’r Altota (بئر التوتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.674722, 13.241944. 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 Bi’r Altota (بئر التوتة).

    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
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • 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

LC220

Incident date

October 16, 2019

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

An ambulance driver was reportedly injured by indiscriminate shelling on Ain Zara.

Ambulance Services Libya said: “The driver Mohamed Fawzi of the rescue team was injured by a shell while he was working in the Ain Zara area and was transferred to the medical center for treatment.”

Later it added: “The ambulance and emergency team visited the driver Mohammed Fawzi to check on his health.

It is noteworthy that he was injured at dawn today in Ain Zara while he was working to rescue the injured and is now in the care room of Tripoli Medical Center after some surgery.”

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

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested 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 attackers
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Victims being treated after alleged artillery shelling on Ain Zara on October 16th, 2019 (via Ambulance Services Libya)

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.

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
    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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC219

Incident date

October 14, 2019

Location

Ministerial Building, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.848811, 13.238981 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three young sisters were reportedly killed by an LNA airstrike on the Fornaj neighbourhood of Tripoli.

Reuters reported: “Three children, all sisters, were killed, and their mother and a fourth sister wounded in an air strike that hit a house near a military intelligence camp in Libya’s capital on Monday, a Reuters reporter and health officials said.

Libya’s internationally recognized government blamed the strike on the forces of Khalifa Haftar, the commander based in the east of the North African country who had been trying to seize Tripoli in the west in a ground and air campaign since April 2019.

A Reuters reporter saw a heavily damaged two-storey house which witnesses said had been hit around midday. The family living there were among those displaced from the outskirts of Tripoli since the start of Haftar’s campaign, residents said.

One neighbor, Walid Khamis, said he had heard a single warplane before the strike. ‘It circled, dipped, then launched,’ he said.”

The Ambulance Services Libya said the father was also injured. Al Wasat also said three people were injured in addition to the killed sisters.

Libya Alahrar TV reported the highest toll of wounded civilians: “Minister of Health: 3 children were killed and 9 injured, including a girl whose leg was amputated by shelling of Al-Farnaj.”

The Libya Observer said in late November: “The report mentioned several violations like the killing of four children in their house by Haftar’s forces shelling in Al-Furnaj on October 14, airstrikes on a migrants’ center in Tajoura, where scores of civilians were killed in last June.”

UNSMIL heavily condemned the attack: “Once again, innocent children pay the ultimate price. An attack today ended, in the most horrible way, the lives of three innocent young girls of the same family, burying them under the rubble of a house razed by an airstrike in the al-Fernaj neighbourhood in Tripoli. Another young girl of the same family and the mother were injured in the airstrike, which was reportedly conducted by a fighter jet belonging to ‘LNA’ forces.”

The LNA spokesperson Ahmed Al Mesmari tweeted about the incident: “We did not target any civilian locations in Tripoli, Any target is decided based on confirmed and triple checked ground intelligence and are chosen very carefully.”

On December 23rd, the Libya Observer reported that the surviving sister – Shima Qushaira – was still being treated, and had had her left leg amputated.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Wife of Ismail Qushaira
Adult female injured
Shima Qushaira
Child female Daughter of Ismail Qushaira injured
Daughter of Ismail Qushaira
Child female killed
Daughter of Ismail Qushaira
Child female killed
Daughter of Ismail Qushaira
Child female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (3–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–9
  • 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

Sources (40) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (21) [ collapse]

