Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Belligerent Assessment
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Incident Code

Lib2011-063

Incident date

April 7, 2011

Location

القوارشة, Al Qawarsheh, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.112582, 20.082151 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On April 7th, 2011, the body of an unidentified man was found in the Al Qawarsheh neighborhood of Benghazi, suspected to have been killed by Libyan rebel forces. A UN report cites the death of the man.

The UN report states “the General Prosecution in Benghazi indicating that a body of an unidentified black man found in the Kawarsha outskirts of Benghazi was brought on 7 April 2011 with gunshot wounds to the back of the head.”

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 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Al Qawarsheh (القوارشة) in the city of Benghazi (بنغازي), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.021389, 20.073056. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the neighborhood of Al Qawarsheh (القوارشة) in the city of Benghazi (بنغازي).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-217

Incident date

December 14, 2011

Location

طرابلس‎, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.886602, 13.190912 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One man was killed in Tripoli by rebel forces after the rebels tried to confiscate his car and he refused. According to UN Report Source Page 82, the rebels had approached a member of the Tripoli brigade to try to confiscate their car, claiming it was government property, but left after negotiations without the car. Later, when the Tripoli brigade member was driving the vehicle, he was ambushed by the rebels and they fatally shot him. Three of the attackers were arrested and charged with murder while the others escaped.

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]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Tripoli (طرابلس‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.886602, 13.190912. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

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

LC081

Incident date

May 27, 2018

Location

الفتايح, Al Fatayah, Derna, Libya

Geolocation

32.733611, 22.645278 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Heavy air raids on western Derna and Al-Fatayah were launched by LNA planes and UAE drones, according to local sources.

Unlimited News said that civilians were harmed in the strikes: “Activists said airstrikes late on Sunday targeted the western entrance to the city. Hours earlier, a civilian from Derna was wounded, and three others were injured when a random shell fired by the Karama forces hit the East Coast neighbourhood east of the city.”

Libya Akhbar reported: “The warplanes of the Libyan Force launched air strikes on the factory area (al Masana).”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Fatayah (الفتايح), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.733611, 22.645278. 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 Al Fatayah (درنة الفتايح).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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 (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ044

Incident date

April 30, 2017

Location

درنة‎, Derna, Libya

Geolocation

32.733611, 22.645278 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

According to several local sources, an LNA plane targeted the Al-Fatayih area, causing damage to a building but not leading to any human losses or injuries, according to Libya Akhbar: “Sources added that the shelling caused damage to a house in the area without causing casualties. For its part, said the official page of “Operation Chamber Omar Mukhtar” that the bombing targeted what it described as a “terrorist group” in the agricultural nursery.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • 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]

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
    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]

Incident Code

LQ037

Incident date

October 28, 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

Libya’s Channel and Libya Akhbar reported on October 28th that ISIS was using civilians as human shields and that the evacuation of civilians was causing delay to the GNA campaign.

The outlets both referred to Al-Bunyan Al-Marsous spokesman Rida Issa: “A member of the media centre of the Chamber of Operation, Rida Issa, said that the delay was due to of the presence of civilians in the areas of engagement, especially after the forces saved dozens of civilians, including women and children, in the past days.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, US Forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Government of National Accord Assessment:

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

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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, US Forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC003

Incident date

June 1, 2014

Location

قسم الهندسة الميكانيكية, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.050556, 20.052222 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One or three civilians were wounded in three alleged LNA airstrikes in Benghazi, local media reported.

Sources reported that strikes hit the following locations:

Palace of the Crown in the Garyounis area.
Faculty of Mechanical Engineering – previously called the Naji Infunas Comprehensive Institute.
The February 17 camp in Qawarsheh
GNA 204 battalion in Al Rahba

Civilian casualties, however, were only reported in the strike on the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering.

According to Alalam “fighter jets in the air force of the army’s dissident brigade belonging to Khalifa Haftar carried out three air raids on targets of the rebel battalions in the eastern city of Benghazi on Sunday, but two raids missed their targets and hit civilian sites, injuring two people.

C-5 missiles fell on the building of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Technology (Naji Infunas Comprehensive Comprehensive Institute) and destroyed classrooms and computer labs in part, in addition to destroying the headquarters of the training workshops in the college completely. A member of the administrative staff of the Institute and one of his bodyguards were injured by fragments of rockets. They were taken to hospital for treatment.

Agdebia News also reported that the strike on the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering resulted in injury to a civilian, reportedly “a Bangladeshi citizen”.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–3
  • 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]

  • A picture shows the moment of an airstrike carried out at Benghazi University (Source: Workers at Faculty of Engineering, Benghazi University)
  • An image shows a distraction at Benghazi university (Faculty of Mechanical Engineering) followed an airstrike (source: Alalam news)
  • A picture shows the moment of the second airstrike conducted at the university of Benghazi (source: Alwasat)
  • An image shows the third airstrike that conducted at university of Benghazi (source: URGENT Libya is in danger FB page)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the Department of Mechanical Engineering (قسم الهندسة الميكانيكية) for which the coordinates are: 32.050556, 20.052222.  Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

  • Reports of the incident mention the Department of Mechanical Engineering (قسم الهندسة الميكانيكية) for which the coordinates are: 32.050556, 20.052222.

    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
    1–3
  • 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

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

LC204

Incident date

September 25, 2019

Location

مسجد القريو , Al Qaryo mosque, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.892781, 13.264048 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Several civilians were allegedly injured by LNA shelling on Souq Al Jumaa in Tripoli.

Tk Yahrouq Kl shy reported: “A shell landed and a number of civilians were injured in front of Al Qaryo Mosque in Souk Al Jumaa area behind Mitiga Airport.”

In a different post it said several civilian cars were damaged.

Libya Alahrar TV, however, contested the claim and wrote: “A source from the airport said a shell landed near the airport on Wednesday afternoon, near the mosque of Qaryo without causing any human or material damage.”

Other sources reported airstrikes near and at the airport but did not mention civilian harm.

Al Motawaset said that the LNA had declared conducting strikes on Mitiga. It did not mention any shelling in the area around the airport.

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
    2–5
  • 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 attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (15) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (9) [ collapse]

  • Car damaged by bombing on Tripoli on September 25th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Car damaged by bombing on Tripoli on September 25th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Debris after bombing on Tripoli on September 25th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Smoke rising after bombing on Tripoli on September 25th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Street scene after bombing on Tripoli on September 25th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damaged building bombing on Tripoli on September 25th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damaged building bombing on Tripoli on September 25th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damaged building bombing on Tripoli on September 25th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)
  • Damaged building bombing on Tripoli on September 25th, 2019 (via Tk Yahroug Kl shy)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of the Al Qaryo Mosque (مسجد القريو) for which the generic coordinates are: 32.892781, 13.264048. 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
    2–5
  • 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 attacker
    Libyan National Army

Sources (15) [ collapse]