Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

LC023

Incident date

February 7, 2016

Location

درنة‎: باب طبرق, Bab Tobruk, Derna, Libya

Geolocation

32.752637, 22.640017 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unknown aircraft bombed the Bab Tobruk neighbourhood near the medical centre in Derna, which led to the death of a woman and her child, according to local and international sources.

The three strikes, which reportedly targeted the Shura Council, damaged the Al Wahda hospital and the Omar bin Khattab mosque in the Zuhour district of Bab Tobruk. According to various sources, the strikes also hit a neighbourhood that wasn’t controlled by ISIS.

No warring party in Libya or any foreign government claimed responsibility for the attack. Libya Observer and Digital Journal later reported that Muftah Hamza, commander of the Al-Hilah axis, had accused the UAE of being responsible for the strikes.
Saqr el-Jerroushi from Libya’s internationally recognised government accused a “neighbouring country” of having conducted the airstrikes.

Ean Youth reported that “four people, including a child, a woman and two other youths” were killed. Other sources added that heavy damage had been caused to homes in the area.

Alnabaa News reported that of the four killed, two were “fighters of the Mujahideen Shura Council of Darnah”, suggesting that they were not civilians.

Alwasat news has listed the four victims names including one child, his mother and two adults.

While it has been stated in the HRW report that “Two bombs struck the Al-Wahda Hospital compound in the Bab Tobruk area, killing at least two civilians, including a child, and causing extensive damage”.

The incident occured at approximately 5:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Mistura al-Derasi
Age unknown female Via Alwasat news killed
Mohammed Juma
Child male Via Alwasat news killed
Walid Boukhatwa
Age unknown male Via Alwasat news killed
Muhamed al-Obeidi
Age unknown male Via Alwasat news killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • An image shows the aftermath of the airstrike allegedly conducted by LNA in Derna (Source: Al-Nabaa TV)
  • A picture shows the aftermath of the airstrike allegedly conducted by LNA in Derna (Source: Alwasat)
  • An image shows people gathering around the place followed an alleged LNA airstrike in Derna (Source: Alwasat News)
  • An image shows a building damaged followed an alleged LNA airstrike on Derna (Source: Alwasat News)
  • A report video: unknown aeroplane conducted airstrike in Derna which led to killing at least four people (Source: Alwasat news)
  • Translation: Libya Now | A statement of the Crisis Committee of the city of Derna in Tripoli condemn the aerial bombardment of Bab Tobruk (Source: @libyaalaan)
  • Translation: A condemn by the crises committee in the eastern coast Derna regarding the bombardment of Bab Tobruk (Source: @fawzi898)
  • An image shows the damage of Al-Wihda Hospital staff housing units in Derna, followed alleged airstrikes on February 7, 2016 (Source: HRW)
  • A picture shows the damage of Al-Wihda Hospital in Derna, followed alleged airstrikes on February 7, 2016 (Source: HRW)
  • A picture shows the damage of Al-Wihda Hospital in Derna, followed alleged airstrikes on February 7, 2016 (Source: HRW)
  • An image shows the damage of Al-Wihda Hospital in Derna, followed alleged airstrikes on February 7, 2016 (Source: HRW)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: 1 - The killing of a child and his mother by an air raid by unidentified aircraft dawn today on civilian houses in Bab Tobruk district of the city of Derna, east of Libya (Source: @ ahmad_khalifa78)

Geolocation notes (6) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention several airstrikes targeting the Bab Tobruk (باب طبرق) neighborhood in Derna (درنة). After investigating visual material from sources, we narrowed the locations of these airstrikes to a parking lot and a medical complex, the exact coordinates for which are 32.755768, 22.639904 and 32.752637, 22.640017, respectively. At least two civilians were killed in the strike targeting the latter location.

  • Image from scene of airstrike targeting parking lot

    Imagery:
    Witness

  • Satellite image showing parking lot targeted by airstrike

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Image showing features destroyed in airstrike targeting medical complex, including medical school, staff residences, and mosque. Note tag "D" refers to the water tower barely visible behind the line of trees.

