Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

Incident Code

LC372

Incident date

April 28, 2020

Location

الغضوية , قصر ابو هادي‎ , Al Ghudwiyah, Ra’s At Tabal , Jabal al Gharbi, Libya

Geolocation

31.299779, 13.467397 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to five civilians were killed and two others injured in an alleged GNA or Turkish drone attack on a civilian truck carrying boxes of bees in the Al-Ghudwiyah area near the entrance of Ra’s at Tabal, Nasmah, Libya on April 28th, 2020. The local sources also said the two injured civilians are in critical conditions in the hospital.

Tk Yahrouq Kl shy posted that “A drone bombed a truck carrying boxes of bees in Nasmah area, leading to the death of four civilians.”

Tarhouna 24 identified the four victims as Hafez Omar Al-Sudani, Mohamed Ambeya Al-Sudani, Issam Muhammad Muhammad al-Rikabi and Mustafa Saad.

218TV raised the death toll to five saying that five civilians were killed in the attack including migrant workers, and described one of the victims Hafez Omar Al-Sudani as “director of the Nasmah municipality’s human resources department.”

Burkan Al Ghadab reported from the Libyan Army Spokesman that “The Libyan air force carried out two combat strikes earlier, targeting two trucks transporting logistical equipment and ammunition in the Nasmah area, which was on its way to supply the Haftar terrorist militia south of the capital Tripoli.”

Libya Review said the attack was done by Turkish forces on a food truck near Bani Walid.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (4 men)
  • 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 attackers
    Government of National Accord, Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    LNA

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian among five killed in alleged GNA/Turkey drone attack on Nessma in Libya on April 29th, 2020 (via @LibyaReview)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian among five killed in alleged GNA/Turkey drone attack on Nessma in Libya on April 29th, 2020 (via @LibyaReview)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A civilian among five reported killed in alleged GNA/Turkey drone attack on Nessma in Libya on April 29th, 2020 (via @LibyaReview)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of an alleged Turkish/GNA drone attack on a civilian truck in Nassma area, Libya on April 28th, 2020 (via Tk Yahrouq Kl shy)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Aftermath of an alleged Turkish/GNA drone attack on a civilian truck in Nassma area, Libya on April 28th, 2020 (via Tk Yahrouq Kl shy)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Ghudwiyah (الغضوية) area of Ra’s At Tabal  (راس الطبل) village. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Ra’s At Tabal are: 31.299779, 13.467397.

Government of National Accord Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Government of National Accord
  • Government of National Accord position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4 – 5
  • (4 men)
  • 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 attackers
    Government of National Accord, Turkish Military
  • Suspected target
    LNA

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC400

Incident date

May 16, 2020

Location

ميدان الاربعة شوارع, 4 Streets Square, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.839444, 13.155556 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was allegedly injured by shelling on the Hadaba area of Tripoli.

Tk Yahrouq Kl shy wrote: “A shell landed in the 4 streets Al Haddad in the Hadaba area, and a civilian was wounded by shrapnel.”

There is currently no further information available.

Reports of fighting in the area point at GNA or LNA as the culprit.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of 4 Streets Square (ميدان الاربعة شوارع), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.839444, 13.155556. 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
    Single source claim
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-035

Incident date

March 17, 2011

Location

كرزاز, Kerzaz, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.300918, 15.088863 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians from the same family were reportedly killed by Gaddafi forces tank shelling in the Kerzaz neighbourhood of Misurata.

An Amnesty International investigation found: “Two other families were shot at in similar circumstances as they were fleeing Kerzaz in their vehicles on 17 March. In both cases, family members were killed and injured. Tahar Abu Shibah, a 46-year-old father of nine, and his oldest daughter Mona, aged 21, were killed when their car came under fire. One of his relatives, who was in another car, told Amnesty International:

“We left in three cars, at about 10pm, I was driving the first car, and Tahar was behind. He was driving and Mona was sitting beside him and at the back were Tahar’s wife, his son, his nephew and two other children from the family. At a certain point we saw a tank in front of us, quite close. ‘They started to shoot from the tank and I turned back and managed to get away, but Tahar and Mona were hit several times. Tahar was killed on the spot; we got Mona to hospital but she died when we got there.'”

