Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

Lib2011-152

Incident date

August 26, 2011

Location

مشفى أبو سليم, Abu Salim Hospital, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.854058, 13.174511 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Between 39 and 200 civilians died in Abu Salim hospital in Tripoli on August 26, 2011 according to multiple news sources, including Al Jazeera and BBC News.

A video by Al Jazeera shows Abu Salim hospital in Tripoli full over more than 100 dead bodies in the intensive care unit after the majority of the staff fled from violence. The reporters saw 39 bodies but is estimated that up to 150 died, with some being shot according to a witness. They describe the victims in the hospital as being both rebels and Gaddafi loyalists.

According to BBC News, about 200 people died in the hospital, including men, women, and children and pro-Gaddafi forces were responsible for killing them.

Videos posted by AFP Arabic, Popular Front for the Liberation of Libya, Ali Bob and Al Aan TV show countless dead bodies in the hospital and patients, including children, being evacuated by the International Red Cross.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    39 – 200
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • 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 target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Abu Salim hospital (باب العزيزية) in Tripoli (طرابلس‎), the generic coordinates for which are: 32.854058, 13.174511. 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
    39 – 200
  • (2 children2 women2 men)
  • 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 target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC434

Incident date

May 25, 2023

Location

السيدة زينب, Al Saida Zainab, Al Zawiya, Libya

Airwars assessment

A civilian was slightly injured, in addition to several personnel affiliated with the ministry, by declared Government of National Unity (GNU)/Turkish drone or air strikes near the Sayeda Zeinab area on May 25, 2023.

A tweet from @wady_dynar quoted spokesman for the Ambulance and Emergency Service, Osama Ali, who reported that “a person was slightly injured as a result of bombing near the Sayeda Zeinab area, south of Al-Zawiya” while the bombing in the Al Maya port did not result in any injuries. @omarbosadh reported “dead and wounded” from the bombing but did not specify who or how many.

The Government of National Unity (GNU) announced that the strikes ordered by interim Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah had “successfully hit their targets” which were “hideouts used by gangs of smugglers in fuel, narcotics and humans” around Zawiya, as reported by the News Arab.

However, the parliament, which is based in the east of the country, said that the target of the strikes was the home of Zawiya lawmaker Ali Bouzribah, who is a rival of the GNU government: “Parliament followed with deep concern the drone strike on Zawiya targeting the home of the city’s representative Ali Bouzribah” and the “flagrant attack… on civilians and civilian installations” said the speaker’s office. Reuters reported that according to the parliament, several personnel affiliated with the ministry were injured.

The News Arab reported that drone strikes occurred around Al-Maya, a small port. A video posted by Al Zawiya Al Hadath 24 on Facebook shows a military vehicle at a Stabilization and Support headquarters in Abu Surra. According to Reuters, three residents of Zawiya said that they heard explosions and one also heard gunfire.

The LibyaHerald stated that despite the Defense Ministry having declared the strikes, many believe that the strikes were carried out by Turkish drones, with @libyapress2010 specifically referring to Turkish Bayraktar drones. Reuters pointed out that the GNU government has no known air power of its own.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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
    GNA/Turkish Military

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Al Zawiya Al Hadath
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Al Zawiya Al Hadath 24
  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Al Zawiya Al Anqaa

GNA/Turkish Military Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    GNA/Turkish Military
  • GNA/Turkish Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

GNA/Turkish Military
Official source

#Statement of the Ministry of Defense regarding air strikes in the West Coast region
In the name of God, the most gracious, the most merciful
The Ministry of Defense reports that our national aviation carried out accurate and targeted air strikes this morning against the hideouts of fuel smuggling gangs, drug trafficking and human trafficking in the West Coast region, and by the grace of God, they were successful strikes that achieved their desired goals.
The Ministry of Defense, while carrying out its national mission under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister, confirms the implementation of the instructions and the military plan set in order to purify the areas of the West Coast and the rest of Libya from the dens of crime and gang actions, and that it will never delay in carrying out its national duty.
The Ministry of Defense also calls on all citizens to fully cooperate with the military forces and the General Staff in military operations, which will not stop until all of its objectives are achieved.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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
    GNA/Turkish Military

Sources (16) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC094

Incident date

September 22, 2018

Location

شرفة الملاحة, Shurfat Al Malaha, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.881854, 13.256303 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported injured due to indiscriminate artillery shelling near the Airport road in Tripoli.

Libya Akhbar wrote: “The spokesman for the ambulance and emergency agency, Osama Ali, reported the injury of a civilian as a result of random shelling on the market Friday morning.

Ali said in a statement on Saturday, that nearly five shells fell on the Hey Shurfa Al Milaha neighbourhood at the entrance to the market Friday, which led to material damage.”

Riyadh Burshan and Libya Alahrar published carbon copies of the report.

Local reports point at the 7th Brigade or GNA-affiliated militias as the belligerent.

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, 7th Brigade

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Shurfat Al Malaha (شرفة الملاحة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.881854, 13.256303. 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 Shurfat Al Malaha (شرفة الملاحة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Government of National Accord Assessment:

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

7th Brigade Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    7th Brigade
  • 7th Brigade 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, 7th Brigade

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ056

Incident date

August 21, 2017

Location

الحدود الليبية المصرية, Libyan-Egyptian border, Butnan, Libya

Geolocation

29.3223255, 24.7302246 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Egyptian warplanes targeted nine SUVs that were claimed to be carrying weapons and explosives at the Libyan border.