    Imagery:
    Witness

  • Image showing line of trees abutting location of airstrike targeting medical complex

    Imagery:
    Witness

  • Image showing features destroyed in airstrike targeting medical complex

    Imagery:
    Witness

  • Image showing features destroyed in airstrike targeting medical complex. Note the water tower tagged "D" that was barely visible behind the row of trees. Also note the large mosque at the bottom left of the image.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

United Arab Emirates Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2 – 4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (26) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ024

Incident date

February 8, 2016

Location

درنة‎, Derna, Libya

Geolocation

32.757426, 22.637601 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A Libyan Air Force MIG-23 was shot down in the Sidi Khalid area, 35 km West of Derna, after conducting airstrikes in Derna according to various sources. Apparently, the plane had shelled the 400 neighbourhoods in retaliation for the killing of civilians on February 7th.

The Libya Observer reported that the Derna Shura Council, which had been targeted by the plane, downed it. The pilot Younis Al-Dinali made it out alive. He claimed that the jet crashed due to a technical malfunction.

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 (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A video shows A Libyan Air Force MIG-23 that was shot down in the Sidi Khalid area

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 (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ025

Incident date

February 10, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Jawhara Resort, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

31.992496, 19.971215 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

LNA and various sources reported that it targeted ‘terrorists strongholds’ in Sidi Faraj, Al-Laithi, Bouatni and Garyounis, near Nabous Square. It also hit a vessel 40 km off the Coast. According to Al Wasat, the vessel was loaded with ammunition. According to the LNA’s official site, “A Libyan Arab air force fighter on Wednesday targeted a dredger/vessel west of the city of Benghazi at a distance of 40 km from the coast after the radar system detected it. It was targeted at 6:30 pm. The smoke rose from the dredger/vessel after being targeted, and fire lit the ammunition.”

The fate of any civilian crew on board the boat 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]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • A video whos the moment of the military aircraft bombard in al-Lithi district in Benghazi (Source: Libya's Channel)

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

LC024

Incident date

February 19, 2016

Location

صبراتة‎: قصر تليل / علالقة, Sabratha, Qasr Talil / Alalqa, Zawiya, Libya

Geolocation

32.7904653, 12.4030418 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians of Serbian embassy staffers died along with a reported two or more women in a US airstrike in Sabratha which overall killed between 43 and 60 people – mostly Tunisians, who were allegedly training to carry out atrocities in Tunisia on behalf of ISIS. The strike also reportedly killed Noureddine Chouchane, a senior member of the Islamic State group.

The two diplomats were being held hostage by ISIS. Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vučić told reporters: “Apparently, the Americans were not aware that foreign citizens were being kept there.”

Al Nabaa reported that unknown aeroplanes conducted an airstrike that killed 20 people. It also referred to another source that said three airstrikes hit a two-storey house.

The Intercept investigated the case and found that evidence was “mounting” that the two Serbians were at the destroyed farm. The autopsy of the bodies showed the injuries sustained came most likely from a bombing and eyewitness confirmed that two bodies “didn’t look Libyan or Tunisian”.

According to Reuters – who cited the mayor of Sabratha, Hussein al-Thwadi “the planes hit a building in the city’s Qasr Talil district, home to many foreigners. Locals officials said 43 people were killed. The strikes targeted a house in a residential district west of the centre, municipal authorities said in a statement. The house had been rented to foreigners including Tunisians suspected of belonging to Islamic State, and medium-calibre weapons including machine guns and rocket-propelled grenades had been found in the rubble, the statement said”. The mayor added that the building was “just a house, used for meetings”, and not, as claimed, a training camp for ISIS fighters.

Ahmned Bin Rashid Bin Said @loveLiberty tweeted that as many as 49 people died in the raid – including women. France24 also put the figure at 49, adding that “the raid also killed two embassy employees kidnapped in November.”