The incident occured at approximately 10:00 pm local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

46 years old male killed
21 years old female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Kerzaz (كرزاز) in the district of Misurata (مصراتة). The generic coordinates for this neighbourhood are: 32.300918, 15.088863. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Kerzaz (كرزاز) in the district of Misurata (مصراتة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 woman1 man)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-163

Incident date

September 15, 2011

Location

الزعفران , Al Za’fran, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.206893, 16.550209 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On the September 15th 2011, the NATO bombed a house in Al Zafaran neighbourhood in Sirte which resulted in the death of a family consisting of four people.

This information was according to a post by Nour Al Din Nasser Al Zanki on Facebook who named the victims.

NATO on that reported striking “In the vicinity of Sirte: 1 Military Storage Facility, 2 Armed Vehicles, 1 Tank, 4 Multiple Rocket Launchers, 8 Air Missile Systems” near Sirte.

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Al Za’fran neighbourhood (الزعفران), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.206893, 16.550209. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Al Za’fran neighbourhood (الزعفران).

    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 Military Storage Facility, 2 Armed Vehicles, 1 Tank, 4 Multiple Rocket Launchers, 8 Air Missile Systems.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 child1 woman2 men)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-182

Incident date

September 25, 2011

Location

برج الساعة المجاور للحي رقم 3, Clock tower adjacent Neighbourhood No. 3, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.201721, 16.592180 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to various sources mostly affiliated with the Gaddafi regime, family members residing in neighbourhood number 3 in front of Al Sa’a (clock) tower, Sirte, were injured and some killed due to an attack launched by NATO in September 25th 2011.

It is unclear due to contradicting sources, whether Sarah Ahmed Abd al-Mawli Yunus and Muhammad Ahmed Abdel-Mawali Younes were killed or severely injured.

NATO on that day reported hitting: “1 command and control node, 2 ammunition/vehicle storage facility, 1 radar facility, 1 multiple rocket launcher, 1 military support vehicle, 1 artillery piece, 1 ammunition storage facility.” in the vicinity of Sirte.

There is no further information currently available.

The incident occured at 09:00:00 local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (6)

35 years old years old female 'she is the mother of the children and the wife of Ahmid Abdel Mawla Younes' injured
6 years old years old male Unclear as well if he was killed or injured (contradicting information) injured
Age unknown female It is unclear if she was killed or severely injured in her legs injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (2–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (16) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    This video capturing civilians including children who were injured by NATO's strike on a house in Sirte, in September 25th 2011. In the video, the nurse said that the strike took place at 9am. (via
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The video showing young children who are severely injured by the NATO's attack on their houses in Sirte. The nurse mentioned that it was the first day in the academic year. (via Surt son)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The video capturing children who are severely injured, being treated in a hospital after NATO's attack in Sirte, in September 25th 2011. The date was mentioned by the nurse in the video. (via Surt son)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The video showing several children who are suffering from severe injures due to NATO's attack in Sirte being treated at a hospital in September 25th 2011 (via Libya voice)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Same video that was posted by Surt son.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A different source for the same video that was posted by Surt son.
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    This video is showing a woman -unknown name- while she died at the hospital due to her injures from NATO attacks in September 25th 2011 (via Libya’s history)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    It shows a boy who is severely injured in his lower jaw due to NATO's attack to his house in neighbourhood number 3 in front of Al Sa'a (clock) tower in Sirte, on September 25th 2011. (Sirte Breaking)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    It shows a boy who is severely injured in his lower jaw due to NATO's attack to his neighbourhood number 3 in front of Al Sa'a (clock) tower in Sirte, on September 25th 2011. (Sirte Breaking)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An images shows the injury that the girl endured due to NATO attack to her neighbourhood in Sirte, on September 25th 2011 (via Sirte breaking)
  • The girl whose leg was injured and might develop as she grows up to disability due to NATO's attack in Sirte, on September 25th 2011. (via Sirte breaking)
  • Another image of the injury as a result of NATO's attack on neighbourhood number 3 in front of Al Sa' a(clock) tower, Sirte, on September 25th 2011 (via Sirte breaking)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another image showing the severity of the injury that was a result of NATO's attack on neighbourhood number 3 in front of Al Sa' a(clock) tower, Sirte, on September 25th 2011 (via Hamid Abo Bakkar)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A scene from a meeting with the family who was injured due to NATO's attack on neighbourhood number 3 in front of Al Sa' a(clock) tower, Sirte, on September 25th 2011 (via Hamid Abo Bakkar)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another image focused on the girl's injury that took place as a result of NATO's attack on neighbourhood number 3 in front of Al Sa' a(clock) tower, Sirte, on September 25th 2011 (via Hamid Abo Bakkar)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image of the injures that the children endured due to NATO's attack on neighbourhood number 3 in front of Al Sa' a(clock) tower, Sirte, on September 25th 2011 (via Hamid Abo Bakkar)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a clock tower in the third neighbourhood (الحي رقم 3) of Sirte (سرت‎). Research shows the presence of a clock tower adjacent to the neighbourhood mentioned but we are unable to confirm if this is the clock tower referred to by the sources. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The coordinates for the clock tower are: 31.201721, 16.592180.

