Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

LC181

Incident date

August 14, 2019

Location

العزيزية‎, Aziziya, Jafara, Libya

Geolocation

32.531577, 13.020688 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Six civilians were allegedly injured in an LNA airstrike on Aziziya.

According to the Washington Post, “at least four medical staff” were injured.

The Libya Observer wrote: “Haftar’s forces also hit, using a UAE drone, a field hospital in Aziziya in southern Tripoli, leaving behind injuries among both medical staffers and civilians.

According to the spokesman for the Health Ministry, six people had been injured – four civilians and two military personnel – in the strikes against Aziziya field hospital, which also suffered massive damage.”

Libya Alahrar TV reported “a number of wounded” as well as damage to the hospital.

The LNA confirmed conducting the airstrike but did not admit to civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • 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]

  • Pictures of the aftermath

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Aziziya (العزيزية‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.531577, 13.020688. 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, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4–6
  • 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

LC180

Incident date

August 11, 2019

Location

سوق الجمعة , Souq Al Jumaa, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Three people were reportedly injured by LNA artillery shelling on the Souq Al Jumaa neighbourhood of Tripoli.

Libya Alahrar TV wrote: “3 civilians were injured due to shells falling on a residential neighbourhood in Souq Al Jumaa area in Tripoli”

February TV also said three civilians were injured and blamed the LNA for the shelling.

The GNA also accused the LNA and said they were breaking the Eid al-Adha truce agreed between the two parties during the festivities.

The Libya Observer later tweeted that four civilians were injured on August 11th by a Grad rocket that hit a residential building in Souq Al Jumaa.

Amnesty International later published a detailed investigation: “At about 9am on 11 August 2019 an artillery shell struck a house in the Souq al-Joumaa neighbourhood of Tripoli, west of Mitiga airport, injuring three civilians: Mahmoud Bashir Abu Obeid, the owner of the house, his 12-year-old nephew Rawad, and his elderly neighbour Mahfoudh Ben Ali. The shell struck a part of the house which was being used to slaughter sheep at a particularly busy time, on Eid al-Kabir (Feast of Sacrifice), the main religious holiday in the Muslim calendar, which is celebrated by slaughtering a sheep. A witness told Amnesty International:

‘There were several people around, it was busy. The shell which landed here was one of several which landed in the area. Some hit the airport. The airport is being shelled all the time, so one doesn’t really pay so much attention any more. But then suddenly, one of the shell struck right here in the middle of the people. It makes one realise how dangerous this is.’

Fragments recovered at the scene by Amnesty International investigators confirm that the weapon was an OF-412 100m artillery projectile.”

The incident occured at approximately 9:00 am local time.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Mahmoud Bashir Abu Obeid
Adult male injured
Rawad
12 years old male injured

The victims were named as:

Mahfoudh Ben Ali
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • 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 (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Souq Al Jumaa (سوق الجمعة), 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 Souq Al Jumaa (سوق الجمعة).

    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
    3–4
  • 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

LC179

Incident date

August 10, 2019

Location

السدادة, As Saddadah, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

31.467240, 14.626541 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was killed and five more allegedly injured in an LNA airstrike on As Saddadah.

Libya Alahrar TV reported: “One person is killed and 5 others were injured near the great man-made river south of As Saddadah due to the bombing of Hafter Air Force on the administrative headquarters of the company.”

In another article the same outlet said: “According to the source, the shelling targeted an administrative headquarters belonging to the man-made river near the Qardabiya system feeding the cities of the central region with water.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports mention As Saddadah (السدادة) for which  the coordinates are 31.46724, 14.626541. 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
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army
  • Belligerents reported killed
    5

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC178a

Incident date

August 8, 2019

Location

بندلوة, مرزق, Bendalwah, Murzuq, Murzuq, Libya

Geolocation

25.919023, 13.923895 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were allegedly killed and four children injured by a mortar shell in Murzuq.

OCHA reported: “On 8 August, a mortar landed on a house hosting IDPs in the Bendalwah neighborhood resulting in injuries among four children between 2 and 7 years-old and the death of two siblings.”

Other sources picked up on the report and quoted OCHA on the incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Bendalwah (بندلوة), allegedly within Murzuq (مرزق) town. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Murzuq are: 25.919023, 13.923895.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Unknown

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC178

Incident date

August 5, 2019

Location

اربع شوارع الحافلة المحروقة, Vicinity of the Burnt Bus Junction, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

30.830404, 16.541043 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were allegedly killed in a Turkish airstrike near Sirte.

Lana News wrote: “Two people were killed and a child was wounded by a Turkish warplane that supported the Al-Wifaq militia, which targeted a Sirte truck and another civilian vehicle near the city of Sirte.