WND later reported: “The Libyan parliament filed a formal protest, saying it “strongly condemns” the airstrike because it involved no “coordination or consultation with the interim Libyan government.”

However, Pentagon spokesman U.S. Navy Capt. Jeff Davis told G2 Bulletin that there was indeed prior consultation and coordination and that the United States will continue its airstrikes against ISIS locations. Davis said that he wasn’t aware of any “fallout, per se” from the U.S. action but said that the attack was an “operation in coordination with international law and with the knowledge of Libyan authorities.”

The Washington Post reported: “Thus far, we have not found any credible information that indicates these people were killed in this air strike,” Davis said, referring to Serbian diplomats Sladjana Stankovic and Jovica Stepic, who were kidnapped in Sabratha on Nov. 8th.” It further stated: “A defence official, who like others spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss an internal assessment, said the Pentagon had several reasons for believing the Serbians were not at the Islamic State camp when the strike place. First, he said, Libyan first responders who arrived at the bombing site and later took casualties to a nearby hospital had not reported finding Westerners on the scene.

Secondly, he said, photos circulated of the slain diplomats did not appear to have been taken at or near the bombing site and did not suggest either was killed in what the official described as a massive strike.

“The state of the remains was not consistent with having been killed in an airstrike of this magnitude and intensity,” the official said.

Instead, American officials said they believe the diplomats may have already been dead, and their bodies may have already been in Tripoli, at the time of the airstrike. Officials said they believed the Westerners were not being held hostage by the Islamic State but rather by a criminal group that hoped to ransom them for cash.

The incident occured around dawn.

The victims were named as:

Sladjana Stanković
Adult female Via France 24 killed
Jovica Stepić
Adult male Via France 24 killed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • A video shows the aftermath of the airstrike which allegedly conducted by the US, targeting ISIS members were in a house in the city of Subratha

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: Sadly among the dead in the shelling of the town of Sabratha last night, "female and male from Serbia" had been announced that they were kidnapped by ISIS lately (Source: @ libyans17feb)
  • An image shows the Serbian Foreign Affairs Minister Ivica Dacic, right, stands next to the coffins of two Serbian Embassy staff abducted in Libya, at Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla airport, Serbia, Feb. 23, 2016 (Souce: the intercept)

Geolocation notes (4) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention that airstrikes targeted two homes in the Qasr Talil ( قصر تليل) neighborhood, about eight kilometers west of Sabratha. After investigating visual material from sources, we narrowed down this location to a compound located at 32.7904653, 12.4030418.

  • Image from scene of airstrike with distinctive features marked.

    Imagery:
    Witness

  • Image from scene of airstrike with distinctive features marked.

    Imagery:
    Witness

  • Satellite imagery taken on day of airstrike showing features marked on previous images.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Satellite image showing the target of airstrike. Note that most of the buildings surrounding the targeted structure were also completely destroyed in the strike.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    4
  • (1 woman2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (34) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ025a

Incident date

February 24, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.136111, 20.078889 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The LNA launched “accurate” airstrikes against terrorist militias in Qawarsheh and Sabri according to their Facebook page.

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 (1) [ 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 (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC025

Incident date

March 6, 2016

Location

جارف, Jarf, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.078051, 16.312600 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man died and his son and another man were wounded in an airstrike on the village of Jarf, local media reported.

Multiple sources, including Ewan Libya, named the fatality as Muhammad Hessar Amouri, adding that his son Abu-Shiba Abdulrahman Abustah was wounded, as was a third man, named as Omran Zerouq Khattari.

According to @AbuzeidSultan, the Muhammad Hessar Amouri was the father of eight children, and he was killed when the strike hit the shops in Jarf.

Citing a local resident, Reuters also reported the death of one civilian in Sirte. The local blamed military forces in western Misrata, which supported the Tripoli government.

