All Belligerents in Libya, 2011

Mourners in Majer, Libya in 2011 following a NATO airstrike which killed at least 34 civilians, according to multiple reports. Image courtesy of Sidney Kwiram/ Human Rights Watch

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

Incident Code

LC275

Incident date

January 7, 2020

Location

سجن الرويني, Al Ruwaini Prison, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.803608, 13.293285 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two children were allegedly killed by LNA shelling on Ain Zara.

Libya Alahrar TV reported: “Medical source to Al Ahrar: the death of two children from one family following the fall of a mortar shell fired by the gunmen of Haftar in Ain Zara.”

The same source later published a picture of the victims saying their father was  injured.

Other sources published similar reports. Tk Yahrouq Kl shy said the shell landed on the family’s house.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

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

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Video showing the alleged victims from LNA shelling on Ain Zara on January 7th, 2020
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of an alleged victim from LNA shelling on Ain Zara on January 7th, 2020 (via Libya Observer)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another picture of an alleged victim from LNA shelling on Ain Zara on January 7th, 2020 (via Libya Observer)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another picture of the alleged victims from LNA shelling on Ain Zara on January 7th, 2020 (via Libya Alahrar TV)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Al Ruwaini Prison (سجن الرويني) within Ain Zara (عين زارة) for which the generic coordinates are: 32.803608, 13.293285. 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
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 children)
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC306

Incident date

February 28, 2020

Location

قدح, Gadah, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.854211, 13.138275 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was reportedly injured by LNA shelling on the Gadah area of Tripoli.

Tk Yahroug Kl shy said: “These are pictures showing a shell landing in the Gadah area on the home of the Al-Kilani Al-Mahmoudi family and the slight injury of a child.”

Libya Alahrar TV wrote there was intense LNA shelling in the area without mentioning civilian harm.

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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (8) [ collapse]

  • Building supposedly damaged by LNA shelling on Gadah on February 28th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Building supposedly damaged by LNA shelling on Gadah on February 28th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Building supposedly damaged by LNA shelling on Gadah on February 28th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Building supposedly damaged by LNA shelling on Gadah on February 28th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Building supposedly damaged by LNA shelling on Gadah on February 28th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Building supposedly damaged by LNA shelling on Gadah on February 28th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Car supposedly damaged by LNA shelling on Gadah on February 28th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Building supposedly damaged by LNA shelling on Gadah on February 28th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Gadah (قدح), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.854211, 13.138275. 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 Gadah (قدح).

    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
    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 (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC338

Incident date

April 7, 2020

Location

مستشفى الخضراء, Khadra Hospital, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.854416, 13.192035 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was allegedly injured by LNA shelling on the Khadra Hospital in Tripoli.

Hona Souq Al-Khmies wrote: “Al-Khadra Hospital has been exposed to indiscriminate rockets this afternoon on the Women’s and Obstetric Operations Department.

The doctor continues operations despite the difficult circumstance, fear and terror, a victim was exposed to shrapnel wounds.”

Other sources did not report civilian harm. Libya Ambulance Services said: “Part of the evacuation operations carried out by the rescue and emergency teams of patients from Al Hadaba Al Khadra’ General Hospital, which was subjected to shelling with random shells today, where more than 30 patients were evacuated.”

The incident occured in the afternoon.

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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (6) [ collapse]

  • Window allegedly damaged by LNA shelling on the Khadra Hospital on April 7th, 2020 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • Window allegedly damaged by LNA shelling on the Khadra Hospital on April 7th, 2020 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • Window allegedly damaged by LNA shelling on the Khadra Hospital on April 7th, 2020 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • Blood stain on a bed after alleged LNA shelling on the Khadra Hospital on April 7th, 2020 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Shrapnel wound allegedly casued by LNA shelling on the Khadra Hospital on April 7th, 2020 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Shrapnel wound allegedly casued by LNA shelling on the Khadra Hospital on April 7th, 2020 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Al Khadra Hospital (مستشفى الخضراء) for which the generic coordinates are: 32.854416, 13.192035. 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
    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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC368

Incident date

April 24, 2020

Location

ترهونة, Tarhuna, Murqub, Libya

Geolocation

32.42818, 13.647327 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was killed and other civilians injured by alleged GNA shelling on Tarhuna.

