Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

Lib2011-025

Incident date

February 26, 2011

Location

ميدان الشهداء, Martyrs' Square, Al Zawiya, Libya

Geolocation

32.752250, 12.718912 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 26th, 2011, 50 civilians were reported killed and another 50 wounded as a result of heavy artillery shelling on the city of al-Zawiya by Gaddafi forces. Thirty of the wounded were taken to another location, though no other information was provided about casualties.

Al-Jazeera was the only source to report on the strike, quoting a local resident as stating that “mercenaries loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi killed at least 50 civilians in heavy artillery shelling during violent clashes last night with opponents of the regime, while about 50 others were wounded and 30 people were taken to an unknown destination.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    50
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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 Martyrs’ Square (ميدان الشهداء ) being struck in the city of Zawiya (الزاوية‎), for which the general coordinates are: 32.752250, 12.718912. 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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    50
  • Civilians reported injured
    50
  • 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

Lib2011-015

Incident date

February 20, 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 20th, 2011, between 15 and 18 people were killed by Gaddafi security forces in Benghazi. France24 and Wiki news reported the casualty counts, with Al Jazeera Youtube showing a picture of civilian bodies.

France24 reports “some of the security men detained by the protesters were apparently foreign mercenaries. The channel said earlier that security forces shot at funeral mourners, killing 15 people.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    15 – 18
  • 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.

Sources (3) [ 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
    15 – 18
  • 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.

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-171

Incident date

September 21, 2011

Location

بني وليد, Bani Walid, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

31.75805, 13.983513 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least four people were killed by Gaddafi forces in Bani Walid on September 21, 2011 according to News.sar5t.libya and Al Jazeera.

According to both sources, the four people were executed for raising the flag of independence.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Bani Walid (بني وليد), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.75805, 13.983513. 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
    4
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ050

Incident date

July 1, 2017

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.123611, 20.078889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to local sources, “intensive” air raids were launched on Sabri. 218 TV claimed they were conducted by LNA planes.

Emhona said on Twitter they were conducted by Emirati or Egyptian warplanes.

No civilians harm from the event is presently known.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Libyan National Army, Egyptian Military, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Libyan National Army Assessment:

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

Egyptian Military Assessment:

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

United Arab Emirates Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    United Arab Emirates Military
  • United Arab Emirates Military position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Libyan National Army, Egyptian Military, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ031

Incident date

June 16, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Regency Hotel, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.133136, 20.070739 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The LNA reported that it targeted a boat with an airstrike near the Regency Hotel near Sabri, and reported terrorist positions near Qawarsheh. In addition, it said its MiG-21 hit a moving target at the roundabout near the pipe factory.

Local sources added that an ISIS leader named Hassan al-Mushaiti was killed in one of the airstrikes. In addition, another airstrike was reportedly conducted in Qawarsheh.

The status of any civilian crew onboard the vessel is unknown.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (5) [ collapse]

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
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Confirmed
    A specific belligerent has accepted responsibility for civilian harm.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ014

Incident date

October 1, 2015

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi: port, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.110556, 20.043889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Various sources reported that the LNA bombed three ships said to have been trying to deliver weapons to alleged terrorists in Benghazi.

According to Libya’s Channel, “Maj. Mohammed Al-Hijazi said that the Air Force bombed three ships last night headed from Misrata Port carrying ammunition and fighters destined for the city of Benghazi to support the remaining remnants of terrorists after being monitored by the operations room of Battalion 309 on its radar system.”

It is not known if any civilian crews of the boats were killed or injured.

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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: Libya The Air Force bombs two boats off the shores of Benghazi (Source: @wady_dynar)

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
  • 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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC142

Incident date

May 15, 2019

Location

جامع علي بن ابي طالب, Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.767579, 13.096423 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three people were injured in a GNA artillery strike on Qasr Bin Gashir.

Tripoli Now said they were injured when a shell fell on the Ali bin Abi Talib Mosque.

Tk yhrog kl shy2 published a similar report and uploaded a video of the damage at the building.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • 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
    Government of National Accord

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Video of the damage to the mosque

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Ali Bin Abi Talib Mosuqe (جامع علي بن ابي طالب) being struck, for which the generic coordinates are: 32.767579, 13.096423. 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

  • 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
    Government of National Accord

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC166

Incident date

July 16, 2019

Location

عين زارة, Ain Zara, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.816556, 13.267525 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Three civilians reportedly sustained indirect injuries from an LNA airstrike on Ain Zara.

Libya Alahrar TV wrote: “According to the Field Medicine and Support Center, a doctor, a paramedic and an ambulance driver were seriously injured on Tuesday in the course of their humanitarian duties in Ain Zara.

The FMSC said on Facebook that the injury of the medical staff was caused by a traffic accident, where the ambulance collided with another vehicle when they it to avoid night bombardment, which also resulted in the ambulance being damaged.”

Burkanly published a similar report and posted pictures of the damaged vehicle.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of the damaged ambulance

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Ain Zara (عين زارة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.816556, 13.267525. 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
    Airstrike
  • 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 (2) [ collapse]