Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

LC389

Incident date

May 11, 2020

Location

بوقرين, Abugrein, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

31.445278, 15.25443 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Village level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

An unknown number of civilians died in alleged airstrikes by a UAE aircraft on two civilian cars near Abugrein on May 11th, 2020, according to Libya Al Ahrar.

Libya Al Ahrar reported that, according to the Brigadier General of Sirte Al Jafra Operations Abdul Hadi Dara, “civilians were martyred as a result of the targeting by Emirati aircraft of two civilian cars in Abugrein.”

Tk Yahrouq Kl shy wrote on Facebook that “a drone bombed Al Heisha Al Jadida (Abugrein)”, but did not report the belligerent or civilian harm.

Currently, further information is unavailable to Airwars.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely 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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    United Arab Emirates Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the village of Abugrein (بوقرين), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.445278, 15.25443. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

United Arab Emirates Military Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely 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
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    United Arab Emirates Military
  • Suspected target
    Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LC227a

Incident date

October 24, 2019

Location

مطار الكفرة, Kufra Airport, Kufra, Libya

Geolocation

24.191796, 23.326588 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian was reported killed and one or two reported injured by an explosive remnant of war in Kufra.

Al Wasat said: “Two youths were injured when a shell exploded in the airport neighborhood in the southeastern city of Kufra on Thursday evening, local sources said.

The sources said that the shell was a remnant of the war in the region during the past years, and the explosion wounded two young Omar Saad al-Shamekh and Marei Mohammed al-Sabbagh, who were immediately rescued to the city hospital for treatment.

The same sources pointed out that the two young men have been amputated in the limbs because of the force of the missile explosion, and need urgent surgical intervention.”

Libya’s Channel provided a different account of events: “One person was killed and another injured in the city of Kufra, as a shell exploded left over from the clashes that took place in the city during the past years.

According to the reporter from Libya’s Channel in the city that the two citizens were severely injured by the explosion, and severed limbs, and after being transferred to the hospital, one of them died and the other was given the necessary assistance, explaining that they were trying to remove the shell from its place so as not to harm others, and during the attempt to remove them exploded and transported And then to the city hospital.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Omar Saad al-Shamekh
Adult male injured
Marei Mohammed al-Sabbagh
Adult male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the vicinity of Kufra Airport (مطار الكفرة), for which the generic coordinates are: 24.191796, 23.326588. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Unknown Assessment:

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • Civilians reported injured
    1–2
  • 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
    Unknown
  • Suspected target
    Other

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-177

Incident date

September 23, 2011

Location

الجيزة البحرية, Al Giza Al Bahriya, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.209412, 16.596702 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Two civilians, including one child were allegedly injured by a NATO airstrike on the Al Giza Al Bahriya area of Sirte.

Ahmed Itbiga said the two were killed by a NATO strike on a condolence page on Facebook. A nurse in a video confirms their deaths.

Other pages published similar posts.

NATO reported striking “1 Ammunition Storage Facility, 1 Anti Aircraft Gun, 1 Command and Control Node, 2 Armed Vehicles” near Sirte on that day.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Doaa M'hamed Ramadan Aba Al Tarshani Gaddafi
Child female killed
Nasser Muhammad Al-Taya Al-Tarshani Al-Gaddafi
Adult male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Doaa M'hamed Ramadan Aba Al Tarshani Gaddafi, allegedly killed by NATO airstrike on Sirte on September 23rd, 2011 (via Al Gaddadifa martyrs)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Giza Al Bahriya (الجيزة البحرية), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.209412, 16.596702. 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 Giza (الجيزة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

NATO forces Assessment:

  • Known belligerent
    NATO forces
  • NATO forces position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Original strike reports

NATO forces
Official source

In the vicinity of Sirte: 1 Ammunition Storage Facility, 1 Anti Aircraft Gun, 1 Command and Control Node, 2 Armed Vehicles

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • (1 child1 man)
  • 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.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces
  • Known target
    Gaddafi forces

Sources (7) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-051

Incident date

March 28, 2011

Location

مصراتة‎, Misrata, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

On March 27th 2011, Gaddafi forces reportedly bombed Misurata either with airstrikes or artillery shelling, which resulted in wounded civilians being treated in a hospital, according to a video published by a single local source.