Tk Yahroug Kl shy said: “Several Grad rockets hit the city of Tarhuna, causing civilian casualties.”

Tarhuna 24 posted: “A cowardly bombardment with Grad rockets on the city of Tarhuna, killing one child and wounding others.”

The Tarhuna Echo reported: “Shelling with Grad rockets targeted by terrorist terrorist militias in the city of Tarhuna, wounding one person and killing a child.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 attacker
    Government of National Accord

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of alleged GNA shelling on Tarhuna on April 24th, 2020 (via Tarhuna 24)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of alleged GNA shelling on Tarhuna on April 24th, 2020 (via Tarhuna 24)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Victim of alleged GNA shelling on Tarhuna on April 24th, 2020 (via Tarhuna 24)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tarhuna (السواني), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.42818, 13.647327. 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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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 attacker
    Government of National Accord

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC034a

Incident date

June 26, 2016

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

One civilian was allegedly killed by an airstrike on Sirte.

Sirte El Azz posted: “The death of Haj Mohammed Hussein Faraj al Jair Kadhafi as a result of aerial bombardment, where he was in his farm next to camels.”

Other sources published similar accounts.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (7) [ 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.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-040

Incident date

March 19, 2011

Location

الدولار, Dollar, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.110714, 20.124550 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians, one of them a child, were allegedly killed by Gaddafi forces artillery shelling on the Hay Dollar neighbourhood of Benghazi.

An Amnesty International field investigation found: “The renewed attacks were even more vicious as the rockets used were packed with small metal balls intended to maximize injury and damage. Grad rockets packed with ball bearings were also fired into Benghazi’s south-western neighbourhood of Hay Dollar in the morning of 19 March, when al-Gaddafi forces had tried to re-enter Benghazi hours before the first NATO airstrikes.

“Among those killed by cluster sub-munitions was 12-year-old Hsein Mohammed Zoubi, who was hit in the afternoon of 11 April while he was playing in the garden of the place where he and his family were sheltering. His father told Amnesty International: “Hsein was playing with other children when the explosions happened and he was killed. One of the other children was injured and a young Algerian man who was also staying here, Wardi Ibn al-Saad, was injured and died on the way to hospital.”‘

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Hsein Mohammed Zoubi
12 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • 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.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Dollar (الدولار) in the city of Benghazi (بنغازي), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.110714, 20.124550. 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 Dollar (الدولار) in the city of Benghazi (بنغازي).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • 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.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-211

Incident date

March 18–November 1, 2011

Location

منطقة العمارات, Al Amarat, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

One child was allegedly killed and its mother injured by a NATO airstrike on Sirte.

Nour Al Din Al Zaki said: “Siham Mohammed al-Qantari, 24 years. She was hit by shrapnel in the back which caused paralysis and is now under treatment and her child die who was in her lap next to her house in the Al Amarat area.”

There is currently no additional information available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

24 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Amarat (منطقة العمارات) allegedly within the city of Sirte (سرت‎). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Sirte are: 31.20892, 16.58866.

NATO forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-086

Incident date

May 3, 2011

Location

الرويسات, Al Ruwaisat, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.366517, 15.110012 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On May 3rd, 2011, Gaddafi forces reportedly bombed Misurata after NATO planes had left the area.

Al Jazeera said: “Fighting broke out between the rebels and the Gaddafi Brigades in the southern and eastern suburbs of Misrata, and the rebels said they repelled an attack by tanks belonging to the brigades.

Sources reported that 55 civilians were killed and wounded in battles since last night, and the sporadic shelling of the Ruwaisat area continued, in which warehouses of goods were burned.”

Another local source, Resistance Misurata, suggested that no civilians may in fact have been killed: “Thankfully, no news has been received so far about cases of wounded or martyrs among civilians as a result of the intermittent shelling of the terrorist forces on the city.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    55
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Al Ruwaisat (الرويسات) in the city of Misurata (مصراتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.366517, 15.110012. 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
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    55
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]