Medical sources at Ibn Sina hospital in Sirte said on Monday that a truck driver and his companion were killed while their trucks were being targeted.”

It added: “The victim was travelling from Sabha to Benghazi and was shot and then shelled at the intersection known as the “burned bus junction” on the road of Waddan – Abu Hadi.”

Afrigate reported: “Two people were killed and a child was wounded by a Turkish warplane that supported the Al-Wefaq militia [GNA], which targeted a truck from Sirte and another civilian vehicle near the city of Sirte.

Medical sources at Ibn Sina hospital in Sirte said on Monday that a truck driver and his companion were killed while their trucks were being targeted.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Sami Suleiman Meftah Bouferneh
Adult male Father killed
Mahab
11 years old male Son injured

The victims were named as:

Mohammed Salem Al Qarqai
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Picture of one of the alleged victims (via Akhbar Libya 24)
  • Picture of the injured child (via Akhbar Libya 24)
  • The alleged aftermath of the incident (via Akhbar Libya 24)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Burnt Bus Junction (اربع شوارع الحافلة المحروقة), for which the generic coordinates are: 30.796363, 16.538437. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Turkish Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC177

Incident date

August 4–5, 2019

Location

القلعة, Al Qala, Murzuq, Libya

Geolocation

25.919023, 13.923895 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 42 civilians were reportedly killed in an LNA or Emirati airstrike on Murzuq in one of the biggest civilian harm events in Libya since 2011.

Al Jazeera said: “At least 42 people have been killed and dozens wounded in an air raid in southern Libya, an official said, as the United-Nations recognised government blamed forces loyal to renegade general Khalifa Haftar for the attack.”

It added, quoting the same official: “‘No armed or wanted people were among them … Haftar bombed unarmed civilians,’ he said, calling for humanitarian aid since the local hospital could not cope with the high number of casualties.”

Reuters reported: “‘The air strike resulted in 43 killed and 51 wounded. This is only an initial toll of casualties,’ Murzuq municipal council member Mohamed Omar told Reuters in a phone interview.

He said the done strike had targeted a town hall meeting where residents were holding discussions after days of clashes between rival tribesmen.”

The Guardian later said at least 45 people had been killed.

According to various outlets, pro-LNA sources said the strike had targeted Chadian opposition fighters.

While the majority of sources accused the LNA of conducting the strike, it does not itself operate drones. Emad Badi blamed the UAE for flying the drone.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    42 – 45
  • Civilians reported injured
    51–60
  • 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, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Video allegedly showing the aftermath and victims of the airstrike

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Al Qala (القلعة) in the town of Murzuq (مرزق‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 25.915485, 13.910505. 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

United Arab Emirates Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    42 – 45
  • Civilians reported injured
    51–60
  • 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, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (19) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC176

Incident date

August 1, 2019

Location

لمدرسة المهدي بن بركة, Al Mahdi Bin Barka School, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.887193, 13.191295 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Various sources reported indiscriminate shelling on the Al Hadaba Al Badri neighbourhood of Tripoli damaging several houses. One source reported injured civilians.

February TV said: “Operation Volcano of Anger: 3 citizens were injured in the Hadra al-Badri area after a shell hit the Haftar militia on their house.”

Other sources only reported damage to residential buildings but no civilian harm.

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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Picture of a house hit by a shell
  • Video of the aftermath
  • Picture of the aftermath
  • A house allegedly hit by a shell

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Al Mahdi Bin Barka School (لمدرسة المهدي بن بركة),  for which the generic coordinates are: 32.887193, 13.191295. 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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC175

Incident date

July 31, 2019

Location

بو غيلان, Bu Gheilan, Jabal al Gharbi, Libya

Geolocation

32.256356, 13.040226 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reportedly injured in an LNA airstrike on Bu Gheilan near Gheryan.

The Libya Observer said: “A medical source at the Gheryan Central Teaching Hospital reported that a wounded man arrived at the hospital after warplane of Khalifa Haftar bombed the city on Tuesday.”

Ean Libya tweeted: “One civilian injured and a number of civilian vehicles were damaged following an airstrike by the Haftar forces Tuesday night on the town of Gheryan.”

Libya Alahrar TV reported: “One person was injured after Haftar’s air force launched four air strikes on Bu Gheilan area in Gheryan city on Tuesday, including two raids on two houses in the area and a third raid near Bu Gheilan police station.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Cars allegedly damaged in the strike (via Libya Alahrar TV)
  • Video of the aftermath
  • More cars destroyed following the strike

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Bu Gheilan (بو غيلان), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.256356, 13.040226. 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
    1
  • 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 (11) [ collapse]