Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Incident Code

LC128a

Incident date

April 27, 2019

Location

النعاعجة, Al Na'aija, Murqub, Libya

Geolocation

32.366389, 13.686389 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilian women were reportedly injured in a GNA airstrike on Tarhuna.

An Amnesty International investigation found: “On 27 April 2019, a GNA aircraft dropped a bomb on Tarhouna, in the courtyard of the al-Hbashi family, injuring two women and damaging the house. Umm Seif told Amnesty International:

‘I was at home alone with my daughters and my 13-year-old son. My husband had gone to Malaysia to bring home our oldest son who had been studying there for the past five years. My youngest boy had just left to go for private lessons when the bomb struck at the exact place where he had been playing just half an hour earlier. The whole house shook and fragments flew right through the inner rooms. My daughter Amani was injured in the face, throat and legs, and my other daughter fainted from the shock.’

In the adjacent house, 40-year-old Aaafia Salah showed Amnesty International the injuries she had sustained to the chest and limbs. She too was inside her home when the strike happened and was injured by fragments of masonry from the wall destroyed by the strike. Fragments recovered at the scene by Amnesty International investigators confirm the bomb was a FAB-500ShL, a 500kg unguided bomb called a “parachute bomb” by local residents because of the large white parachute that deploys out the back to slow and align the ordnance’s decent. This is a large explosive weapon, with a blast radius of over 800m, and therefore not an appropriate weapon to use in populated urban areas.”

Ali Alkasir reported: “Civilian houses in Tarhuna city were shelled by warplanes that left the Misrata Air Force College, wounding civilians and destroying their livelihoods.”

Other sources published similar accounts.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Aaafia Salah
40 years old female injured
Amani al-Hbashi
Age unknown female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Government of National Accord

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of the aftermath

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of  Al Na’aija (النعاعجة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.366389, 13.686389. 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

  • Strike status
    Likely 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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Government of National Accord

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC254

Incident date

December 16, 2019

Location

صلاح الدين, Salaheddin, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.846389, 13.161667 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was allegedly killed by LNA artillery shelling on the Salaheddin neighbourhood of Tripoli.

The Field Medicine and Support Center (FMSC) said: “Salem Al-Nafis Field Hospital, Salah Al-Din, affiliated to the Center for Field Medicine and Support, treated Mr. Ali Ramadan Al-Harak in Salaheddin today, Monday 16-12-2019, who was wounded with shrapnel of shells that landed near his house, which caused his head to be seriously injured and led to his death. He was transferred to Dar Al-Rahma at Tripoli Medical Hospital.”

Libya Alahrar TV wrote: “Ministry of Health spokesman Fawzi Onis confirms to Libya Al-Ahrar the death of a citizen as a result of a random shell fired by Haftar gunmen that landed on his home in Salaheddin.”

Salah Alkabgarie said a child was also injured.

Other sources reported similar accounts.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Ali Ramadan Al-Harak
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Picture of the aftermath of LNA shelling on Salaheddin on Janaury 16th, 2019 (via 218TV)
  • Another picture of the aftermath of LNA shelling on Salaheddin on Janaury 16th, 2019 (via 218TV)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Picture of the victim of LNA shelling on Salaheddin on Janaury 16th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Another picture of one of the victims of LNA shelling on Salaheddin on January 16th, 2019 (via FMSC)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Salaheddin (صلاح الدين), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.846389, 13.161667. 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 Salaheddin (صلاح الدين).

    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
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • 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

Sources (12) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC282

Incident date

January 25, 2020

Location

طرابلس‎: عرادة, Tripoli: Arada, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were allegedly injured by LNA shelling on the Arada neighbourhood of Tripoli.

The Field Medicine and Support Center reported: “Today in the evening, 25-1-2020, the ambulance team of the Center for Field Medicine and Support assisted citizens Samir Musa and Ahmed Al-Ghazewi, who were lightly wounded after a shell landed in the Arada region, ‘Al Mayya Al Hilowa Mosque’”

Hona Souq Al-Khmies said: “Shelling with several Grad rockets a short while ago targeting the Arada road, wounding two civilians.”

