Civilian Casualties

Civilian Casualties

Belligerent
Country
Libya
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Civilian deaths confirmed by belligerent

Incident Code

LC423

Incident date

December 4, 2020

Location

ترهونة, Tarhuna, Murqub, Libya

Geolocation

32.434236, 13.635063 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Town level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

One civilian died and another was injured in an explosion of a shell from previous shelling on Tarhuna.

60:60 posted: “The death of the young man, Miftah Abu Aisha Al-Azraq, and the injury of another person, as a result of a shell exploding in their farm in the city of Tarhouna while they were doing cleaning inside the farm.”

Libya Alahrar TV added: “The same sources added that the explosion occurred while the family members, who were displaced in the capital, Tripoli, were visiting their farm and cleaning it of war remnants in the city of Tarhuna.”

Tarhuna had been shelled earlier in 2020 as part of fighting between GNA and LNA-aligned forces.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Miftah Abu Aisha Al-Azraq
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
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (2) [ collapse]

  • Miftah Abu Aisha Al-Azraq, killed by unexploded ordnance in Tarhuna (via Ras Hasan Al Toumiya)
  • Miftah Abu Aisha Al-Azraq, killed by unexploded ordnance in Tarhuna (via Ras Hasan Al Toumiya)

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the town of Tarhuna (ترهونة), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.434236, 13.635063. 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
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 man)
  • Civilians reported injured
    1
  • Cause of injury / death
    Planted explosives and unexploded ordnance (UXO)
  • 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
    Unknown

Sources (3) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-179

Incident date

September 23, 2011

Location

الجيزة, Al Giza , Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

A pregnant woman was allegedly killed by a NATO airstrike on Sirte.

Noura Al Din Al Nasser Al Zinki said: “Zohor Fawzi Fadel, 28, was killed while pregnant, 9/23/2011 as a result of the bombing of the family’s home in the Giza Al Askariya District.”

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

The is currently no further information available.

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Zohor Fawzi Fadel
Age unknown female pregnant killed

Summary

  • Strike status
    Declared strike
  • Strike type
    Airstrike
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Al Giza (الجيزة), 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
    1
  • (1 woman)
  • Cause of injury / death
    Heavy weapons and explosive munitions
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.
  • Known attacker
    NATO forces

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-060

Incident date

April 5, 2011

Location

شارع طرابلس ومنطقة الميناء, Tripoli Street and the Port, Misrata, Libya

Geolocation

32.369469, 15.083981 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

On April 5th 2011, two civilians were reported killed and 26 injured as a result of artillery shelling by Gaddafi forces on the city of Misurata. The bombing was said to have started at 10am.

According to Al Jazeera, “A Libyan rebel said today, Wednesday, that two people were killed and 26 wounded in artillery shelling launched by the security brigades loyal to Colonel Muammar Gaddafi on the city of Misrata.”

Another rebel man said, “The pro-Gaddafi forces bombed Misrata, but the bombing has now stopped … The attacks were mainly around the port and the Tripoli Street area near the city centre.”

The man, Abd al-Salam, said in a phone call to Reuters that Misrata was bombed by tanks, artillery and mortar shells, mainly in Tripoli Street and the Mina area, noting that the bombing began at ten in the morning yesterday and stopped at five in the afternoon the same day.

There is currently no further information available.

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

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    26
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention strikes around the port (الميناء‎) area and Tripoli street (شارع طرابلس) in the city of Misurata (مصراتة). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for the port of Misurata are: 32.363523, 15.218700. The generic coordinates for Tripoli street are: 32.369469, 15.083981.

  • Reports of the incident mention strikes around the port (الميناء‎) area and Tripoli street (شارع طرابلس) in the city of Misurata (مصراتة).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

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
    2
  • Civilians reported injured
    26
  • 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, Unknown

Sources (2) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-121

Incident date

June 29, 2011

Location

دوفان, Doufan, Misrata, Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

On June 29th, 2011, rockets on Misurata from Gaddafi forces killed one thirteen year old and injured six others. The shelling was primarily aimed at the Doufan neighborhood. The deceased thirteen year old was identified as Moftah Muhammad Jalwal, while three out of the six injured were identified, but their ages were not provided.

Multiple sources confirmed the shelling, as well as civilian casualties. A video from Al Smood Libya showed an interview following the shelling, and showed several images reported to have been a result of the bombings.

A Facebook post by Farag Akwadir stated “The brigades were concentrated in the Dofan area south of Misrata. The shelling and bombardment were directed at civilian neigborhoods and distroyed several homes and other civilian properties.”

The local time of the incident is unknown.

The victims were named as:

Moftah Muhammad Jalwal مفتاح محمد جلوال
13 years old male killed
Ahmed Abu Zeid Shahban أحمد ابوزيد شهبان.
Age unknown male injured
Adnan Baiyou عدنان بعيو.
Age unknown male injured
Ahmed Al-Salihi أحمد الصالحي
Age unknown male injured

Summary

  • Strike status
    Likely strike
  • Strike type
    Artillery
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (4) [ collapse]

  • An interview with an unnamed man, showing the aftereffects of the bombing on Misrata. Also shows an image of the one thirteen year old reported killed as part of the bombing. Video from the Al Somood libya Youtube channel, dated June 29, 2011.
  • A video showing a visit to a hospital ward and injured children, reported to be the aftermath of the June 29 2011 bombing on Misrata. Several injured children are shown, as well as an interview with an unnamed man, and a recording of a conversation of a child, reported to be Moftah Muhammad Jalwal, who was killed during the bombings. Video from the Bengazi 17 feb Youtube channel, dated June 30, 2011.
  • An image of the body of Moftah Muhammad Jalwal, a thirteen year old boy killed in the bombings on Misrata. Image is dated June 30, 2011, taken from the Bengazi 17 feb Youtube channel.
  • An image of the body of Moftah Muhammad Jalwal, a thirteen year old boy killed in the bombings on Misrata. Image is dated June 29, 2011, taken from the Al Somood libya Youtube channel.

