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

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Incident Code

Lib2011-212

Incident date

November 1, 2011

Location

مزرعة الأبحاث, Research Farm, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.169236, 16.578948 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One child was allegedly killed and his uncle injured by a NATO airstrike on a research farm near Sirte.

Nour Al Din Nasser Al Zanki said: “Abd al-Hadi Hamad Abd al-Rahman Qazwari, the son of an 8-year-old, was struck by a warplane on the research farm and his uncle lost his legs.”

NATO did not report any airstrikes on that day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (2)

Abadi Ahmed Abdul Rahman bin Sartiya
Child male 8-year-old killed
Uncle of Abadi Ahmed Abdul Rahman bin Sartiya
Adult male lost his legs injured

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    NATO forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Abadi Ahmed Abdul Rahman bin Sartiya, killed in Sirte in 2011

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the research farm (مزرعة الأبحاث) south of Sirte (سرت). The generic coordinates for the research farm are: 31.169236, 16.578948. 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

Summary

  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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
    NATO forces
  • Suspected target
    NATO forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-082

Incident date

April 30, 2011

Location

جالو, Jallo Oasis, Al Wahat, Libya

Geolocation

29.046464, 21.516349 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On April 30th, 2011, Gaddafi forces entered the Jallo Oasis, reportedly killing six civilians and four rebels.

According to Agence France-Presse, 66 cars arrived from the south of the Oasis, killing one civilian at a bakery and five more civilian workers during the attack.

Al Jazeera quoted a rebel spokesman, also describing the six civilian deaths.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, 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 attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Jallo (جالو) Oasis area, for which the generic coordinates are: 29.046464, 21.516349. 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
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery, Counter-Terrorism Action (Ground)
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    6
  • Causes of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions, 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 attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected target
    Other
  • Belligerents reported killed
    4

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-166

Incident date

September 16, 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

Several civilians were allegedly killed by Rebel forces shelling on Sirte.

A UN report stated: “Thuwar forces used Grad rockets, artillery shells and RPGs, as well as small and medium calibre weapons in their assault on Sirte. They launched barrages of Grad rockets hitting residential areas like Area 1, Hay al-Dollar, and Montaza. Residents told the Commission that the area was hit by projectiles in mid-September 2011.  Civilian casualties were reported by local residents and independent observers. The Commission visited houses in the neighbourhood of Montaza, examining damage and shrapnel, consistent with the use of Grad rockets.”

@khaled19977 tweeted: “Libyan revolutionaries enter Sirte and Bani Walid, and Gaddafi Brigades members are killed.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

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.

Libyan rebel forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    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
    Libyan rebel forces
  • Suspected target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-024

Incident date

February 26, 2011

Location

بين صبراتة وسرمان, Between Sabratha and Sarman, Zawiya, Libya

Geolocation

32.762800, 12.503712 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 21st, 2011, between 12 and 24 civilians were reported injured by Gaddafi forces between Sarman and Sibrata. Al Jazeera reported Reuters quoting the Libyan newspaper Quirna.

Al Jazeera reports “Reuters quoted a correspondent for the Libyan newspaper Qurina as saying that Gaddafi’s al-Khuwailidi al-Hamidi Brigade fired randomly in the area without specifying the circumstances of the shooting or the identity of the victims.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the area in between the cities of Sabratha (صبراتة) and Sarman (سرمان). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for a middle point between these two cities are: 32.762800, 12.503712.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    12–24
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-213

Incident date

November 2, 2011

Location

مصراتة, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

One man died after being severely beaten while being held in custody by the Independence Brigade rebels in Tawrga’a on November 2, 2011 according to UN Report Source Page 82. A former Qadhafi soldier died on November 2, 2011 after being transferred to a hospital in Misrata. An initial autopsy report obtained by the victim’s family showed that he died as a result of a fracture in his skull.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man1 other protected person)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man1 other protected person)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ029

Incident date

April 13, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.0802474, 18.7866211 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

LNA MiG-23s targeted two vessels near Benghazi according to the official Facebook page.

Another plane hit four reported ISIL targets near Garyounis in Qawarsheh and Garyounis.

The status of any civilian crew onboard the vessels remains 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 (6) [ 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 (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC201

Incident date

September 19, 2019

Location

مرزق القلعة, Murzuq Castle, Murzuq, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Between three and four civilians were reportedly killed in an LNA or Emirati airstrike on Murzuq.

Ali642Souki said: “One of the drone’s missiles targeted one of the Tebu houses and hit a family consisting of a father and 2 of his children and his wife was visiting their neighbours and the father and his sons had died all together and here under the rubble of the house God and yes agent.”

Aldamoh_201112 tweeted: “4 civilians, including an elderly woman and 3 children, were martyred as a result of the UAE air raids on Al Qalaa residential neighbourhood.”

Libya Alhrar TV, however, said that a local official denied any civilian harm: “Municipal Council member Murzuq Muhammad Omar confirmed that Hifter has launched four airstrikes on the city’s Citadel (Al Qalaa) neighbourhood.

Omar explained to the free that the raids did not cause any casualties, pointing out that one of the strikes targeted an empty house of one of the displaced families from the neighbourhood, which displaced most of its residents after the escalation of clashes in the city.”

According to Al Motawaset, the LNA spokesperson Ahmed Al-Mesmari denied any LNA strikes on Murzuq on that day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2–3 children0–1 women0–1 men)
  • 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 attackers
    Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Alleged aftermath of an airstrike on Murzuq on September 19th, 2019 (via Ali642Souki)
  • Alleged aftermath of an airstrike on Murzuq on September 19th, 2019 (via Ali642Souki)
  • Alleged aftermath of an airstrike on Murzuq on September 19th, 2019 (via Ali642Souki)
  • Alleged aftermath of an airstrike on Murzuq on September 19th, 2019 (via Ali642Souki)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Murzuq Castle (قلعة مرزق), for which the generic coordinates are: 25.919023, 13.923895. 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 status
    Contested strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 4
  • (2–3 children0–1 women0–1 men)
  • 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 attackers
    Libyan National Army, United Arab Emirates Military

Sources (9) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC218a

Incident date

October 13, 2019

Location

Unknown, Libya

Airwars assessment

One child was reportedly killed by a possible airstrike in Libya.

Sputnik said: “The day before [October 13th], there were reports that a 13-year-old boy was killed while he was at home.”

The source did not provide further details.

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
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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 geolocation information available.

Unknown Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Unknown
  • Unknown 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
    1
  • (1 child)
  • 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]