All Belligerents in Libya, 2011

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
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Incident Code

LC391

Incident date

May 11, 2020

Location

الشويرف, Ash Shwayrif, Jabal Al Gharbi, Libya

Geolocation

29.979613, 14.260209 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several trucks were reportedly targeted in alleged GNA or Turkish airstrikes near Ash Shwayrif, Jabal Al Gharbi, on May 11th, 2020. One civilian was injured.

Tarhouna24 wrote that Saleh Abu Ghribi, a water tanker truck driver, was injured in alleged Turkish airstrikes. “Men of Al Amamira Al Mujahida Clan” posted photos on Facebook of his severely damaged truck.

@agly1988 reported “shelling by a Turkish drone on a sheep truck loaded with sheep in the area of Ash Shwayrif.”

The Burkan Al Ghadab Operation reported that GNA spokesman Colonel Pilot Muhammad Qununu stated that the “Air Force recently targeted two trucks of fuel transportation in Ash Shwayrif, which were on their way to supply the Haftar terrorist militia in #Adwan_Ali_Tripoli.”

Tripoli 219 reported that Turkish warplanes targeted fuel tanks.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Saleh Abu Ghribi صالح بوغريبة
Adult male water tanker truck driver injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    Government of National Accord
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Known target
    Other

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • The water tank truck of Saleh Abu Ghribi as reportedly targeted in alleged Turkish or GNA airstrikes on May 11th, 2020 (via Men of Al Amamira Al Mujahida Clan on Facebook).
  • The damaged water tank truck of Saleh Abu Ghribi after alleged Turkish or GNA airstrikes on May 11th, 2020 (via Men of Al Amamira Al Mujahida Clan on Facebook).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Ash Shwayrif (الشويرف), for which the generic coordinates are: 29.979613, 14.260209. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Government of National Accord Assessment:

  • Known 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
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Known attacker
    Government of National Accord
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military
  • Known target
    Other

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC421

Incident date

June 29, 2020

Location

وادي أزكير, Wadi Azkir, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.131944, 16.271944 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A civilian was reportedly killed and another man was injured as the result of alleged LNA air or artillery strikes on Wadi Azkir, west of Sirte, on June 29th, 2020, according to local sources.

Burkan Al Ghadab Operation reported that civilian Abdel Nabi Milad Ashtaiwi Al Sabi’i was killed alongside some of his camels in bombings by LNA forces on Wadi Azkir. His cousin Omar Ammar Ashtaiwi Al Sabi’i was injured.

Mansour Azker, a relative of the killed victim, reported that his cousin died when civilians were bombed in Azkir area.

Wadi Jaref reported the valley was targeted with airstrikes. Other sourced did not specify whether the attacks were air or artillery strikes. Bani Walid wrote on Facebook that Al Sabi’i died in a missile attack on the valley and that some houses in the area had been damaged.

Only Burkan Al Ghadab blamed the LNA for the strikes, other sources did not mention the belligerent.

Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abdel Nabi Milad Ashtaiwi Al Sabi’i عبد النبي ميلاد اشتيوي السبيعي
Adult male killed
Omar Ammar Ashtaiwi Al Sabi’i عمر عمار اشتيوي السبيعي
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Abdel Nabi Milad Ashtaiwi Al Sabi’i, here posing with a weapon, was killed in alleged LNA strikes on Wadi Azkir on June 29th, 2020 (via Mansour Azker).
  • Abdel Nabi Milad Ashtaiwi Al Sabi’i, here pictured with a camel, was killed in alleged LNA strikes on Wadi Azkir on June 29th, 2020 (via Wadi Jaref).
  • Abdel Nabi Milad Ashtaiwi Al Sabi’i, here posing on a vehicle, was killed in alleged LNA strikes on Wadi Azkir on June 29th, 2020 (via Mansour Azker).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the agricultural area of Wadi Azkir (وادي أزكير), allegedly west of Sirte (سرت) city. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Wadi Azkir are: 31.131944, 16.271944.

Libyan National Army Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Libyan National Army
  • Libyan National Army position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-188

Incident date

September 30, 2011

Location

سرت, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.190547, 16.571441 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two videos refer to a strike by NATO that took place in Sirte. The videos are capturing civilians who were killed and injured, including children inside a hospital in Sirte in September 30th 2011.

It is to be noted that the sources are affiliated with the Gaddafi regime.

NATO did not report strikes around Sirte on that day.

There is currently no further information available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    NATO forces, Libyan rebel forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The video is capturing civilians who were killed and injured due to the NATO strike in a hospital in Sirte in September 30th 2011 (via TV arrai)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video showing injured children in a hospital as a result of a NATO strike in September 30th 2011 (viaSurt Son)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An injured girl by the NATO strike in Sirte in a hospital being treated in September 30th 2011 (picture from Surt Son youtube)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image of an injured girl in a hospital being treated in Sirte due to a NATO strike in September 30th 2011 (picture from Surt Son youtube)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Sirte (سرت‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.190547, 16.571441. 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

Libyan rebel forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 3
  • Civilians reported injured
    2–3
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    NATO forces, Libyan rebel forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-050

Incident date

March 27, 2011

Location

مصراتة, Misrata, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

On March 27th 2011, Gaddafi forces were reported to have indiscriminately bombed Misurata city using airstrikes or artillery shelling which led to at least three civilian deaths and also injured others, according to a single known source.

Al Jazeera, citing AFP, reported: “The same agency quoted a doctor as saying that three people were killed on Saturday, which raises to 117 the death toll since March 18 in the attack by Gaddafi forces on this city, which is the third largest city in the country and the most important city controlled by the rebels in the west.”

