Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

Lib2011-099

Incident date

May 28, 2011

Location

بني وليد, Bani Walid, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

31.75805, 13.983513 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 28th, 2011, a demonstrated near the market in Bani Walid lead to the death of 13 civilians, who were shot by Gaddafi aligned forces.

A UN report from 2011 reported the casualty, stating “Together with 12 other young men, an injured man sought refuge in a room on the second floor of a nearby commercial building. Qadhafi forces, reportedly from the Al Fateh Brigade, stormed the building. One of the demonstrators told the Commission that his brother was amongst those who sought refuge in the building.  He spoke to his brother by phone, trying to reassure him. While he was speaking to his brother, the phone went dead. The interviewee was informed later that all the men in the room had been shot dead. One of the soldiers of the Al-Fateh Brigade, [003], was later arrested by the thuwar. While he was in custody, the witness had the opportunity to question him. The soldier said that he had been ordered to reassure the men in the room that they would be safe. The soldier also said that the young men had a number of rifles with them but they had no ammunition. The men had then been shot..”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    13

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town Bani Walid (بني وليد), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.75805, 13.983513. 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
    No
  • Civilians reported killed
    13

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-089

Incident date

May 7, 2011

Location

زاوية البقول, Zawiyat Al Baqoul, Yafran, Libya

Geolocation

31.989587, 12.430859 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were allegedly killed by Libyan rebel forces in Zawiyat Al Baqoul.

The UN’s investigation into Libya 2011 later reported the following: “The Commission also received reports of killings of members of other groups perceived to be Qadhafi loyalists, which typically took place in the immediate aftermath of the thuwar gaining control of the area.  The Zintan thuwar, who accuse the Mashashiya community of providing support to the Qadhafi forces during the latter’s siege and shelling of the Nafusa Mountains, have carried out attacks against the entire community including unlawful killings.

“For example, an 82 year-old Mashashiya man from Zawiyat al-Baqoul was shot dead at his home on 7 May 2011, reportedly by thuwar from Zintan.  Regarding another incident, the Commission was informed by two sources interviewed separately that two Mashashiya brothers were shot at point-blank range after capture by Zintan thuwar in front of another brother.  These incidents are examined in greater detail in Annex I, sect. III.F.”

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

  • UN
    • English
    • English

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Zawiyat Al Baqoul (زاوية البقول), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.989587, 12.430859. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Libyan rebel forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Libyan rebel forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • (3 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

  • UN
    • English
    • English

Incident Code

LQ041

Incident date

April 19, 2017

Location

بنغازي‎, Sabri, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.136111, 20.078889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources UAE planes carried out between 13 and 20 fresh airstrikes near the fish market and Sabri areas of Benghazi.

There were no public reports of civilian harm at the time.

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
    United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

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
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ036

Incident date

October 6, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Ganfouda, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.028594, 20.026959 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The LNA self-reported what it said was “an air strike targeting a field hospital belonging to terrorist militias in the Qanfouda area.”

Casualties among patients and health workers are not presently known.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ025a

Incident date

February 24, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.136111, 20.078889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The LNA launched “accurate” airstrikes against terrorist militias in Qawarsheh and Sabri according to their Facebook page.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

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
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC132

Incident date

April 29, 2019

Location

السواني, Al Swani, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.712224, 13.07224 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was allegedly injured, likely because of indiscriminate artillery shelling on Al Swani.

218 TV reported: “The field medicine and support center announced that its medical team had treated a child injured as a result of armed clashes in the suburbs of Tripoli on Monday.

The center also announced in its Facebook page that its evacuation team had managed to provide a safe passage for a number of families from the Khallet al-Furjan area under the impact of the clashes.”

Local reports of fighting in the area point at the GNA or LNA as the perpetrator.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Picture of the alleged victim (via 218 TV)
  • Another picture of the alleged victim (via 218 TV)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Al Swani (السواني), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.712224, 13.07224. 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

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

Incident Code

LC181

Incident date

August 14, 2019

Location

العزيزية‎, Aziziya, Jafara, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Six civilians were allegedly injured in an LNA airstrike on Aziziya.

According to the Washington Post, “at least four medical staff” were injured.

The Libya Observer wrote: “Haftar’s forces also hit, using a UAE drone, a field hospital in Aziziya in southern Tripoli, leaving behind injuries among both medical staffers and civilians.

According to the spokesman for the Health Ministry, six people had been injured – four civilians and two military personnel – in the strikes against Aziziya field hospital, which also suffered massive damage.”

Libya Alahrar TV reported “a number of wounded” as well as damage to the hospital.

The LNA confirmed conducting the airstrike but did not admit to civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of the aftermath

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Aziziya (العزيزية‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.531577, 13.020688. 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 type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • 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 (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC209

Incident date

October 3, 2019

Location

أبى ذر الغفاري, Abu Dhar Al Ghafari area, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.842957, 13.171578 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were reportedly killed by LNA shelling on the Abu Salim neighbourhood of Tripoli.

Alwasat reported: “The Abu Salim Municipal Council announced the killing of two young men, one of whom is Moroccan, after a shell fell due to indiscriminate shelling in the municipality.

The council said in a statement published on its Facebook page, that one young men from the Farhat family and the other of Moroccan nationality were driving in front of the house of  the Farhat family after the fall of a shell led to their death in the locality of Abu Zar al-Ghafari Street bumps.

The house was destroyed by the shell.”

Other sources published similar reports as well as pictures and videos of the incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Farhat
Adult male killed
Yassine
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Debris after an airstrike on Tripoli on October 3rd, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Destroyed car after an airstrike on Tripoli on October 3rd, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Destroyed car after an airstrike on Tripoli on October 3rd, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Destroyed car after an airstrike on Tripoli on October 3rd, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Destroyed car after an airstrike on Tripoli on October 3rd, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Destroyed car after an airstrike on Tripoli on October 3rd, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Damaged cars after an airstrike on Tripoli on October 3rd, 2019 (Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damage after an airstrike on Tripoli on October 3rd, 2019 (Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Destroyed car after an airstrike on Tripoli on October 3rd, 2019 (Tk Yahroug Kl shy)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Abu Dhar Al Ghafari (أبى ذر الغفاري) area, allegedly within the neighbourhood of Abu Salim (أبو سليم). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Abu Salim are: 32.842957, 13.171578.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Abu Salim (أبو سليم).

    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
  • (2 men)
  • 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 (6) [ collapse]