Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Civilian Harm Status
Belligerent Assessment
Declassified Documents
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Civilian deaths alleged
Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

Lib2011-017

Incident date

February 21, 2011

Location

قاعدة فضيل بن عمر الجويه, Benghazi, Benghazi , Libya

Geolocation

32.112582, 20.082151 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Geolocation accuracy

City

Airwars assessment

On February 21st, 2011, nine burned bodies were found in the Fadeel ben Oumar military base, near Tripoli. The civilians had their hands tied behind their back, suspected to be due to capture by the Gaddafi forces, reported by a UN report.

The report states “on 21 February, he had been called to Fadeel ben Oumar military base, where in an underground cell, nine burned bodies were found. There was a fuel jerrycan beside the bodies. The bodies, (seemingly in civilian clothes from what remained), reportedly had their hands tied behind their back. The doctor noted they had suffered shots to the head, and he believed from the condition of the bodies that they had been burned after being killed.”

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
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

  • UN
    • Arabic
    • Arabic

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Fadil Ben Omar Military Base (قاعدة فضيل بن عمر الجويه ), allegedly in the vicinity of Benghazi (بنغازي‎). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Benghazi are: 32.112582, 20.082151.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

  • UN
    • Arabic
    • Arabic

Incident Code

Lib2011-018

Incident date

February 23, 2011

Location

ميدان الشهداء‎, Martyrs’ Square, Zawiya, Libya

Geolocation

32.895, 13.181111 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Geolocation accuracy

Nearby landmark

Airwars assessment

On February 23rd, 2011, seven civilians were killed by the 32nd Brigade in the central square of Al Zawiyah. A UN report mentioned the shooting of seven unarmed civilians.

The report states “The Commission found local authorities exercised initial restraint when engaging protesters in the central square in Al Zawiyah. The Commission determined a violent response began after the 32nd Brigade arrived on 23 February 2011 and shot at unarmed protesters, killing seven, and prompting an escalation of violence on both sides.”

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
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the central square and its general surroundings. One possible match for this square is the Martyrs’ square (ميدان الشهداء‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.895, 13.181111. 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
    7
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-019

Incident date

February 24, 2011

Location

ميدان الشهداء‎, Martyrs Square, Zawiya, Libya

Geolocation

32.759709, 12.732495 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Geolocation accuracy

Nearby landmark

Airwars assessment

On February 24th, 2011, between seven and ten were reported killed by Gaddafi forces in Martyr’s Square in Zawiya, with between 40 and 50 injured. UN reports and various tweets corroborated the casualties, alongside the killings of four Gaddafi soldiers.

The UN report states “The remainder of Qadhafi forces were overpowered by protesters and retreated outside the city. Four Qadhafi soldiers were captured. An eyewitness told the Commission that one of the captured soldiers was beaten to death in by an angry mob, while the other was hung from the Bir al-Ghanem bridge, at a distance of about 1.5 kilometres from the Square”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Name unknown Age unknown

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    7 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Martyrs’ Square (ميدان الشهداء‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.895, 13.181111. 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
    7 – 10
  • Civilians reported injured
    40–50
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-020

Incident date

February 24, 2011

Location

القريات, Qaryat, Jabal al Gharbi, Libya

Geolocation

30.385255, 13.585348 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Geolocation accuracy

Village

Airwars assessment

On February 24th, 2011, four civilians were reported killed and one injured in the Jabal al Gharbi district of Al Qaryat, after being shot by Gaddafi forces. Multiple tweets reported the casualties.

@tousniahorra states “Four people were killed in Qurayyat, which lies about 400 km south of the Libyan capital, Tripoli. Shot by the security Batillion”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Qayrat (قرية), for which the generic coordinates are: 30.385255, 13.585348. 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
    4
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-021

Incident date

February 24, 2011

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

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

Geolocation accuracy

City

Airwars assessment

On February 24th, 2011, one civilian was shot in Misrata by Gaddafi forces. The civilian was a Palestinian named Hassam Hatem Abdul Rahman Abu Mustafa. Multiple sources quoted his mother, who confirmed the death of her son.

A Facebook post from Nbprs Ps states “The mother of the martyr Hassan Hatem Abdul Rahman Abu Mustafa (20 years) confirmed that her son was killed in front of the family at the entrance to the house in Misrata, after his name and nationality were known to an armed group of militias affiliated with Gaddafi and not from the army.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

  • Hassan Hatem Abdul Rahman Abu Mustafa 20 years old male killed

Summary

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

Sources (2) [ 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
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-023

Incident date

February 25, 2011

Location

الزاوية, Al Zawiya, Libya

Geolocation

32.759709, 12.732495 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Geolocation accuracy

City

Airwars assessment

On February 25th, 2011, Gaddafi forces bombed a mosque in Al Zawiya, killing ten using artillery and aircraft. No additional information on the victims was reported, although the deaths were reported by multiple sources on Twitter.

@alahlawy29 tweeted “an eyewitness from Al-Zawiya to Al-Jazeera: Anti-tanks and aircraft are used against demonstrators in Libya.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • 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 target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a mosque being struck in the city of Zawiya (الزاوية‎). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Zawiya are: 32.759709, 12.732495.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Gaddafi 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
    10
  • 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 target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-022

Incident date

February 25, 2011

Location

طرابلس‎, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.886602, 13.190912 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Geolocation accuracy

City

Airwars assessment

On February 25th, 2011, five civilians were reported killed and between 12 and 24 injured as a result of Gaddafi forces in Tripoli. @Globe_info reported the casualties on Twitter.

@Globe_info states “The Zawia Street Hospital in Tripoli is now receiving five martyrs and dozens of wounded, some of them in danger.”

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
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • 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 Tripoli (طرابلس‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.886602, 13.190912. 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
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-025

Incident date

February 26, 2011

Location

ميدان الشهداء, Martyrs' Square, Al Zawiya, Libya

Geolocation

32.752250, 12.718912 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Geolocation accuracy

Nearby landmark

Airwars assessment

On February 26th, 2011, 50 civilians were reported killed and another 50 wounded as a result of heavy artillery shelling on the city of al-Zawiya by Gaddafi forces. Thirty of the wounded were taken to another location, though no other information was provided about casualties.

Al-Jazeera was the only source to report on the strike, quoting a local resident as stating that “mercenaries loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi killed at least 50 civilians in heavy artillery shelling during violent clashes last night with opponents of the regime, while about 50 others were wounded and 30 people were taken to an unknown destination.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    50
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention Martyrs’ Square (ميدان الشهداء ) being struck in the city of Zawiya (الزاوية‎), for which the general coordinates are: 32.752250, 12.718912. 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
    50
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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

Sources (1) [ collapse]