There is currently no further information available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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 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.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Gaddafi Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3
  • Civilians reported injured
    5–10
  • 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]

Incident Code

LC424

Incident date

February 16–17, 2021

Location

سوق النملة, Vicinity of Al Namla Market, Sabha , Libya

Geolocation

27.037854, 14.422075 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A child was reported killed and up to 30 others including children injured when a shell landed in a square in the Mansheya area of Sabha where a group of people were celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Libyan revolution on February 16th/17th. Some of those injured remain in a critical condition.

Sabha News reported that a mortar fell on the house of Mohammed Zaidan Al-Shayeb and caused injuries. Libya Observer identified the victim as the 10-year-old Abd al-Rahman al-Abed. It mentioned that others were also injured including two children who are in a critical condition.

Sabha News posted an image of the child in the hospital after a five hour surgery to remove shrapnel out of his body and fix his broken jaw. It referred to him as the brother of martyr child Abdelrahman Al-Abed.

At first the number of injured was reported as nine. The spokesman for the Sebha Security Directorate, Hussein Al-Naem, confirmed in a phone call to 218 TV that the number of injuries exceeded nine when the mortar shell fell in the Mansheya neighborhood, near Al Namla popular market. Libya Observer said 15 were injured, but later @LibyanCW said 30 people were injured in the attack.

Three of those injured were transferred to Tripoli due to the lack of specialized medical personnel in Sabha. Those with light injuries received first aid and treatment within the general care and surgery departments according to 218 TV.

The National Commission for Human Rights in Libya (NCHRL) condemned the attack. The commission said “Children are not a target, and they must be protected at all times, wherever they are. All sides must refrain from attacks on civilian infrastructure.” The attack was also condemned by the UN mission in Libya.

The source of the shell remains unknown and local sources didn’t accuse any part of the responsibility. The spokesman for the Municipal Council, Sabha Osama al-Wafi said that this attack is under investigation by the security and the military directorate.

No further information is available at the moment.

 

The incident occured during the night.

The victims were named as:

Abd al-Rahman al-Abed al-Tamami عبد الرحمن العابد التمامي
10 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–30
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (7) [ collapse]

  • Translation: On the night of February 17th, the organization monitored the killing of the child Abd al-Rahman al-Abed al-Tamami, and the wounding of thirty others, including children after a shell fell on a gathering celebrating the February Revolution anniversary in the Mansheya neighbourhood in the city of Sabha. We condemn this criminal act and we demand that the incident be investigated urgently and that those responsible should not evade justice.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Muhammad al-Abed Saleh, a 10 year old child, was killed when a mortar landed on a gathering of people celebrating Libya revolution anniversary on February 16th, 2021. (image via Sabah News).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    10-year-old Muhammad al-Abed Saleh in the hospital after a mortar landed on a gathering of people celebrating Libya revolution anniversary in Manshiya on February 16th, 2021. Muhammad was reported dead after. (image via Libya Observer).

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image shared by Sabah News of the 10-year-old child killed as a result of a mortar attack on Al Minshiya in Libya on February 16th. The images shows the shrapnel taken for the child's body.
  • Civilians standing in the location where a mortar had landed earlier in Manshiya in Sabha and led to the death of a child and the injury of up to 30 others including children. (via Sabha News).
  • Civilians standing in the location where a mortar had landed earlier in Manshiya in Sabha and led to the death of a child and the injury of up to 30 others including children. (via Sabha News).
  • Civilians standing in the location where a mortar had landed earlier in Manshiya in Sabha and led to the death of a child and the injury of up to 30 others including children. (via Sabha News).

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a square being struck in the vicinity of Al Namla Market (سوق النملة). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Al Namla Market are: 27.037854, 14.422075.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    9–30
  • 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 target
    Unknown

Sources (11) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-013

Incident date

February 19, 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 19th, 2011, up to 120 civilians were killed and 100 injured as a result of protests in Benghazi by Gaddafi security forces, who fired live rounds as a result of clashes. Amnesty and Wiki news confirmed the casualties, alongside two mentions in the UN commission report.

Wiki news reports “Thousands of people went out in a funeral procession and went to the Benghazi cemetery to bury the dead in the confrontations of the past two days, but security forces shot them with live bullets from their machine guns, leaving dozens dead and wounded”.

Other tweets reported the killings in specific neighborhoods.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 120
  • Civilians reported injured
    100
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (4) [ 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.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 120
  • Civilians reported injured
    100
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-160

Incident date

September 10, 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

Dozens of people (between 24 to 36) people were killed in Benghazi on September 10, 2011 when they were demonstrating their support of Bani Walid according to a Facebook posts from Ahmed Azzawi Mahmoud and Fedayeen Muammar Gaddafi in southern Tunisia

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 36
  • 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
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (2) [ 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.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    24 – 36
  • 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
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC437

Incident date

May 31, 2023

Location

العجيلات, Al Ajailat, Libya

Geolocation

32.756951, 12.360506 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian named Ali Balkour was killed by alleged Government of National Unity (Turkish) drone strikes on the Al Shabika area in the city of Al Ajailat on May 31, 2023.

A tweet from @aleasima_17 reported that three raids in the Al Shabika area resulted in the death of Ali Balkour inside a wine factory. Other sources published similar information on the location of the strikes and the casualty.

Multiple local sources identified a drone as being used in the attack, with @TaqrftA blaming a Turkish drone.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali Balkour
Age unknown killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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
    Government of National Accord

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Screenshot of Facebook post by Al Zawiya Al Hadath 24

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Al Ajailat (العجيلات), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.756951, 12.360506. 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
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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
    Government of National Accord

Sources (8) [ collapse]