Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Belligerent Assessment
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Incident Code

LQ032

Incident date

July 13, 2016

Location

اجدابيا, Ajdabia, Al Wahat, Libya

Geolocation

31.181389, 20.2375 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The LNA self-reported helicopter strikes in Ajdabiya between 04:00 and 07:00 near Al-Jelaydah. It said that cars, tanks and ammunition stores were targeted.

Local sources added that two boats northeast of Ajdabiya near Zuwetina were targeted.

Two sources also reported that Al Qaeda senior figure Ibrahim al-Sheikh and five of his companions were killed by an airstrike in Raqata.

The status of any civilian crew onboard the boats 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]

  • Translation: an image shows the two boats targets by the lNA in the area of Al-Zwatina nothingnesses Ajdabiya (Source: Libya now)

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

LC037

Incident date

August 2, 2016

Location

السيدة خديجة, Sayeda Khadija, Derna, Libya

Geolocation

32.78583, 22.5725 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians were injured when the LNA bombed an ammunition depot in Derna, according to local sources.

Ean Libya reported that two civilians were wounded – and two houses destroyed – in airstrikes in Derna.

Almmlka reported that the LNA targeted weapons caches and that the attack also injured civilians. It named the injured as “Al-Qarduh and the child of Mohammed al-Mansouri.”

Yon news also reported that the bombing hit an ammunition depot that held other weapons, possibly leading to secondary explosions.

The outlet News 24 placed the incident in the Sayeda neighbourhood of Derna.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Najib Nasser Al-Qarduh
24 years old male Via news 24 injured
Mohammed Muftah al-Mansouri
6 years old male Via news 24 injured

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Translation: An official in Shura Derna council media Mohammed al-Mansouri: 7 civilians were inured followed Al Karma airstrike on Khadija neighbourhood (Source: Libya Al Ahrar TV)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Sayeda Khadija (السيدة خديجة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.78583, 22.5725. 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 Sayeda Khadija (السيدة خديجة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
  • 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
    Libyan National Army

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ033

Incident date

August 3, 2016

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.190547, 16.571441 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

In an alleged friendly fire incident, a US strike in Sirte was reported to have accidentally killed 13 Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous members.

According to Erem News, LNA spokesman Ahmed al-Mismari commented on the incident: “Colonel Ahmed al-Mismari reported the killing of 13 GNA soldiers in a US aircraft by mistake, which was targeting elements of Daesh downtown Sirte.”

Aldalel reported on Facebook that the airstrike targeted a tank which the GNA soldiers were in.

A total of five or six manned and unmanned airstrikes was recorded by various sources.

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
    US Forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

US Forces Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    US Forces
  • US Forces 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
    US Forces

Sources (6) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC038

Incident date

August 5, 2016

Location

قنفودة, Ganfouda, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.028594, 20.026959 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An elderly man was reportedly killed in an LNA airstrike in Ganfouda, according to Emhona who reported the event on Twitter. He didn’t provide any further details.

The LNA itself reported that its MiG-21 and a MiG-23 targeted the Shura Council in Ganfouda which reported five of its fighters died in an official statement on Twitter.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Ganfouda (قنفودة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.028594, 20.026959. 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 Ganfouda (قنفودة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    1
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC039

Incident date

August 12, 2016

Location

قنفودة, Ganfouda, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.028594, 20.026959 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Various sources reported that between 20 and 31 civilians were killed and around 30 more injured as a result of airstrikes in Ganfouda. Two targets appear to have been struck – a residential home and a prison.

While some sources claimed the attack was conducted by an unknown foreign drone, others blame the LNA or France.

Radio Dabanga reported that five members of a Sudanese family were killed when an unidentified air force bombed their home during fighting between rival factions in Benghazi. The Sudanese outlet reported that the civilians were being used as human shields. The victims were named as Mohammed Aduma Mohammed (the father), his wife Safaa Mansour, and children Mohammed Aduma Mohammed, Rania Mohammed and Heba Mohammed.

The Saraya Media Center showed images of the victims on its Telegram channel and said they were killed as a result of their home collapsing after a French airstrike.

As the victims were reportedly mostly Sudanese citizens, Ambassador Qaraballah Al-Khader later condemned the use of his country’s citizens as human shields and their subsequent deaths.

Alnabaa identified the perpetrator as “French” and said the bombing was carried out by “foreign aircraft supporting [General] Haftar.”

The Libya Observer, citing the local Shura council, said 15 prisoners were killed and 30 civilians injured when a jail used to house supporters of “former regime followers” was also bombed. The Observer also blamed “foreign aircraft, in support of Khalifa Haftar.” A later report raised the death toll to 22 with 9 missing. Ewan Libya published a list of those prisoners deceased and missing.