  • Reports of the incident mention a clock tower in the third neighbourhood (الحي رقم 3) of Sirte (سرت‎). Research shows the presence of a clock tower adjacent to the neighbourhood mentioned but we are unable to confirm if this is the clock tower referred to by the sources.

    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, 2 ammunition/vehicle storage facility, 1 radar facility, 1 multiple rocket launcher, 1 military support vehicle, 1 artillery piece, 1 ammunition storage facility.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 5
  • (2–4 children)
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-107

Incident date

June 9, 2011

Location

مصراتة, Misurata port, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.365000, 15.218611 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians, including a child, were allegedly killed by Gaddafi forces shelling of Misurata.

Shahab Al Nahda said: “Mortar shelling from the western side of the port resulted in the death of 2 civilians, including a child.”

There is currently no further known public information regarding this event.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (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
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Other, Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the port in Misrata (مصراتة) being struck, for which the generic coordinates are: 32.365000, 15.218611. Due to limited 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
    2
  • (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
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Other, Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-002

Incident date

February 15, 2011

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

On February 16th, between 6:30 and 7:45 PM local time, multiple sources reported one death and multiple injuries in Benghazi after the breakup by security forces of a sit-in.

The reported death was of Khaled al-Naji ‘Abderrazeq Khanfar, a 22 year old student who was shot by Gaddafi security forces.

Amnesty quotes the father of Khaled, “We had closed the shop and gone home and I told him not to go out but he wanted to go to check as our shop is right next to the ISA building where there was the demonstration. He went out at about 7.30pm to 8pm and less than an hour later we received a call that he had been killed. He was shot in the chest.”

Reuters, DW Arabic, and various Twitter reports confirmed additional injuries.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–38
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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
    Other

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Benghazi (بنغازي‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.112582, 20.082151. 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
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    14–38
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • 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
    Other

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-144

Incident date

August 21, 2011

Location

غرغور, Gharghour, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

At least 17 people were killed in the Gargur district in Tripoli by pro-Gaddafi forces according to BBC News.

Human Rights Watch says that pro-Gaddafi forces were holding the dead in a building belonging to the Libyan Internal Security Forces and that they were physically tortured before they were killed. According to a doctor, half of the dead were shot in the back of the head, making it hard to identify their faces.

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
    17
  • (17 other protected persons)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the area of Gharghour (غرغور) in Tripoli (طرابلس‎), 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.

  • Reports of the incident mention the area of Gharghour (غرغور) in Tripoli (طرابلس‎).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    17
  • (17 other protected persons)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]