Other sources only reported material damage but no civilian harm.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Samir Musa
Adult male injured
Ahmed Al-Ghazewi
Adult male injured

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
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Alleged victim of LNA shelling on Tripoli on January 25th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Destroyed car after alleged LNA shelling on Tripoli on January 25th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Destroyed car after alleged LNA shelling on Tripoli on January 25th, 2020 (via FMSC)
  • Traffic jam after alleged LNA shelling on Tripoli on January 25th, 2020 (via Libya Alahrar TV)
  • Street after alleged LNA shelling on Tripoli on January 25th, 2020 (via Libya Alahrar TV)

Geolocation notes

Reports mention the neighbourhood of Arada (عرادة) in Tripoli (طرابلس‎). 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
    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.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC314

Incident date

March 18, 2020

Location

باب بن غشير, Bab Ben Gashir, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.870935, 13.193550 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

A woman and her daughter and niece were injured because of LNA shelling on the Bab Bin Gashir area of Tripoli.

The rival Burkan Al Ghadab operation said: “Citizen Nisreen Bin Hamed dies, and her daughter and niece are injured, as a result of a shell fired by the war criminal militia militia Haftar on their car in the Bab Bin Ghashir area.”

Libya Alhrar TV quoted the report.

The is currently no further information available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Nisreen Bin Hamed
Adult female killed
Daughter of Nisreen Bin Hamed
Age unknown female injured
Niece of Nisreen Bin Hamed
Age unknown female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the area of Bab Ben Gashir (باب بن غشير), for which the possible coordinates are: 32.870935, 13.19355. 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 Bab Ben Gashir (باب بن غشير).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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 attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC345

Incident date

April 15, 2020

Location

الدبلوماسي, Adduplomasi, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.832547, 13.18911 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was allegedly killed by LNA shelling on the Al-Hay Adduplomasi neighbourhood of Ain Zara.

The Libya Observer said: “Meanwhile, a woman was also killed after suffering injuries of Haftar’s rocket attacks on Al-Hay Al-Diplomasi in Abu Salim.”

Hona Souq Al-Khmies reported that she underwent surgery in the hospital four five hours and then died.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Fatima Boukhreiss
Adult female killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Adduplomasi (الدبلوماسي), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.832547, 13.18911. 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 Adduplomasi (الدبلوماسي).

    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
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • 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

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC375

Incident date

April 29, 2020

Location

أبو الغرب: محطة وقود نسيم الشروق, Naseem al Shorouk Gas Station, Jabal al Gharbi, Libya

Geolocation

30.665078, 13.578995 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were allegedly killed by a GNA or Turkish airstrike near Abu Al Ghurab.

The LNA media center said: “Two ambulances have been attacked, and two people inside died following a Turkish drone strike at 10 am, on Wednesday, 04/29/2020
The attack occurred in the Abu Al Ghurab area, inside the petrol station.”

Libya 24 published a statement by the GNA: “The [GNA] military media announced on Wednesday, targeting three cars carrying ammunition belonging to what it described as Haftar forces, in reference to the army, through air force raids in the Abu Al Ghurab area south of Mizda, confirming the fall of those wounded.”

Mohammed Abo al Qassem said that all of those in the car died after being wounded.

The incident occured at approximately 10:00 am local time.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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
    Government of National Accord, Turkish Military
  • Known target
    LNA

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (3) [ collapse]

  • Petrol station allegedly targeted by a GNA or Turkish strike on April 4th, 2020 (via Mohammed Abo al Qassem)
  • Cars allegedly targeted by a GNA or Turkish strike on April 4th, 2020 (via Mohammed Abo al Qassem)
  • Cars allegedly targeted by a GNA or Turkish strike on April 4th, 2020 (via Mohammed Abo al Qassem)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a petrol station being struck between Qurayyat (القريات) and Nessma gate (وبوابة نسمة). Researching visual material from sources, we have narrowed the location down to Naseem al Shorouk Gas Station, for which the coordinates are: 30.665078, 13.578995

Government of National Accord Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Government of National Accord
  • Government of National Accord position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Turkish Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike, Drone Strike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • 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
    Government of National Accord, Turkish Military
  • Known target
    LNA

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC404

Incident date

May 20, 2020

Location

الحمرونية, Al Hamrouniya, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.661055, 13.271055 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were allegedly injured by GNA shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir.

Akhbar Libya 24 said: “An informed source revealed that members of one family and another person were injured as a result of the fall of artillery shells of the Al-Wefaq [GNA] forces, in a random manner, on residential neighborhoods in the Qasr Bin Ghashir area.

The source pointed out that the indiscriminate shelling by these militias also caused damage to the property of citizens, homes and cars.”