According to Mohamed Abd Alwanis posting on Facebook, in addition, two Shura Council fighters were reported killed in the incident.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Family members (5)

Mohammed Aduma Mohammed
Adult male Via Dabangasudan killed
Safaa Mansour
Adult female Via Dabangasudan killed
Mohammed Aduma Mohammed
male Via Dabangasudan killed
Rania Mohammed
female Via Dabangasudan killed
Heba Mohammed
female Via Dabangasudan killed

The victims were named as:

Bilal Mohammed Al-Taraki
Age unknown
Ismail Hamed Al-Rubaie
Age unknown
Ismail Boujrada Gaddafi
Age unknown
Abdul Salam Mukhtar Al Ajili
Age unknown
Zakaria Makhlouf the Turgian
Age unknown
Lafi Saleh al-Ashebi
Age unknown Missing
Ali Nasr Grill
Age unknown
Ahmed Zaghloul Fathallah
Age unknown
Mohammed Omar Al-Amari
Age unknown
Abdul Rahman Mohammed Gaddafi
Age unknown Missing
Ahmed Ali Almagri
Age unknown Missing
Mahdi Yusuf Mohammed
Age unknown
Hamed Alturghi
Age unknown
Mohammed Al-Aqili
Age unknown
Abdul Latif Ali Al-Darcy
Age unknown
Adel Salem Nabous
Age unknown Missing
Mustafa Othman Al-Suway
Age unknown
Abdulaziz Abdulwahab Al-Hassi
Age unknown
Khaled Salem Al-Shaeri
Age unknown Missing
Ibrahim Ali Obeidi
Age unknown
Khalifa Awad Al-Akouri
Age unknown Missing
Mohammed Ramadan Al-Nabli
Age unknown Missing

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 31
  • (3 women1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30
  • 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, French Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (5) [ collapse]

  • Saraya Media Center shows the impact of the airstrikes and interviews residents of Ganfouda

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Saraya Media Center interviews those injured in the airstrike

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    A video shows the aftermath of the airstrike (Source:Al-Tanaseh TV)

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Saraya Media Center shows the aftermath of the airstrike and speaks with victims
  • Saraya Media Center speaks with children injured in the airstrike

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Ganfouda (قنفودة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.028594, 20.026959. 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

French Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    20 – 31
  • (3 women1–2 men)
  • Civilians reported injured
    30
  • 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, French Military

Sources (13) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC039a

Incident date

August 12, 2016

Location

بالقرب مدرسة خليج التحدي, Vicinity of Gulf Challenge School, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.190547, 16.571441 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Various sources reported the death of Mohammed al-Qadhafi as a result of a US airstrike on his family home in Sirte.

Tek burns everything said on Facebook: “Mohammed al-Qadhafi, from Farajan of the family of Alwasa name of his mother, Haniyeh Faraj, lives in outside the planned district next to the Gulf Challenge School. Today, it was bombed in Sirte. To be aware, he and his mother only and their financial situation is very difficult.”

Issa Abdelkayoum reported: “The American airliner allied to the Presidential Council and Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous targets a Libyan family in the city of Sirte and leads to the death of the child Mohammad al-Saadi Gaddafi (God’s mercy be upon him). I send my condolences to the familiy. We in Benghazi are almost familiar with one another!”

Other sources posted similar information and condolences,

 

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Mohammed al-Qadhafi
Age unknown male Via Wadi Dinar News Libyan killed

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • This media contains graphic content. Click to unblur.

    Translation: Mohammed Gaddafi. His cousins from Farjan tribal (Alwasat family) his mother name is Hania Farj Alwasat, he was killed by the US strike in Sirte Lait broad name of his mother Haniya Faraj broad died by bombing the US air in Sirte. He live with his mother (Source: @wady_dynar)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the vicinity of the Gulf Challenge School (مدرسة خليج التحدي), located within the city of Sirte (سرت‎). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the school are: 31.199115, 16.594927.

US Forces Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Civilian infrastructure
    School
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected attacker
    US Forces

Sources (8) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC040

Incident date

August 28, 2016

Location

قنفودة, Ganfouda, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.026870, 20.021119 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Up to 21 civilians were reportedly killed in airstrikes on Benghazi. Three local families were reportedly killed as well as 11 Sudanese workers.

While the majority of sources named the LNA as the belligerent, Libya Mostakbal claimed that is was conducted by a ‘Predator’ drone which isn’t part of the LNA air force. However, UAE drones with a similar silhouette have supported LNA operations.

Libya Mostakbal reported that 11 foreign workers, mostly from Sudan, were killed. It was additionally reported that three Libyan families died. “The family members of the Abdali family, consisting of three children with their father and mother, were killed in full, along with the family of the Feturi, a husband and wife” reported Alnabaa.  Members of the Barassi family were reported missing, while Ajwa claimed a third family had died in the strike.

Several outlets cited the local Shura Council, which reported total of 18 strikes were reported on that day in Benghazi.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    21
  • 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 (3) [ collapse]

  • Alnabaa shows footage of the airstrike victims
  • More footage provided by Alnabaa
  • Very graphic: Tanasouh shows the airstrike victims

Geolocation notes (3) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention a residential building being struck in the Ganfouda neighborhood (قنفودة), located within the city of Benghazi (بنغازي). After investigating visual material from sources, we narrowed this location down to a home located at: 32.026870, 20.021119.

  • Screenshot from a local news report showing house targeted by airstrike. Note tag "A" refers to the lane between the targeted home and the adjacent property.

    Imagery:
    Al-Tanasah Foundation

  • Satellite image showing home targeted by airstrike.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

  • Satellite image showing location of home targeted by airstrike within Benghazi.

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    21
  • 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

LQ034

Incident date

August 29, 2016

Location

بنغازي‎, Ganfouda, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.028594, 20.026959 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

The LNA self-reported MiG-23 strikes on “armed militias” in Ganfouda.

However, Benghazi News claimed on Twitter that three airstrikes had been deliberately aimed at civilian infrastructure.

Russia Today added that the bombardment led to a demonstration asking to lift the siege on Ganfouda. It also reported that “Libyan media sources said Monday that the Council of Elders of Misurata condemned the aerial bombardment of Qanfouda in a statement, saying it was ‘a crime committed by the forces of Hafter and foreign forces that support them against defenceless civilians.”

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]