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Doufan (دوفان) neighborhood, allegedly in the south of Misurata (الغيران) city. Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Misurata 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
    1
  • (1 child)
  • Civilians reported injured
    6
  • 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 (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

Lib2011-017

Incident date

February 21, 2011

Location

قاعدة فضيل بن عمر الجويه, Benghazi, Benghazi , Libya

Geolocation

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

Airwars assessment

On February 21st, 2011, nine burned bodies were found in the Fadeel ben Oumar military base, near Tripoli. The civilians had their hands tied behind their back, suspected to be due to capture by the Gaddafi forces, reported by a UN report.

The report states “on 21 February, he had been called to Fadeel ben Oumar military base, where in an underground cell, nine burned bodies were found. There was a fuel jerrycan beside the bodies. The bodies, (seemingly in civilian clothes from what remained), reportedly had their hands tied behind their back. The doctor noted they had suffered shots to the head, and he believed from the condition of the bodies that they had been burned after being killed.”

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
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

  • UN
    • Arabic
    • Arabic

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the Fadil Ben Omar Military Base (قاعدة فضيل بن عمر الجويه ), allegedly in the vicinity of Benghazi (بنغازي‎). Due to limited satellite imagery and information available to Airwars, we were unable to verify the location further. The generic coordinates for Benghazi are: 32.112582, 20.082151.

Summary

  • Strike status
    Single source claim
  • Strike type
    Ground operation
  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    9
  • Airwars civilian harm grading
    Weak
    Single source claim, though sometimes featuring significant information.

Sources (1) [ collapse]

  • UN
    • Arabic
    • Arabic

Incident Code

Lib2011-202

Incident date

October 6, 2011

Location

سرت‎, Sirte, Libya

Geolocation

31.20892, 16.58866 Note: The accuracy of this location is to City level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

At least 17 people were killed, including one man who was a soldier in Qadhafi’s forces, in Sirte by rebel forces around October 6, 2011 according to the UN Report Source Page 78.

A Tawerghan living in an IDP camp was a relative of the soldier killed and was told about his relative’s death by someone that survived the incident.

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
    17
  • (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

Geolocation notes

Reports of the incident mention the city of Sirte (سرت‎), for which the generic coordinates are: 31.20892, 16.58866. 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
    17
  • (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

Incident Code

LC088

Incident date

September 11, 2018

Location

أبو سليم, Abu Salim, Tripoli, Libya

Geolocation

32.842957, 13.171578 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Neighbourhood/area level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Around four civilians were reported injured because of indiscriminate artillery shelling on the Abu Salim neighbourhood of Tripoli.

The Municipal Council of Abu Salim posted on Facebook about the events: “Shelling on one of the safe houses behind the health complex in the municipality of Abu Salim, causing panic among the residents and some damage to the building. Some civilians walking nearby were injured, three teenagers suffered minor injuries and a driver was seriously injured.

The injured people are at Abu Salim Hospital.”

Ean Libya published a similar report referring to the Council’s statement.

Libya 24 reported: “At dawn, a shell landed on a house behind the health complex in the municipality of Abu Salim. A number of civilians were injured, including a serious injury, in addition to damage to the building.”

Clashes in the previous week between the 7th Brigade and GNA-affiliated militias point at one of them as the perpetrators.

UN envoy Ghassan Salame claimed to know who is behind the shelling in a press conference and said he would disclose it if the shelling continues.

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
    Contested
    Competing claims of responsibility e.g. multiple belligerents, or casualties also attributed to ground forces.
  • Suspected attackers
    Government of National Accord, 7th Brigade

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Media
from sources (1) [ collapse]

  • Pictures of the people injured in the attack (via Abu Salim Municipal Council)

Geolocation notes (1) [ collapse]

Reports of the incident mention the neighbourhood of Abu Salim (أبو سليم), for which the generic coordinates are: 32.842957, 13.171578. 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 Abu Salim (أبو سليم).

    Imagery:
    Google Earth

Government of National Accord Assessment:

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

7th Brigade Assessment:

  • Suspected belligerent
    7th Brigade
  • 7th Brigade position on incident
    Not yet assessed

Summary

  • Civilian harm reported
    Yes
  • Civilians reported killed
    Unknown
  • Civilians reported injured
    4
  • 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, 7th Brigade

Sources (5) [ collapse]

Incident Code

LQ051

Incident date

July 2, 2017

Location

بنغازي‎, Municipal hotel, Benghazi, Libya

Geolocation

32.136111, 20.070833 Note: The accuracy of this location is to Exact location (via Airwars) level. Continue to map

Airwars assessment

Various sources reported 17 LNA airstrikes in central Benghazi near the municipal hotel.

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 (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
    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]