Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

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

Incident Code

LC247

Incident date

November 18, 2019

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

Up to 13 civilians were reportedly injured in an LNA or foreign airstrike on Misurata.

According to Al Wasat twelve people were injured.

The Libya Observer reported: “13 people wounded in intense airstrikes believed to be conducted by foreign warplanes allied to warlord Haftar on locations inside residential areas in Misrata Monday night.”

Al Wasat said in addition: “The Presidential Council of the Government of National Accord on Tuesday condemned in the strongest terms the terrorist aerial bombardment that targeted locations in the capital Tripoli and Misurata city, pointing out that the airstrikes were carried out by ‘foreign aviation’.”

Akhbar Libya 24 wrote: “Misurata Medical Center reported on Tuesday that it received 13 wounded civilians, including a woman as a result of the bombing of ammunition stores and armored vehicles in a raid carried out by the Air Force.

The air force launched night raids targeting 19 new armored vehicles that arrived in Misrata on Monday from Turkey, after being stored in an industrial area in the city center for use in the ground of military operations.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–13
  • 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
    Libyan National Army, Unknown

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • Video of the incident
  • Impact of the airstrike on Misurata on November 18th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Building damaged by the airstrike on Misurata on November 18th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Another picture of the building damaged by the airstrike on Misurata on November 18th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Another picture of the building damaged by the airstrike on Misurata on November 18th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Another picture of the building damaged by the airstrike on Misurata on November 18th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • A victim being carried into an ambulance after an airstrike on Misurata on November 18th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Ambulance arriving after an airstrike on Misurata on November 18th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • A victim being carried into the hospital after an airstrike on Misurata on November 18th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • A victim being carried into the hospital after an airstrike on Misurata on November 18th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • A victim being bandaged after an airstrike on Misurata on November 18th, 2019 (via Burkan Al Ghadab)
  • Night-time strike on Misurata on November 18th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the area of Al Ruwaisat (الرويسات), 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.

  • Reports of the incident mention the area of Al Ruwaisat (الرويسات).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Libyan National Army Assessment:

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

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–13
  • 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
    Libyan National Army, Unknown

Sources (18) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC272a

Incident date

January 3, 2020

Location

عرادة, Arada, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.871846, 13.245006 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family home was reportedly hit by indiscriminate shelling in the Arada neigbourhood of Tripoli, resulting in possible civilian harm.

Tk Yahroug Kl shy said: “One of the shells hit the house of the Kariyma family in Arada, and there were reports of injuries.”

There is currently no further information available.

Local reports of clashes point at the GNA or LNA  forces as the origin of the shelling.

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
    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
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Arada (عرادة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.871846, 13.245006. 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 Arada (عرادة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    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
    Government of National Accord, Libyan National Army

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC307

Incident date

February 29, 2020

Location

طريق السكة, Al Seka Road, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.878485, 13.194647 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Street level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Seven people from one family were allegedly injured by LNA shelling on Ain Zara.

Libya Alahrar TV said: “The Field Medicine and Support Center in Tripoli confirmed that 7 people from one family were injured after a shell fired by Haftar militia landed on their house in the Ain Zara area, Al-Sekka road.

The center added, through its official page, that among the wounded was a 3-year-old girl, all of whom were taken to the Qaddor clinic, near the area, to receive the necessary treatment.”

Other sources published similar reports.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (7)

29 years old female injured
36 years old female injured
34 years old male injured
62 years old female injured
63 years old female injured
3 years old female injured
1 years old male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    7
  • 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]

  • Video of shelling on Ain Zara
  • Child allegedly injured by LNA shelling on Ain Zara on February 29th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Child allegedly injured by LNA shelling on Ain Zara on February 29th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Victim allegedly injured by LNA shelling on Ain Zara on February 29th, 2020 (via FMSC)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention Al Seka Road (طريق السكة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.878485, 13.194647. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention Al Seka Road (طريق السكة).

    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
    7
  • 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

LC339

Incident date

April 9, 2020

Location

غوط الرمان, Goot Al Roman, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.829801, 13.489280 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to four civilians were allegedly killed and up to eight more injured by LNA shelling on Tajoura.

Libya Alahrar TV said six people were injured.

The Libya Observer tweeted: “A foreign worker from Ghana was killed and six others wounded in a rocket attack by warlord Khalifa Haftar’s armed groups on Ghot Alroman area in Tajoura, east Tripoli on Thursday.”

The GNA-led Burkan Al Ghadab operation said: “A Ghanaian worker was killed and 6 others were injured as a result of the bombing of the Haftar terrorist militia in Ghout Al-Rumman, Tajura, this afternoon.

The six injured from Niger and Ghana, all injured by shrapnel in different parts of the body

One worker’s leg was amputated and another hand was broken.

Two Libyans were injured in the shelling, and their car was damaged as a result of the shelling.”