There is currently no further information available.

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
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Other, Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Caption translation: "Recording of the wounded civilians in Misrata after Gaddafi forces bombed the city on Monday, March 28, 2011" (via Adel Sunalla)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Misurata (مصراتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.374457, 15.087794. 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
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Suspected attacker
    Gaddafi Forces
  • Suspected targets
    Other, Unknown

Sources (1) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-023

Incident date

February 25, 2011

Location

الزاوية, Al Zawiya, Libya

Geolocation

32.759709, 12.732495 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 25th, 2011, Gaddafi forces bombed a mosque in Al Zawiya, killing ten using artillery and aircraft. No additional information on the victims was reported, although the deaths were reported by multiple sources on Twitter.

@alahlawy29 tweeted “an eyewitness from Al-Zawiya to Al-Jazeera: Anti-tanks and aircraft are used against demonstrators in Libya.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike and/or Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • 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 target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention a mosque being struck in the city of Zawiya (الزاوية‎). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Zawiya are: 32.759709, 12.732495.

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
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    10
  • 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 target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (4) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-014

Incident date

February 19, 2011

Location

نادي الحيا, Nadi Al Hiyat Football Ground, Misurata, Libya

Geolocation

32.373889, 15.085000 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Nearby landmark level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On February 19th, 2011, four protestors were shot by Gaddafi security forces, and between three to five other protestors were injured in Misrata. Amnesty and Wiki News confirmed the casualties.

Among the victims were Khaled Abu Shahma, a 42 year old firefighter and father of seven, Ali Hussein al-Dweik, a 43 year old journalist, and 30 year old Khaled Ibrahim al-Sriti, and 22 year old Abdel Hakim Ahmed Abou Zakiya, and an unnamed 27 year old stationary shop owner.

Amnesty quotes “100 demonstrations started on 19 February, initially in solidarity with protesters in Benghazi. After security forces used force and firearms, protesters started calling for the downfall of the al-Gaddafi regime Almost immediately, the first protester was killed. Khaled Abu Shahma, a 42-year-old firefighter and father of seven, was shot in the abdomen at about 3pm and died shortly after.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Khaled Abu Shahma
42 years old male killed
Ali Hussein al-Dweik
43 years old male killed
Khaled Ibrahim al-Sriti
30 years old male killed
Abdel Hakim Ahmed Abou Zakiya
22 years old male killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Nadi Al Hiyat football ground (نادي الحيا) in the city of Misrata (مصراتة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.373889, 15.085000. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    5
  • Civilians reported injured
    3–5
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Fair
    Reported by two or more credible sources, with likely or confirmed near actions by a belligerent.
  • Suspected target
    Libyan rebel forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-142

Incident date

August 20, 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

At least 15 people were killed in Tripoli on August 20, 2011 according to an Islamtoday post on Facebook. It is unknown whether those killed were civilians or fighters and it is unknown who killed them. The bodies were buried around the time that the Libyan revolutionaries attacked Libya.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 15
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–15

Sources (3) [ 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
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    0 – 15
  • Cause of injury / death
    Small arms and light weapons
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected target
    Unknown
  • Belligerents reported killed
    0–15

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ052

Incident date

July 16, 2017

Location

الحدود الليبية المصرية, Libyan-Egyptian border, Butnan, Libya

Geolocation

29.3223255, 24.7302246 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Subdistrict level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Egyptian airstrikes targeted 15 vehicles reportedly loaded with weapons near the border with Libya as they attempted to enter Egypt.

According to Egyptian military sources cited by Libya’s Channel, “Egyptian armed forces have carried out military operations during the twenty-four last hour, building intelligence information, according to the gathering of a number of criminal elements to infiltrate from the western border to Egypt using a number of SUVs.”

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
    Egyptian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

Egyptian Military Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    Egyptian Military
  • Egyptian Military 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
    Egyptian Military

Sources (3) [ collapse]