On its own Facebook page, the Egyptian military noted that “Today 21 August 2017 … the Egyptian Air Force destroyed 9 cars with arms, ammunition and explosives on the western border with Libya.”

There are no known public reports of civilian harm.

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
    Egyptian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Egyptian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Egyptian Military
  • Egyptian 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
    Egyptian Military

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC037

Incident date

August 2, 2016

Location

السيدة خديجة, Sayeda Khadija, Derna, Libya

Geolocation

32.78583, 22.5725 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were injured when the LNA bombed an ammunition depot in Derna, according to local sources.

Ean Libya reported that two civilians were wounded – and two houses destroyed – in airstrikes in Derna.

Almmlka reported that the LNA targeted weapons caches and that the attack also injured civilians. It named the injured as “Al-Qarduh and the child of Mohammed al-Mansouri.”

Yon news also reported that the bombing hit an ammunition depot that held other weapons, possibly leading to secondary explosions.

The outlet News 24 placed the incident in the Sayeda neighbourhood of Derna.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Najib Nasser Al-Qarduh
24 years old male Via news 24 injured
Mohammed Muftah al-Mansouri
6 years old male Via news 24 injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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]

  • Translation: An official in Shura Derna council media Mohammed al-Mansouri: 7 civilians were inured followed Al Karma airstrike on Khadija neighbourhood (Source: Libya Al Ahrar TV)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Sayeda Khadija (السيدة خديجة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.78583, 22.5725. 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 Sayeda Khadija (السيدة خديجة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    2
  • 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

LC011

Incident date

January 3, 2015

Location

مصراتة: مصراتة ميناء, Misurata Port, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.3610975, 15.2204999 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to various sources, LNA jets struck different positions in Misurata’s port, resulting in the injury of two civilians – reportedly employees at the port.

Al Jazeera reported: The forces of the retired Libyan brigade General, Khalifa Haftar, announced responsibility for air strikes on the western port of Misurata on Saturday claiming that it was used for ‘terrorist purposes. We have repeated more than once that if the port of Misurata becomes a danger, we will shell it, said the spokesman of the Hafar forces. On Saturday, the air force struck the port because of its use of transporting weapons, ammunition and terrorist elements.

Reuters, Al Wasat and Al Nabaa reported that two port employees were injured, while other sources mentioned no civilian casualties or injuries but “heavy losses” for the Libya Dawn militia.

The incident occured at approximately 11:00 am local time.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A TV report on airstrikes targeted Misurata city - Translation: Two airstrikes targeted Misrata city, one in the morning and one an hour ago targeted the port which resulted in injured two workers (Source: Al Nabaa TV)
  • Translation: LNA air forces targeted a warehouse of weapons in Emara Misrata at the airport without any casualties occurred (source: Noman Benotman)
  • Another picture of the warehouse (via Noman Benotman)

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention an airstrike targeting Misurata Port (ميناء مصراتة). After investigating visual evidence from sources, we narrowed down this location to the southwestern edge of a warehouse on a pier at Misurata Port, the exact coordinates for which are: 32.3610975, 15.2204999.

  • Photo from scene of airstrike

    Imagery:
    Witness

  • Photo from scene of airstrike. The features marked by tags F and G intersect behind the silver car.

    Imagery:
    Witness

  • Satellite imagery showing distribution of features tagged in photos from scene of airstrike.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    2
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-045

Incident date

March 22, 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

Between six and eight civilians were reported injured after a US aircraft crashed near Benghazi. It is unclear whether they were wounded by gunfire, or a subsequent airstrike in an attempt to save the crew.

The Telegraph wrote: “US officials insisted that rescue crews did not fire their weapons when retrieving the pilot, contesting media reports that a squad of Marines came in with ‘all guns blazing’ and wounding several civilians.

The pilot and his weapons officer bailed out of their F-15E Strike Eagle fighter over Benghazi when it became crippled by a mechanical fault during a bombing raid on Monday night. The two crewmen became split up when they parachuted to the ground.

“Military commanders decided to dispatch four US Marine Harriers from the USS Kearsarge, off the Libyan coast, when they spotted armoured vehicles approaching the location where the pilot landed. The Harrier pilots dropped two 500lb bombs on the vehicles.”

The Telegraph added: “The apparent contradiction in the accounts suggested that the Libyan villagers may have been injured not by small arms gunfire but shrapnel from the two bombs. It was reported on Tuesday night that eight people were injured in the incident, which is now subject to an investigation by the USAAF.”

The Daily Mail said six people were injured by gunfire in the incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–8
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Image of the dropped plane (via Daily Mail)
  • Another image of the dropped plane (via Daily Mail)
  • Another image of the dropped plane (via Daily Mail)

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.

NATO forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    6–8
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC161

Incident date

July 7, 2019

Location

طرابلس‎: مطار معيتيقة, Mitiga International Airport, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.895041, 13.2785 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians were reported injured in an LNA artillery strike on Tripoli Mitiga International Airport.

February TV reported: “Three engineers from Afriqiyah Airlines were injured as a result of shells falling on the international airport.”

Libya Observer published a similar account: “Three of the maintenance engineers were injured and one of the Afriqiyah Airlines planes was hit by the fall of shells fired by Haftar forces on the Tripoli International Airport.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Image of the damaged civilian plane

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Mitiga International Airport (مطار معيتيقة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.895041, 13.2785. 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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]