The Field Medicine and Support Center provided the highest casualty toll with four killed and eight wounded.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

27 years old male Libyan injured
Adult male Libyan injured
Adult male Ghanaian injured
Adult male Ghanaian injured
Adult male Ghanaian injured
Adult male Senegalese injured
Adult male Senegalese injured
Adult Senegalese injured
Adult male Ghanaian killed
Adult male Tunisian killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1 – 4
  • (1–2 men)
  • 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
    Libyan National Army
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • Smoke rising after alleged LNA shelling on Tajoura on April 9th, 2020 (via Hona Souq Al-Khmies)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Alleged victim of LNA shelling on Tajoura on April 9th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Alleged victims of LNA shelling on Tajoura on April 9th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Alleged victim of LNA shelling on Tajoura on April 9th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Alleged victim of LNA shelling on Tajoura on April 9th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Alleged victim of LNA shelling on Tajoura on April 9th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Alleged victim of LNA shelling on Tajoura on April 9th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Alleged victim of LNA shelling on Tajoura on April 9th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Alleged victim of LNA shelling on Tajoura on April 9th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Alleged victim of LNA shelling on Tajoura on April 9th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Alleged victim of LNA shelling on Tajoura on April 9th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Alleged victim of LNA shelling on Tajoura on April 9th, 2020 (via FMSC)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Goot Al Roman(غوط الرمان), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.829801, 13.489280. 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
    1 – 4
  • (1–2 men)
  • 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
    Libyan National Army
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC369

Incident date

April 24, 2020

Location

حوازة ليم, Orange farm, Libya

Airwars assessment

One civilian was allegedly killed and another one injured by shelling on an orange farm.

Tk Yahroug Kl shy said: “A shell landed on an orange farm and news of the death of one of the workers and the injury of another worker. There is no ambulance at this moment.”

There is currently no further information available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

No geolocaiton information available.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC397

Incident date

May 15, 2020

Location

طرابلس‎: الفرناج, Tripoli: Al Fornaj, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.850793, 13.239605 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were allegedly injured by indiscrimiante shelling on the Fornaj neighbourhood of Tripoli.

Hona Souq Al-Khmies reported: “Injury of 2 displaced people, one of whom was seriously injured, and he is now under operations.”

Tk Yahroug Kl shy said that several shells landed in the area, including on the Savings and Real Estate Investment Bank building. It did not mention civilian harm.

Local reports of shelling point at GNA or LNA as the culprit.

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
    2
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (15) [ collapse]

  • Road damaged by indiscriminate shelling on Tripoli on May 15th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Road damaged by indiscriminate shelling on Tripoli on May 15th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Building damaged by indiscriminate shelling on Tripoli on May 15th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Building damaged by indiscriminate shelling on Tripoli on May 15th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Building damaged by indiscriminate shelling on Tripoli on May 15th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Building damaged by indiscriminate shelling on Tripoli on May 15th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Shrapnel from indiscriminate shelling on Tripoli on May 15th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Building damaged by indiscriminate shelling on Tripoli on May 15th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Road damaged by indiscriminate shelling on Tripoli on May 15th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Building damaged by indiscriminate shelling on Tripoli on May 15th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Building damaged by indiscriminate shelling on Tripoli on May 15th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Shrapnel from indiscriminate shelling on Tripoli on May 15th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Car damaged by indiscriminate shelling on Tripoli on May 15th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Building damaged by indiscriminate shelling on Tripoli on May 15th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Impact of indiscriminate shelling on Tripoli on May 15th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Al Fornaj (الفرناج) area of Tripoli (طرابلس‎). The coordinates for Al Fornaj are: 32.850793, 13.239605. 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
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    2
  • 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
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-032

Incident date

March 13, 2011

Location

الزاوية‎, Zawiya, Libya

Geolocation

32.759709, 12.732495 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A family of 15 was reportedly killed by Gaddafi forces bombing of Zawiya.

Jeanie Abdullah tweeted: “The killing of an entire Palestinian family from the Al-Derwai family – the number of family members is 15 – in the bombing of their homes in the Libyan city of Zawiya.”

Other users on Twitter published similar reports.

Pal Today published a news piece titled ‘An entire Palestinian family was killed in the bombing of their home in Libya’: “For about a week, the 48-year-old citizen Jamila Khaldi, who lives in Rafah governorate, has been living in a state of extreme anxiety and insomnia, after communication ceased with her sister, Al-Hajjah, ‘Rasmi’, who is 67 years old, and resides in the city of Zawiya, west of Tripoli, the capital of Libya, with her husband, Muhammad al-Derawi and his family members.

After seeing on TV the scenes of destruction in the city of Zawiya as a result of the clashes between the rebels and Colonel Gaddafi’s forces, the citizen ‘Khalidi’ burst into tears as she pleaded with God to protect her sister, her husband and members of his family, and called on the Palestinian embassy in Libya to search for her sister, her husband, and members of his family and inform them about their fate which has become unknown.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

67 years old female Unclear whether dead or no killed
Adult male Unclear whether dead or no killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • 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.

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Zawiya (الزاوية‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.759709, 12.732495. 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
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15
  • 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.

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-190

Incident date

October 1, 2011

Location

الحي رقم 3, Neighbourhood No. 3, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.204873, 16.600943 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A brother and a sister have allegedly been injured due to an attack by the NATO in neighbourhood number 3 in Sirte.

NATO on that day reported hitting in the vicinity of Sirte: “1 command and control node, 1 infantry and anti-aircraft artillery staging area, 2 armed vehicles, 4 armoured infantry vehicles, 1 tank.”

There is no further information currently available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

4 years old female was seriously injured in the nose and scattered shrapnel in the body injured
Child male was seriously injured in the nose and scattered shrapnel in the body injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the third neighbourhood (الحي رقم 3) of Sirte (سرت‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.204873, 16.600943. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the third neighbourhood (الحي رقم 3) of Sirte (سرت‎).

    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, 1 infantry and anti-aircraft artillery staging area, 2 armed vehicles, 4 armoured infantry vehicles, 1 tank.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (3) [ collapse]