Tk Yahroug Kl shy only reported shelling but no civilian harm: “Violent artillery shelling and smoke eruption in the Hamrouniya area in Qasr Bin Gashir.”

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
    3–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Government of National Accord
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Smoke rising after alleged GNA shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on May 20th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Smoke rising after alleged GNA shelling on Qasr Bin Gashir on May 20th, 2020 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the area of Al Hamrouniya (الحمرونية), allegedly within the town of Qasr Bin Gashir (قصر بن غشير), for which the possible coordinates are: 32.661055, 13.271055. 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

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–4
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Government of National Accord
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-093

Incident date

May 13, 2011

Location

الرويسات, Roiussat, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

Eight to ten civilians, including two children, were allegedly killed and several others injured by Gaddafi forces shelling the Rouissat neighbourhood of Misurata.

Ahrar Libya said: “An hour ago: Gaddafi forces bombed the Ruwaisat and Nisour al-Jaw villages in Misurata, destroying 5 homes and killing 8 people, including two children.”

According to Only4Libya, “the bombing killed two other people, bringing the number to 10 martyrs, including two children, and 20 wounded, 5 of whom were in critical condition.”

Media Center 17 posted: “In the middle of the day, before the Friday prayer prayer, Muammar terrorist mercenaries bombed the Ruwaisat area with a number of Grad rockets, resulting in the death of two children and their sister, as the missile fell in their bedroom and also wounding a number of civilians, including a child and her mother from another house.”

An Amnesty International investigation later found: “Just after midday on 13 May a barrage of Grad rockets smashed into several homes in the Ruissat neighbourhood, south-east of the Misratah city centre, killing and maiming several residents. Rudaina and Mohamed, two of Safia ‘Abdallah Shahit’s three young children, were killed.”

Their mother told Amnesty: “I had bathed the children – Malak, aged five, Mohamed, aged three, and baby Rudaina, aged one. I left them in the bedroom and went to prepare lunch for them. Minutes later, I heard an explosion and ran back to the children’s bedroom when a second rocket smashed into the house. I fell to the ground; there was shattered glass everywhere and more explosions. After hearing the fifth explosion further away, I gathered the courage to enter the children’s bedroom and found them buried under the rubble. I was lifting the rubble, when I saw Rudaina lying under her bed: the back of her head was just gone, pieces of her flesh scattered around. She was a baby, she wasn’t even walking yet. What has she done to deserve this?”

Additionally, “Safia’s daughter Malak survived, but her right leg was so severely wounded that it had to be amputated.”

Amnesty added: “Nearby, Hassan Mohamed al-Rouj, a 36-year-old father of three, was killed by shrapnel from a rocket as he was on his way to the local mosque for Friday prayers. Another rocket smashed into the courtyard of the Sassi family home at 12.45pm. Lotfiya Shikshaka-Sassi, a 55-year old mother of six, sustained a large, deep wound to the abdomen and multiple wounds to the legs, and her 30-year-old son Mohamed was injured in the legs and arms.”

The incident occured around midday.

The victims were named as:

Family members (3)

Rudaina Mostafa Shami
1 years old female killed
Mohamed Mostafa Shami
3 years old male killed
Malak Mostafa Shami
5 years old female injured

Family members (2)

Lotfiya Shikshaka-Sassi
55 years old female injured
Mohamed
30 years old male injured

The victims were named as:

Hassan Mohamed al-Rouj
36 years old male killed
Lotfiya Shikshaka-Sassi
55 years old female injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 10
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other

Sources (10) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • Rubble from house allegedly destroyed by Gaddafi government forces shelling on Misurata on May 13th (via Media Center 17)
  • The video shows a walkthrough of buildings ruined in the shelling and fragments, as well as interviews with a few people on the shelling.

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Muhammad and Rudeina Al-Shami, allegedly killed and his Malak, allegedly injured by Gaddafi forces shelling on Misurata on May 13th (via Liberal Generation)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Muhammad and Rudeina Al-Shami, allegedly killed and his Malak, allegedly injured by Gaddafi forces shelling on Misurata on May 13th (via Emad Misurata)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Roiussat (الرويسات) allegedly within the city of Misrata (مصراتة). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Misrata are: 32.374457, 15.087794.

Gaddafi Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Gaddafi Forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    3 – 10
  • (2 children1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    3
  • 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
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Libyan rebel forces, Other

Sources (10) [ collapse]