  • Video of the aftermath
  • Another video showing the site of the alleged strike
  • Another video of the aftermath
  • Another video of the incident
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of one of the alleged victims (via Ambulance Services Libya)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of another one of the alleged victims (via Ambulance Services Libya)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of the third alleged victim (via Ambulance Services Libya)
  • Shima Qushaira, recovering after being injured in alleged LNA strike on Tripoli on October 14th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Shima Qushaira, recovering after being injured in alleged LNA strike on Tripoli on October 14th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Destroyed building after alleged LNA strike on Tripoli on October 14th, 2019 (via Libya Ambulance Services)
  • Destroyed building after alleged LNA strike on Tripoli on October 14th, 2019 (via Libya Ambulance Services)
  • Destroyed building after alleged LNA strike on Tripoli on October 14th, 2019 (via Libya Ambulance Services)
  • Ambulance arriving after alleged LNA strike on Tripoli on October 14th, 2019 (via Libya Ambulance Services)
  • Ambulance arriving after being injured in alleged LNA strike on Tripoli on October 14th, 2019 (via Libya Ambulance Services)
  • Destroyed building after alleged LNA strike on Tripoli on October 14th, 2019 (via Libya Ambulance Services)
  • Ambulance arriving after alleged LNA strike on Tripoli on October 14th, 2019 (via Libya Ambulance Services)
  • Ambulance arriving after alleged LNA strike on Tripoli on October 14th, 2019 (via Libya Ambulance Services)
  • Ambulance arriving after alleged LNA strike on Tripoli on October 14th, 2019 (via Libya Ambulance Services)
  • Ambulance arriving after alleged LNA strike on Tripoli on October 14th, 2019 (via Libya Ambulance Services)
  • Victim arriving in Italy for medical attention after alleged LNA strike on Tripoli on October 14th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)
  • Victim arriving in Italy for medical attention after alleged LNA strike on Tripoli on October 14th, 2019 (via Libya Observer)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a ministerial building being struck in the neighbourhood of Al Fornaj (الفرناج). Analyzing audio-visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to these exact coordinates: 32.848811, 13.238981.

  • Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Imagery:
    Libya Ambulance Services

  • Evidence of damage to structures due to the strike. Left is an image from 5th Oct 2020, and right is an image from 19th Oct 2020.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Libyan National Army Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (3–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–9
  • 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

Sources (40) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC218a

Incident date

October 13, 2019

Location

Unknown, Libya

Airwars assessment

One child was reportedly killed by a possible airstrike in Libya.

Sputnik said: “The day before [October 13th], there were reports that a 13-year-old boy was killed while he was at home.”

The source did not provide further details.

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
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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

No geolocation information available.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown 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
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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

LC218

Incident date

October 13, 2019

Location

Yarmouk camp, قصر بن غشير, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.774430, 13.205566 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Medical personnel was reported killed by an LNA airstrike near the Yarmouk camp in Qasr Bin Gashir.

Libya Alahrar TV reported: “Hafter warplanes bombard a field hospital in Khallet Al Furjan, leaving dead and wounded.

The field commander in the axis of the airport road, Mohammed bin Yusuf confirmed the shelling of the pro-Haftar planes on a field hospital near the Yarmouk camp in the early morning hours of Sunday.

Bin Yusuf said in a statement to Libya Al Ahrar, that the raid resulted in the deaths of medical staff between nurses and doctors, pointing out that the current situation is relatively calm.”

According to Ewan Libya and 218 TV the LNA had confirmed airstrikes in the area on that day without mentioning civilian harm.

There is currently no more information available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2–3 healthcare_personnel)
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Yarmook Camp (مخيم اليرموك), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.774430, 13.205566. 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
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • (2–3 healthcare_personnel)
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC217

Incident date

October 13, 2019

Location

جامعة افريقيا المتحدة, University of Africa , Jafara, Libya

Geolocation

32.531577, 13.020688 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reportedly injured by an LNA airstrike on Aziziya.

Hona Souq Al-Khmies reported: “The fall of random shells on Aziziya on the farm of Al-Madani and the injury of a member of the family lightly wounded and leaving material damage.”

The LNA had confirmed airstrikes in the area, according to Ewan Libya and 218 TV: “The Air Force targeted an ammunition depot and mechanisms, located behind the University of Africa, other sites belonging to armed groups in Camp Hamza, the vicinity of Khalat Al Furjan and a farm on Sidra Street, in addition to successive strikes on armed concentrations in the vicinity of the Aziziyah area.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the University of Africa (جامعة افريقيا المتحدة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.772972, 12.750194. 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
    Declared strike
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]