Additionally, Ewan Libya reported that unidentified airstrikes hit Sirte in the city centre, the town Jarf in the south of Sirte and Thahair in the outskirts. The strikes reportedly targeted ISIL forces who were claimed to have gathered in these areas. A source told Ewan Libya that houses were damaged – but made no mention of civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Muhammad Hessar Amouri
Adult male Via Hani Adem killed
Abu Shiba Abdulrahman
Adult male Via Hani Adem injured
Omran Zerouq Khattari
Adult male Via Hani Adem injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: Aerial bombardment in the outskirts of the city of Sirte in the village of Jarif and the martyrdom of Muhammad Hisar and wounded Abushiba and Omaran al-Zarrouq al-Khadiry from Gadadga (Source: Hani Adem)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Jarf (جارف), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.078051, 16.312600. 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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC026

Incident date

March 9, 2016

Location

الزعفران, Zaafran, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.207222, 16.550278 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two female children and their mother from Hamad Hamed Al-Sayah Hambali were among up to eight victims who died in airstrikes on the area of Zafaran and the power station in Sirte, local media reported. The daughters were named as Isra and Wafaa.

According to Mahmoud Mohamed Salem on March 9th, “there were frequent reports of aircraft hitting civilian targets in the city of Sirte, the latest of which was this morning. The house of Hamed Hamed Al-Hiyal Al-Hamali was attacked in the city of Sirte near the water station and the buildings of the water and electricity company, 7 km west of Sirte. Sources said that the family lost two of its daughters and the mother is still in the intensive care room.”

However other sources including Seda Libya and Ali Alkasih reported that the mother was also killed.

One source, Fazan News Agency, put the death toll as high as eight.

Libya Now also reported that there had been deaths as a result of a bombing in the Zafaran area, though it didn’t provide casualty figures.

On November 22nd, Airwars contacted Ahmed Hamid al-Sayah, the father of the victims who is based in Egypt. He confirmed the death of his two daughters and his son and daughter being injured in the incident. He provided several documents including images and hospital reports. The father claims the GNA conducted the strike.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (4)

Wafa Ahmed Hamid Al-Sayah
Child female Via the victim family killed
Isra Ahmed Hamed Al-Sayah
Child female Via the victim family killed
Hamid Ahmed Al-Sayah
Child male Via the victim family injured
Sister of Hamid Al-Sayah
Adult female Via the victim family injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 8
  • (2 children)
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Government of National Accord
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (12) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    The children Isra and Wafaa killed in an airstrike on Sirte, March 9th (via Khaled Alkhwaildi)
  • An image showing the victims' house in Sirte (via the victims' family)
  • An image showing the victims' house in Sirte (via the victims' family)
  • An image showing the victims' house in Sirte (via the victims' family)
  • An image shows the victims house in Sirte city following by an unknown airstrike which led to killing two little girls and injured one child and an adult woman (source: the victim family)
  • An image showing the victims' house in Sirte (via the victims' family)
  • An image showing the victims' house in Sirte (via the victims' family)
  • An image showing the victims' house in Sirte (via the victims' family)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    An image showing Hamid Ahmed al-Sayah, allegedly injured in the incident (via the victim's family)
  • An image shows the death certificate of the Esra al-Syah, killed followed an unknown airstrike on her house (via victim's family)
  • An image shows the death certificate of the Wafa al-Syah, killed followed an unknown airstrike on her house (via victim's family)
  • A picture shows Hamid's sister hospital report who was injured following an unknown airstrike on her house in Sirte (via victim's family)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the neighbourhood of Zafraan (الزعفران). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Zaafran are: 31.207222 16.550278.

  • Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the neighbourhood of Zafraan (الزعفران).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 8
  • (2 children)
  • 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Government of National Accord
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ026

Incident date

March 9, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Libya

Airwars assessment

The LNA reported that it destroyed two sea vessels West of Benghazi near Al Jawhara resort. The statement says that the boats belonged to the Derna Shura Council and were carrying ‘fighters and ammunition’. In addition, the LNA launched strikes on reported positions of the terrorist militias in Qawarsheh and the perimeter of the cement factory in Hawari.

The status of any civilian crews on the vessels is presently 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 (3) [ 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 (3) [ collapse]